Keen to move into the lucrative US heroin supply business, which until the late 1980s had been cornered by the Thais and Burmese, Colombian gangs began producing high quality heroin on home soil. Before moving into the US market they wanted a 'guinea pig' to test their product - to make sure it would sell. The idea was to 'test the water' - if Colombian heroin sold well in Puerto Rico, the cartels would expand into the heroin business in North America. Street dealers were given samples of heroin to give away whenever they sold any cocaine. Free 'taster' packs for potential users - the ultimate marketing ploy.
Colombian cartels are the largest single heroin supplier to the North American market.
Very soon people who had until then only been using cocaine became regular heroin users - and regular heroin buyers. The ploy was a success, and the market evidently ripe. The gangs moved quickly. Business in action. Drugs are produced, trafficked and consumed in most countries of the world - by many different nationalities, and via many different places.