"Iron River" - you're joking, right?

These cartels can:

- effectuate mass synthesis of illicit substances in commercial laboratories

- handle massive intercontinental logistics

- build semi-submersible boats

- hire and kidnap radio engineers to help with communications and electronic warfare

but gee, they just can't figure out how to buy a machine shop and hire or kidnap talent to make 100-year-old firearm designs - that's just too much for them?