Drug Trafficking Research Articles

The Impact of Insecurity on Tourist Perception of Destination Choice in Selected States in Nigeria

Security threats play a pivotal role in shaping tourist perceptions and the appeal of ecotourism destinations. This study assesses the impact of security concerns on travel decisions, safety perceptions, and destination appeal in Nigeria. Data were collected using a quantitative approach through structured questionnaires with domestic visitors and industry players in Ekiti, Niger, and Osun States. A stratified random sampling method that ensured diverse representation was used. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical analyses, including multiple regression, using the R statistical package. Results indicate that security factors explain 46.4% of the variation in visitation likelihood, 48% in safety concerns, and 22.7% in destination appeal. While terrorism and ethnic/religious conflict positively influence visitation, banditry and corruption deter tourists. Safety concerns are heightened by kidnapping and drug trafficking. The results show the need for improved governance, stronger law enforcement, and strategic crisis management to enhance security and restore confidence in ecotourism. Policymakers and stakeholders should implement proactive measures to mitigate security risks and ensure sustainable tourism development in Nigeria

Lessons from the Syria‐Hezbollah Criminal Syndicate, 1985–2005

AbstractHezbollah, founded with the intention of destroying Israel, has long engaged in illicit efforts to amass resources the size of some states’ coffers. The Lebanese group's long‐running global criminal syndicate with the Assad regime, initially forged in the 1980s, more recently allowed it to fight for more than a decade in the Syrian conflict and to launch attacks on Israel for more than a year during the Gaza war. This article traces the roots of Hezbollah's illicit financial operations, focusing on its collaboration with high‐ranking Syrian officers and officials during their country's intervention in Lebanon. It leverages declassified IDF and CIA intelligence reports, Israeli and US government documents, and media reports in Arabic and Hebrew to reveal how the Hezbollah‐Syrian partnership engaged in global drug trafficking, currency counterfeiting, and money laundering, then repatriated the earnings. The analysis then suggests how countermeasures used in the past could be repurposed to combat Hezbollah's financing for terrorism and military buildup, and it proposes some new methods, as well.

THE CURRENT STATE OF THE PROBLEM OF ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ADDICTION AMONG UKRAINIAN STUDENTS

Youth drug addiction and alcoholism are still a pressing problem today, despite the work being done with students to prevent drug abuse and suppress illegal trafficking, as well as alcohol consumption. Recently, there has been a high increase in the incidence of alcoholism among young people. The number of young people suffering from alcoholism is 20.7% per 100 thousand of the population. It is believed that alcoholism and drug addiction, caused in some cases by the use of low-alcohol drinks, as well as modern psychotropic substances - spice, are more common in adolescence and young age than in adulthood. This is due to the fact that this category is more vulnerable, immature, their body is more sensitive and therefore the risk of becoming an alcoholic or drug addict increases. Modern scientists develop in great detail the explanation of the emergence of alcohol and drug addiction and identify three main groups of drug addiction factors: sociological, biological and psychological. The problem of drug addiction has reached its peak in Ukraine. This is confirmed by the data provided in the National Strategy of Ukraine on Drugs for the period until 2020): the ratio of the number of drug addicts in Ukraine remains 33 people per 10 thousand population, which significantly exceeds the level in most civilized countries of the world. The low effectiveness of preventive work, treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts remains a serious problem. Of particular danger is the drug trafficking of heroin and cocaine through the territory of Ukraine to the countries of the European Union, the growth of drug trafficking and corruption, the growth of illegal trafficking of synthetic drugs, and the rejuvenation of drug users. This problem also greatly affects such a segment of the population as students, starting from the first and ending with the last years.

‘Sundi’, a New Form of Snuff and Substance Abuse Among Residents of the Tamale Metropolis, Northern Ghana

This study investigates the use of “sundi”, a substance abused by people in the Tamale Metropolis. It identified the types of “sundi” commonly used among adults, such as AK47 Boss, Hajia Ayisha manpower, Sheihu Barhama etc. The process of using the ‘sundi’ in its moist form is called “soobu”. The study employed qualitative approach. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to identify 80 participants. Data were collected through interview guide and focus group discussions with both men and women residing in the Tamale Metropolis. Through thematic analysis of the data, key themes emerged from the interviews, including knowledge of “sundi”, individual experience with the “sundi”, types of “sundi” and health implications of the use of “sundi”. The key theme that emerged from the focus group discussions is the “sundi” consumption patterns. The study revealed diverse insights into the impact of “sundi” substance on individuals and the community, indicating the reasons for “sundi” use and the various substances that are often mixed with it. The study makes recommendations to the Ghana Health Services, the Ministry of Health, Ghana Education Service, to implement comprehensive drug prevention programs, and strengthen law enforcement efforts to combat drug trafficking. Also, emphasizing awareness creation about the dangers of substance abuse and promoting community engagement is vital in tackling this complex issue. This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge on narcotic substance abuse and provides valuable insights to policymakers, healthcare professionals, and stakeholders working towards the prevention of drug abuse in the Tamale Metropolis. In conclusion, this study found that substance abuse has heavily impacted negatively on the lives of the young people in the Tamale metropolis.

Expertise in the Context of “Pharmacy” drug Addiction

The problem of expertise in the context of "pharmacy" drug addiction is a complex interdisciplinary issue affecting legal, medical and criminological aspects. In the context of growing abuse of drugs containing narcotic and psychotropic substances, expertise plays a key role in identifying crimes related to the illegal trafficking of such drugs, determining their impact on the condition of the accused and victims, as well as establishing cause-and-effect relationships. The main problems of expertise in this area are: insufficient regulation of research methods in forensic chemical and pharmaceutical expertise; difficulties in determining the legal status of a number of drugs containing controlled substances; the lack of a unified methodology for diagnosing addiction caused by pharmaceutical drugs; as well as a shortage of qualified specialists. The article considers ways to improve forensic practice, including through legislative reforms, standardization of analysis methods and advanced training of experts.

Illicit Trade in Wartime: Ukraine’s Trends and Challenges for Counteraction

Abstract This theoretical and empirical study describes and explains the patterns of changes in domestic illicit trade and related transnational illicit flows of goods, services and money during the extreme social crises based on the case of the war in Ukraine. Depending on the legal status of the civil circulation of items, illicit trade is categorized into two groups: illicit (criminal) trade outside the economic sphere; and illicit (illegal) trade within the economic sphere. Typical destructive practices and their peculiarities during the war are considered in each group of illicit trade with the use of quantitative and qualitative methods. In terms of the dichotomy “war as a cause and consequence of crime”, this article addresses significant transformations in established criminal activities outside the official economy, such as drug trafficking and human trafficking, while also highlighting newly emerging crimes, specifically the illegal movement of conscripts across national borders. Furthermore, the article explores illegal trade within the economy, focusing on the trade in excisable goods and the new growing issue of abuse of humanitarian aid. The authors discuss the main deficiencies in adequate counteraction related to both war circumstances and systematic problems of state institutions, in particular, the criminal justice system.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Soft Drugs Legalisation at State Level

The relevance of the study lies in the contrasting perspectives on the legalisation and decriminalisation of soft drugs beyond their medical applications. Although there is ongoing public discussion over the benefits of legalizing soft drugs, Ukraine’s current legal system does not represent a cohesive strategy. The study aims to conduct a substantiated study of the disadvantages and advantages of the legalisation of soft drugs at the state level, with a forecast of risks associated with the introduction of permissive mechanisms for their use for recreational purposes, and to compare national peculiarities with the positions of legislators of other countries and existing experience in this area. To achieve this goal, the method of analysing approaches and instruments for regulating drug trafficking at the supranational and local levels of different countries. The results of the research on this topic are as follows: content and peculiarities of the concepts of “legalisation” and “decriminalisation” for use in the context of the study of soft drugs were determined; generalised provisions on classification of soft drugs as a separate type of drugs were reflected; the positive and negative impact of legalisation of these substances was assessed with due regard to the existing world experience; possible risks and recommendations for introducing soft drugs into free circulation through their legalisation in Ukraine were formulated. The results obtained during the study constitute a substantial theoretical basis and can be used for further study of the problematic issues of soft drugs’ authorisation at the state level in Ukraine or abroad.

Qualitative Study on the Roles of Social Workers in Multi-Disciplinary Anti-Trafficking Teams in Enugu State, Nigeria

Recent reports indicate that human trafficking is the third-largest growing crime syndicate globally, with links to other crimes such as drug trafficking, organ harvesting, and sex trafficking. Nigeria, both a source and destination country for human trafficking, has seen a rise in reported cases. Multi-disciplinary anti-trafficking teams have been established to combat this growing crisis. However, there is limited research on the specific roles of social workers in these teams. Therefore, this phenomenological study aimed to investigate the contributions of social workers to multi-disciplinary anti-trafficking teams in Enugu state. In-depth interviews were conducted with 15 participants, including seven survivors of human trafficking and eight service providers. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Findings revealed that while social workers are primarily recognized for their curative interventions, their roles in prevention, such as protection and rehabilitation for trafficking-vulnerable populations, are often underutilized. The study also revealed that social workers in Nigeria collaborate with professionals in the legal and health sectors to strengthen anti-trafficking efforts. Future research should examine the legal and policy frameworks supporting social workers within multi-disciplinary anti-trafficking teams in Nigeria. These structures ensure effective coordination, resource allocation, and accountability among key stakeholders.

Hide and seek with falsified medicines: Current challenges and physico-chemical and biological approaches for tracing the origin of trafficked products.

Hide and seek with falsified medicines: Current challenges and physico-chemical and biological approaches for tracing the origin of trafficked products.

Community Leaders Confronting Inequalities in a Highly Vulnerable Territory in Cubatão, São Paulo: Perceptions and Articulations

This article aims to investigate how community leaders think, feel, live, and act in the struggle for better living conditions in a highly vulnerable territory, while reflecting on the articulations that occur within it. The research employed a qualitative documentary method based on a pre-existing database. The information was processed and systematized using Atlas.ti software and analyzed using Thompson’s Depth Hermeneutics, along with González-Rey’s Qualitative Epistemology. The results showed that, upon arriving in the territory, the primary concerns were the lack of infrastructure and basic sanitation. Today, the main challenges are issues related to drug trafficking and the future of adolescents. It is concluded that community leaders contribute to the reorganization of the community in response to challenges and difficulties. They serve as a hub for initiatives, demonstrating a strong capacity for articulation and mobilization to foster community development and empowerment.

The Economics of Drug Trafficking on Security in West Africa: an Overview of the Gambia

Illicit proceeds from drug trafficking distort the economy to the detriment of legal businesses and markets. The objective of the study provides an in-depth analysis of the economic nature of drug trafficking in The Gambia. The study adopted the exploratory qualitative research design. This approach was used to examine how drug trafficking is an emerging national security threat to The Gambia. The study interviewed various government officials, including the Drug Law Enforcement Agency, The Gambia's Ministry of Health, the Financial Intelligence Unit, and a former drug trafficker using non-probability and purposive sampling methods. Primary data was collected through in-depth oral interviews, while secondary data was gathered from journal articles, newspapers, reports, national legal documents, and reputable websites. The Gambia and West Africa face a growing national security threat from drug trafficking, exacerbated by factors like poverty, unemployment, instability, corruption, and porous borders, affecting social, economic, environmental, health, and education sectors. The study revealed that both women and children are involved in the illicit drug trade. The study reveals that, aside from the economic benefits, drug trafficking poses not only a rising national security threat but also a global security threat.

Cyber Patrol and AI-Based Investigations to Disrupt Online Drug Transactions in Indonesia

The rise of online drug transactions in Indonesia presents significant challenges for law enforcement due to the anonymity and rapid communication enabled by digital platforms. This study explores the use of cyber patrols and artificial intelligence (AI) in combating these illicit activities, employing a qualitative approach with interviews from four key informants: a cybercrime police officer, a cybersecurity expert, a policy analyst, and an academic. The findings reveal that while cyber patrols serve as an essential tool in identifying and disrupting drug trafficking activities, their effectiveness is often limited by technological and operational constraints. AI emerges as a transformative solution, enabling advanced data analysis and predictive capabilities, though its implementation faces hurdles such as legal ambiguity and resource limitations. The study concludes with actionable recommendations, including increased investment in technology, capacity building, regulatory reforms, and fostering public-private and international collaborations. These strategies are crucial for strengthening Indonesia’s capacity to combat online drug trafficking and ensure a safer digital ecosystem.

KONTRA INTELIJEN DALAM MENGHADAPI OPERASI RAHASIA (CLANDESTINE) ASING MELALUI PENYELUNDUPAN NARKOBA DI INDONESIA

Indonesia is facing a critical drug crisis, not only as a consumer but also as a producer of narcotics. Drug abuse, once concentrated in major urban centers, has now permeated even the most remote regions, with an estimated 3.3 million users, or approximately 1.73% of the population. The country has become a primary target for large-scale drug smuggling, with around 80% of illicit substances entering through maritime routes, while the rest are trafficked via air transport and land borders. Beyond mere profit-driven criminal activity, strong indications suggest that drug trafficking is part of a broader covert operation by foreign entities aimed at weakening Indonesia’s national resilience. This operation systematically targets the younger generation, eroding moral integrity and mental strength, ultimately destabilizing the nation from within. While direct evidence of such clandestine foreign involvement remains elusive, numerous indicators point to its existence. However, the challenge lies in the highly secretive nature of these operations, making them difficult to identify and counter. Moreover, Indonesia has yet to fully recognize and address drug smuggling as a potential strategic maneuver orchestrated by external forces. To effectively combat this existential threat, Indonesia must go beyond conventional counter-narcotics efforts and adopt an intelligence-driven approach. A well-coordinated and highly classified counterintelligence strategy is essential to detect, disrupt, and neutralize these clandestine operations. This requires a structured and systematic intelligence framework that integrates advanced methodologies, tactical precision, and covert operational capabilities. By doing so, Indonesia can fortify its national security, safeguard its younger generation, and dismantle any covert attempts to undermine its sovereignty.

Privacy, Promotion, and Platform Pitfalls: The Case of How Telegram’s Marketing Approach Inadvertently Attracted Illicit Actors

ABSTRACT This paper examines how Telegram's market positioning, digital marketing strategies, and privacy-oriented business model have unintentionally created an attractive environment for criminal activities. Applying established marketing frameworks—including the Segmentation, Targeting, Positioning (STP) model and the marketing mix (4Ps: Product, Price, Place, Promotion)—alongside consumer behavior theories of trust and anonymity, this study analyzes Telegram's business practices. A comprehensive literature review on platform marketing, digital anonymity, cybersecurity, and darknet market theory provides contextual grounding within broader academic discussions. The analysis reveals that Telegram's broad market positioning, minimal governance, and emphasis on user privacy significantly facilitate criminal activities, such as identity theft, drug trafficking, and dissemination of illicit materials. The paper proposes strategic and policy recommendations emphasizing the importance of achieving a balance between safeguarding user privacy and mitigating the exploitation of digital platforms for illicit purposes. This research uniquely integrates traditional marketing frameworks and consumer behavior theories with cybersecurity literature to evaluate Telegram’s unintended role in enabling online criminal ecosystems.

Las Actividades de Inteligencia Policial para el Combate de las Organizaciones Criminales Transnacionales que Afectan la Seguridad Nacional

This article examines the role of police intelligence activities in the fight against Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) that threaten national security, based on the analysis of three key studies: Escalante (2023), Miranda (2023), and Martínez et al. (2024). Escalante highlights the usefulness and legal boundaries of Special Investigation Techniques (SITs); Miranda reveals how transnational criminal alliances strengthen drug trafficking and weaken the State; while Martínez et al. emphasize the importance of the strategic analyst’s profile in anticipating threats. This analysis helps assess the strengths and weaknesses of the police intelligence system, proposing improvements aimed at a more preventive, effective, and human rights–respectful response to TCOs.

Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Analytics to Break Drug Networks: Lessons from Law Enforcement in Indonesia

The rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data Analytics has transformed various sectors, including law enforcement and criminal investigation. This study aims to explore how Indonesian law enforcement agencies are utilizing AI and Big Data to combat drug trafficking networks. Using a qualitative approach, data was collected through in-depth interviews with five key informants, including law enforcement officials, legal experts, and technology practitioners. The results show that AI technologies, such as predictive analytics, surveillance systems, and facial recognition, have enhanced intelligence gathering, suspect identification, and crime pattern analysis. However, challenges remain, including limited technological infrastructure, lack of trained personnel, legal and ethical concerns, and weak inter-agency coordination. By examining global best practices from countries like the United States, China, and the European Union, the study provides recommendations to improve Indonesia's capacity in using AI and Big Data for drug enforcement. The findings contribute to theoretical frameworks such as Routine Activity Theory and Crime Pattern Theory, emphasizing the proactive role of technology in crime prevention. Strengthening infrastructure, legal frameworks, and collaboration across agencies is essential for the effective integration of AI and Big Data in Indonesia's war on drugs.

Armadillos, hippopotamuses and biopolitcs in "The Sound of Things Falling" by Juan Gabriel Vásquez

The Sound of Things Falling (2011), a novel by Colombian author Juan Gabriel Vásquez, explores the relationship between humans and animals within a society traumatized by violence. In this article I briefly discuss human/animal studies in literature; I then outline Giorgio Agamben’s theory of biopolitics in the context of human/animal studies. Utilizing Agamben’s framework, I offer a biopolitical reading of The Sound of Things Falling. I explore how biopolitics illuminates the life of a pet armadillo which appears in the novel, an animal which scholars have ignored in literary criticism. I argue that the armadillo’s life reveals the biopolitical system which upholds specious boundaries separating humans and animals. I examine how the armadillo exposes the categories of sovereign power functioning in the novel, particularly as they relate to drug trafficking. I also offer an analysis of the hippopotamuses within the novel, a topic which scholars have discussed at length. I contend that literary criticism has overlooked the character of Ricardo Laverde with respect to his relationship to the hippos. I develop a reading which highlights the connections between Laverde and the hippos, not to interpret the animals merely through an anthropocentric lens as a metaphor for Laverde, but to show the interweaving of their stories as warnings against the violence in biopolitical formations. Through these readings I demonstrate that Vázquez employs animals in the novel to emphasize the vulnerability of all bodies within the biopolitical structures and institutions in Colombian society.

Kaedah Penyeludupan Dadah yang Dijalankan Sindiket Penyeludupan Dadah dari Segi Tiga Emas Thailand ke Malaysia

Drug smuggling is a threat faced by all countries, including Malaysia. The existence of Thailand’s Golden Triangle in the early 1950s led to the entry of drugs into Malaysia by drug trafficking syndicates. The country’s proximity to Thailand’s Golden Triangle has led to drug trafficking syndicates, making Malaysia a transit hub for international drug smuggling and distribution. Drug smuggling syndicates are always looking for ways to bring drugs into Malaysia using various types of smuggling methods to obscure the security forces that guard the country’s borders. This situation occurs because there is a high demand for drug supply. This study was conducted to identify the drug smuggling methods that drug smuggling syndicates have used to bring in drugs from the Golden Triangle of Thailand to Malaysia. The study used a qualitative method based on two data sources: primary data and secondary data. Primary data were obtained through a process of field research and interviews with informants. Meanwhile, secondary data sources were obtained from scholarly books, academic theses, journal articles and official government documents. The findings of the study describe the methods used by drug smuggling syndicates to bring in drugs from the Golden Triangle of Thailand to Malaysia, as well as the factors that cause the entry of drugs from abroad.

Analyzing the Multidimensional Non-traditional Security Challenges in North Africa and Regional Implication

The non-traditional security challenges in North Africa have experienced significant changes in recent years. In addition to conventional military issues, the region has experienced many problems, such as drug trafficking, illegal immigration movements, smuggling, the Arab Spring, and the consequences of the global 'War on Terror' launched after the events of 9/11. Most research on North African security concentrates on threats within the traditional paradigms of military matters and terrorism. Nevertheless, this paper considers the overall parameters of an expanded North African regional non-traditional security. It focuses on four specific issues: illegal immigration movement, water scarcity, drug trafficking, and smuggling. The study indicates that if coordinated action is not taken, the interaction of these non-conventional risks can erode the future stability and growth of North Africa.

Challenges of conquering maritime trade routes on the XXI century. Trump’s return: the Panama Canal, Greenland, the Galapagos Islands and sea control

The expansion policy of the United States was born from its strategic thinkers, who saw the sea as a means of conquest and hegemony, which after the world conflicts in the 20th century, has allowed it to strengthen its economic power based on multiple alliances, as well as the development of a merchant fleet and a Navy to defend them, with the result that the nation that dominates the sea, dominates the world. Given this situation, the return of Donald Trump marks a beginning, where he seeks for this nation to recover its hegemony against its economic and military rivals such as China and Russia, which have a growing economic and military presence throughout the world, expanding to the sea. Given this problem, the main objective of this essay is to analyze Donald Trump's performance in relation to his positions to regain his political and economic hegemony through the Panama Canal, Greenland, as well as the future of the Galapagos Islands, in the face of China's constant economic presence in South America. The main result shows how the sea constitutes a strategic reserve which contains the necessary resources for the survival of any nation; while its main conclusion focuses on the geopolitical role that the sea plays, and how the “Choke Points” have triggered the interest of Donald Trump, having his attention on the Panama Canal, Greenland, depending on this the future of the Galapagos Islands as a strategic point to operate planes and ships from this position, for the fight against drug trafficking and the defense of the Panama Canal.