Mexico’s cartels are taking a $1.3 billion bite out of the economy through extortion—and they’re getting hungrier

It started with a phone call to a men’s clothing store in the heart of Mexico City’s historic center. “I need you to put together 10,000 pesos ($500) for me weekly, or else we’ll have to do something,” the voice said. The owner hung up and didn’t answer the phone again for days. But when another…