Nearly 30 thousand people were murdered in Mexico in 2017. The highest number in two decades. It's why the CIA compares the levels of violence with Iraq and Syria.

The drugs trade is at the epicentre of the crime wave. A huge increase in the production and supply has resulted in a multi billion pound black market and the competition among the cartels for a slice of the fortunes has left the police struggling to cope.

Extortion, kidnapping and murder are daily events.

Sky's Chief Correspondent Stuart Ramsay has been to the country to speak to those involved - the bosses, the police, the producers,the hitmen carrying out the violence and those affected.

Stuart tells Sky News presenter Tom Macleod about his experience covering the story, the terrifying stand-offs and the high-security visits to the poppy fields.