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Why were the addicts periodically taken by the "bad guys" to the camp in the desert in the fifth season of Bosch? There doesn't seem to be any reason stated or implied.

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Because they could be contained and controlled there.

Recall, these are addicts and, by their nature, erratic. By removing them from their normal locales and isolating them in the desert, the bad guys not only have the addicts out of sight but it also leaves the addicts nowhere to go.

Contrast this with locking them up in a warehouse or abandoned house. If they escape they are immediately available to law enforcement.

In the desert, they can't escape and they are entirely dependent on the bad guys for their next fix.

As raised in the comments, the timeline of Bosch's interactions in the camp is somewhat unclear. He only goes there once but Elizabeth mentions that she is familiar with it.

This would imply that Elizabeth has been there a number of times but the time gap between Bosch's arrival and previous interactions with Elizabeth (in Narcotics Anonymous) and elsewhere seems fluid (on a single watch through).

So it's possible that the inmates of the desert location are given some freedom until they are needed by the bad guys and then put back into "rotation" for a set period of time.

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  • But there's still extended periods where they continue their normal lives in between.
    – Napoleon Wilson
    Commented May 3, 2019 at 12:44
  • Is there? Do we see that? I don't recall that.
    – Paulie_D
    Commented May 3, 2019 at 14:15
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    What I mean is, they aren't held captive there for the rest of their lives, only for a the few days it takes for them to travel around the state cashing in their receipts. After that they get sent home again. That's how Bosch first meats Elizabeth and the other guy afterall, in his house and in the AAA (or whatever the painkiller equivalent) meeting. Elizabeth also strongly implies she's been at the camp various times.
    – Napoleon Wilson
    Commented May 3, 2019 at 14:44
  • Though, I guess the answer still makes sense insofar as it's still easier to fly/drive them around the state from the camp whenever they do a receipt run every few weeks.
    – Napoleon Wilson
    Commented May 3, 2019 at 14:46
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    When Bosch asks her where they're going she says "to hell" or something, implying she knows where they go. She also talks like she's acquainted with the place and its "customs" when they have a moment talking at the camp.
    – Napoleon Wilson
    Commented May 3, 2019 at 14:55

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