What your describing dose exist in Mexico today. For it to happen in the usa just recreate the conditions in Mexico.
USA is impoverished.
A close Neighbor becomes wealthy.
A valuable resource that can be found in American is made illegal by said neighbor.
Criminals in America begin Marketing this illegal product to its neighbor.
Once that in place you just give it enough time for your cartel to get enough of money to Essentially become a criminal version of Macdonald. Then they can begin controlling the government the same way modern corporations do only even more so since they have guns And the ethics or lack thereof to use them.