What I don't get about this: most people seem to know (think?) this. So you'd think these guys have no income at all because no-one is trusting them so no-one buys from them. Yet after decades they're still there, in a lot of cities. So there must be something which works in this system. I find it hard to believe they survive off the occasional sell to a tourist. I mean, could be, but seems far fatched to me?
They scammed me when I was a kid (I wanted weed).
Don't you think I know what I'm talking about? You can buy drugs is Lisbon of course but real drug dealers aren't approaching thousands of people in the open streets of downtown Lisbon everyday!
Police leaves these guys alone because there is no real crime. Scamming tourists is hard to persecute. Not worth it!
They sell a lot because they will force people to buy whenever possible. Most people buy it to be left alone.
> Police leaves these guys alone because there is no real crime. Scamming tourists is hard to persecute. Not worth it!
Often there is crime: forcing people to buy it's petty crime but most will not complain unless there is violence. It's nearly impossible to jail them with the actual political zeitgeist, making it a waste of time and money. This impunity leaves room for retaliation also.