Yes, that's true, but the longer you stay in the cartel, the more money you make out of it, so you don't want to get out too early. But then you have to watch out for others in the cartel being as slimy as you... It sounds like a fun gambling game, ideal for wannabe CEOs

Oh you also have to watch out that there aren't any Italian families in the cartel, because they might not like your doube dealings, and you might end up megadead :)