Americans seem to like shows about drug runners almost as much as they like the drugs themselves. And while many of the greatest narco stories are mostly police procedurals like “The Wire,” there are a handful of standout shows that focus at least as much on the criminals and cartels as they do on the cops or agents trying to catch them. But beware: These violent delights definitely have violent ends.

‘Weeds’ (2005-2012)

The only comedy on the list, Showtime’s “Weeds” memorably repurposed Malvina Reynolds’ folk classic “Little Boxes” as the theme song in this story of suburban housewife Nancy Botwin (Mary Louise Parker). Botwin becomes a marijuana kingpin when her husband dies unexpectedly, leaving her with a pile of debt and no way to support their children, teenage Silas (Hunter Parris

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