The War on Drugs is not metaphorical, and actually consists of a set of undeclared conflicts fought domestically by the police against the general population and its irregular fighters, and internationally by US intelligence services in conjunction with the various fascist dictatorships that the US establishes and maintains around the world.
It’s an older map, US gov is source. https://www.justice.gov/archive/ndic/pubs38/38661/app-a.htm
Interesting how many of gangs are located on major highway systems and in truck stop towns. Not surprised though and I’m betting human trafficking networks probably look the same.