I'm actually surprised at how well a camp is left alone out in the woods or desert. I've been camping everywhere in the state, including many times in the Coronado Monument area that is a very heavy 'illegals' trail. There isn't a single shady tree that doesn't have garbage under it from a visit, yet I've never encountered a nefarious soul, or had my camp raided. I have seen daily evidence of passage thru the night.
BTW, the drug runner angle isn't such a worry as they aren't any more armed than the the familys.
I never pack up my kitchen stuff or hide food from anything but the sun, so it's not like I'm not an easy target.
It could be the obvious, the vehicles I park scream "man with gun" , but I am still surprised.
Don't get me wrong, I despise the illegal activity, have no respect for it at all, But I really haven't seen the problem. it's my guess, that as we become more and more 'diverse', it's just a matter of time till we start seeing a bit f camp maraudings.
You're out a lot Cpn, any encounters where you called law enforcement?