I don’t believe for a second this was done by an organized group of drug producers. They would know the wrath of God would be poured out on them over this. This was done by an individual (or 2 at most). Most likely a serial murderer type. Organized drug producers would have made the guy just disappear. The last thing they want is federal law enforcement snooping around. This was done by somebody who wanted the body to be found. Not in some attempt to scare others away, but simply to make themselves feel powerful by making the “ants” (normal people) scurry around looking for an answer. In the mean time, look for the media to use this as to attack conservatives.
I think you give these drug dealers way too much credit for intelligence. I remember quite a few years ago a bunch of teenagers happened on a group of drug smugglers near Panama City, FL.
The smartest thing they could have done was just scare them off and get out of the area. Instead they murdered them all and eventually got caught. It did take a long time tho.
A counter argument I read on Democratic Undereground (don't judge me): If he simply disppears there is an extensive county-wide search: If found with misleading clues, the investigation is concentrated in one area the drug operators can avoid.