Drug Trafficking Research Articles

Awareness and knowledge of drug decriminalization among people who use drugs in British Columbia: a multi-method pre-implementation study

BackgroundIn January 2023, British Columbia implemented a three-year exemption to Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, as granted by the federal government of Canada, to decriminalize the personal possession of small amounts of certain illegal drugs. This decriminalization policy, the first in Canada, was announced in response to the overdose emergency in British Columbia as a public health intervention that could help curb overdose deaths by reducing the impact of criminalization and increasing access to health and social services through stigma reduction.MethodsThe current multi-method study examines people who use drugs’ awareness and knowledge of British Columbia’s decriminalization model through cross-sectional quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews among people who use drugs from September–November 2022, immediately prior to the implementation of decriminalization.ResultsQuantitative findings show that two-thirds (63%) of people who use drugs were aware of the policy, but substantial knowledge gaps existed about the legal protections afforded (threshold amount, substances included, drug trafficking, confiscation). The qualitative findings suggest that people who use drugs misunderstood the details of the provincial decriminalization model and often conflated it with regulation. Results suggest that information sharing about decriminalization were minimal pre-implementation, highlighting areas for knowledge dissemination about people who use drugs' rights under this policy.ConclusionsGiven that decriminalization in British Columbia is a new and landmark reform, and that the success of decriminalization and its benefits may be undermined by poor awareness and knowledge of it, efforts to share information, increase understanding, and empower the community, may be required to promote its implementation and benefits for the community.

ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and LDA: a rapid, non-destructive and cost effective strategy to trace the geographical origin of Cannabis sativa L

Abstract Cannabis recreational and/or medicinal use have been legalized in the past years in many states and countries. As a consequence, many Cannabis growers and product developers have emerged in a new market throughout the world; at the same time, issues regarding questionable quality control have also risen, as several reports on Cannabis users’ health-related problems caused by inaccurate labeling content in Cannabis-based medicines, edibles or other derivatives are being published and brought out to the public’s attention. These facts make traceability methodologies crucial whether for forensic use, such as drug trafficking eradication, or for quality control purposes of legal Cannabis and of products derived from it. Hence, the objective of this study was to analyze Cannabis by means of Attenuated Total Reflection Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) in order to assess the capability of this technique to trace the geographical origin of Cannabis cultivated in Brazil and in Colorado, United States of America. Forty-seven samples from Brazil and 18 samples from Colorado were analyzed by ATR-FTIR. Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) was employed to source the samples. The combination of ATR-FTIR and LDA achieved up to 95.23% accuracy in assigning Cannabis samples to their geographical locations of origin in Brazil and up to 100% in Colorado.

National and regional trends in seizures of shrooms (psilocybin) in the United States, 2017–2022

BackgroundPsilocybin, the principle psychoactive component in “shrooms”, is regaining acceptance in therapeutic settings, leading to media coverage of medical benefits associated with use. Possession is also becoming increasingly decriminalized throughout the United States. There is a lack of data on prevalence of shroom use, but trends in law enforcement seizure data can provide one indicator of shroom availability in US communities. We determined whether seizures of shrooms have shifted between 2017 and 2022. MethodsThis study examined national and regional trends in counts and total weight of shroom seizures reported to High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas in the US between 2017 and 2022 (N=4526). ResultsThere were 402 seizures in 2017 compared to 1396 in 2022 with the plurality occurring in the Midwest (36.0%), followed by the West (33.5%). Between 2017 Quarter 1 (Q1) and 2022 Quarter 4 (Q4), the number of seizures increased by 368.9% (AQPC=7.0; 95 CI: 5.9–8.1) and there were significant increases in all four regions. In terms of weight, 226.0kg was seized in 2017 vs. 844.0kg in 2022, and the greatest total weight in seizures was in the West (1864.2kg, 42.6%), followed by the South (1831.9kg, 41.8%). Between 2017 Q1 and 2022 Q4, the total weight seized in the US increased by 2749.7% (AQPC=6.2, 95% CI: 0.3–12.4) and there were significant increases in all four regions. ConclusionsSeizures of shrooms have increased, suggesting that availability may be escalating; thus, increases in prevention efforts and harm reduction education are warranted.

Directed Criminal Networks: Temporal Analysis and Disruption

We extend network analysis to directed criminal networks in the context of asymmetric links. We computed selected centralities, centralizations and the assortativity of a drug trafficking network with 110 nodes and 295 edges. We also monitored the centralizations of eleven temporal networks corresponding to successive stages of investigation during the period 1994–1996. All indices reach local extrema at the stage of highest activity, extending previous results to directed networks. The sharpest changes (90%) are observed for betweenness and in-degree centralization. A notable difference between entropies is observed: the in-degree entropy reaches a global minimum at month 12, while the out-degree entropy reaches a global maximum. This confirms that at the stage of highest activity, incoming instructions are precise and focused, while outgoing instructions are diversified. These findings are expected to be useful for alerting the authorities to increasing criminal activity. The disruption simulations on the time-averaged network extend previous results on undirected networks to directed networks.

Women in acute forensic psychiatric care: comparison of clinical, sociodemographic, and detention-related characteristics in pretrial detention, sentence execution, and court-ordered treatment

Compared to men inmates, women display decreased prevalence of severe mental disorder but increased occurrence of substance use disorders (SUD) and higher rates of previous contacts with mental health services. The group of women in detention is highly heterogeneous according to the status of incarceration (pre-trial detention (PTD), sentence execution (SE) and court ordered treatments (COT)). Studies focusing on the comparison of sociodemographic patterns, detention-related and clinical variables between these groups are still lacking. We explored these parameters in 136 women admitted for acute psychiatric care in the sole Geneva forensic unit during a nine year period (2014–2023). Sociodemographic and detention-related data included age, nationality, marital status, presence of children, education attainment, most frequently speaking language, social support, employment before conviction and type of offenses. Clinical variables included the main ICD-10 diagnosis, presence of concomitant SUD, type of personality disorders, presence of suicidal thoughts and attempts at admission, as well as number and mean duration of stays. PTD and SE women had at least 9 years of formal education in 38.9% and 30.3% of cases. Most women in PTD (77.7%), SE (56.6%) and COT (56.2%) groups were Swiss or European citizens. The level of French knowledge was excellent in most of the cases. 43.8% of COT women had at least one child and this percentage is even higher for PTD and SE cases. The employment rate before conviction was also quite high, mainly for PTD and SE (61.1% and 60.6%) and, in a lesser degree, for COT (43.8%) women. Significant social support was present in the vast majority of women without any significant group difference. The distribution of type of offenses did not differ between the three types of detention with a predominance of physical violence, and drug trafficking. The number of stays during the period of reference was significantly higher in COT compared to both SE and PTD women. History of previous inpatient care was also significantly more frequent in COT that SE and PTD women. Adjustment and affective disorders were more often found in SE and PTD cases, these diagnoses were absent in the COT group. In contrast, a main diagnosis of psychotic disorders was found in 62.5% of COT cases compared to only 21.2% in SE and 24.1% in PTD cases. The number of stays, history of inpatient care and diagnosis of psychosis were independent predictors of COT status. In conclusion, the present data reveal the good social integration and emotional support of women needing acute psychiatric care in prison independently of the type of detention. Clinically, women in PTD and SE display more often emotional distress whereas those in COT suffer from acute psychotic symptoms with previous history of psychiatric care and multiple inpatient stays.

Socio-Economic Catalysts and Trafficking Trends: Mapping Drug Addiction in Pakistan

This research article investigates the nexus between socio-economic catalysts, drug addiction, and trafficking trends in Pakistan. It explores how socio-economic factors such as poverty, unemployment, and societal pressures contribute to the rise of drug addiction in Pakistani communities. Furthermore, the study highlights the role of cultural norms and accessibility to drugs as significant contributors to addiction prevalence. By analyzing historical data, contemporary patterns, and case studies, the research elucidates the complex dynamics that fuel drug addiction and trafficking in Pakistan. It also emphasizes the need for comprehensive rehabilitation programs and international cooperation to combat the transnational nature of drug trafficking networks. The study reveals that the surge in drug users in Pakistan stems from societal challenges like poverty, unemployment, and illiteracy. Poverty acts as a primary catalyst, with a significant portion of the population below the poverty threshold. Unemployment due to limited work prospects and nepotism contribute to drug use, impacting both individual and familial identities. The consequences involve social stigma, legal complications, and financial burdens. The findings offer insights for policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and stakeholders to develop targeted interventions aimed at addressing the root causes of drug addiction while tackling the challenges posed by evolving trafficking dynamics in the country.

The Role of Non-State Actors in Conflict Resolution: A Comparative Analysis of Peacebuilding Efforts in Colombia and Nepal

This paper examines the role of non-state actors in conflict resolution through a comparative analysis of peacebuilding efforts in Colombia and Nepal. Drawing upon the experiences of NGOs, civil society organizations, religious institutions, and community-based groups, the study explores similarities, differences, and lessons learned from these contexts. In Colombia, non-state actors have confronted political violence and drug trafficking, while in Nepal, they have addressed ethnic tensions and Maoist insurgency. Despite distinct challenges, non-state actors in both countries have contributed to fostering dialogue, promoting reconciliation, and advocating for human rights. The analysis highlights the importance of inclusive approaches, dialogue facilitation, and community resilience in promoting sustainable peace. Policy implications and recommendations emphasize the need for supportive legal frameworks, conflict prevention strategies, and inclusive peace processes to empower non-state actors and advance peacebuilding efforts.

Crime and Sanctions: Beyond Sanctions as a Foreign Policy Tool

AbstractTargeted sanctions, namely asset freezes and travel bans, are no longer the province of foreign policy alone. They are increasingly often used by governments in response to crime, such as corruption, human rights abuse, cybercrime, drug trafficking, and transnational organized crime writ large. Such sanctions are imposed based on permissive evidential standards, such as that of “credible evidence” or “reasonable grounds to suspect.” Their advent has added a new layer to a multi-tier system of state responses to crime. First, there is the traditional approach of criminal prosecution and conviction based on the criminal standard of proof. Second, one rung below is non-conviction based asset forfeiture, a notionally civil confiscation of supposed proceeds of crime that eschews the need for compliance with a suite of criminal trial safeguards. At the third level of this hierarchy are crime-based targeted sanctions, which vest the state with the greatest latitude in dealing with suspected criminals. Based on a wide-ranging analysis of international practice, this article contends that not only are crime-based sanctions de facto a criminal justice tool, but also that a coherent set of principles is required to determine their relationship with other responses to criminal behavior.

Lifetime maximization of wireless sensor networks while ensuring intruder detection

Wireless sensor networks (WSN) have a wide variety of application areas and one of these areas is border crossing security. Unauthorized crossing of border areas, unauthorized arms and drug trafficking can be avoided at a lower cost and easier than conventional methods by monitoring the borders with the help of a WSN. In this study, we offer a mathematical model that guarantees the detection of possible intruders by scheduling the activities of the sensors whatever the route the intruder follows throughout the border zone or whatever the time the intruder enters to the route. To achieve the highest possible WSN management efficiency, we integrate coverage, routing, data routing, and sensor scheduling WSN design issues into the mathematical model. We first demonstrate the effectiveness of scheduling the sensors by the help of the offered mathematical model by comparing it against a random activity schedule of the sensors with respect to network lifetime and intruder detection ratio performance measures. We also develop a Lagrangean heuristic strategy to solve realistic sized instances of the proposed problem. We produce several random border zone instances with varying sizes and test the proposed solution strategy to illustrate the effectiveness of the offered solution strategy by comparing its performance against the performance of a commercial mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) solver.

LESSONS LEARNED: HOW FENTANYL IS IMPACTING ORGANIZED CRIME IN NORTH AMERICA

On November 15, 2023, Victoria Dittmar presented Lessons Learned: How Fentanyl is Impacting Organized Crime in North America for this year’s West Coast Security Conference. The presentation was followed by a question-and-answer period with questions from the audience and CASIS Vancouver executives. The key points discussed were how fentanyl is changing how law enforcement agencies in North America deal with drug trafficking, that fentanyl is a minuscule market and overlaps with legal markets, and that the drug has become democratized with cartels playing only a limited role. 
 
 Received: 01-14-2024
 Revised: 01-26-2024

SOME OF THE MODES OF OPERATION USED BY DRUG TRAFFICKERS

This article delves into the sophisticated and diverse methods employed by drug traffickers to evade law enforcement. It outlines the ingenious ways traffickers hide and transport narcotics, from using everyday vehicles modified with secret compartments to deploying complex drug manufacturing in clandestine laboratories. The study highlights the use of publictransportation systems and international postal services for drug movement, underscoring the challenges faced by authorities in detecting these covert operations. Additionally, it details various methods for the identification and detection of narcotics, emphasizing the necessity of advanced scientific techniques to combat this global issue. The article provides valuable insights into the evolving strategies of drug trafficking, offering a comprehensive understanding crucial for law enforcement and policy development.

Analyzing the Elements and Ramifications of Substance Abuse among Secondary School Students: A Case of Six Selected Secondary Schools in Chibombo District of Central Province, Zambia.

: This research examining the factors and consequences of drug abuse among secondary school pupils: a case of six selected secondary schools in Chibombo district of central province, Zambia. The study aimed at shedding light on the underlying factors contributing to drug abuse and its impact on the pupil’s population. The study used both qualitative and quantitative methods; empirical data was collected from pupils, teachers, school head teachers and education officer through questionnaire guides. The researcher used purposive and simple random sampling, whereby the researcher selected 200 respondents as drowned out from the research population; this included 2 officers from the ministry of education, 6 head teachers, 60 teachers and 132 pupils in six selected secondary schools in Chibombo district of Central province, Zambia. The data which was collected was analysed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS version 25 to produce outputs according to the research objectives. Therefore, the study found out that the burden of substance abuse is still high in our study population and the prevalence was significantly higher among students who had not received any formal teachings on the subject. It therefore becomes imperative to incorporate teachings on substance abuse into the national school curriculum for secondary school students. The National School Health Policy needs to be expanded to incorporate this vital issue. The law enforcement agents regulating drug trafficking in and out of Zambia should begin to beam their search lights on secondary school students.

Digitalization of services in the field of patients’ rights protection: current state and prospects for the development of legislation

This scientific article is devoted to the current problems of digital transformation in the field of health care and the introduction of electronic medical services. The main directions of introduction of the digitalization process in the sphere of medicines circulation in Ukraine are revealed, the attention is focused on the positive and negative moments of digitalization in the sphere of medicines circulation in Ukraine. Possible areas for improving digitalization in the field of circulation of medicines in Ukraine are identified, as well as the need to improve the legal regulation of digitalization in the field of circulation of medicines in Ukraine in order to protect the rights and interests of patients in the field of medicines. The article analyses the current state of legal regulation of digitalisation in the healthcare sector of Ukraine and the readiness to provide quality electronic healthcare services to patients. The authors have identified the need to adopt and amend regulations that would regulate the development of the electronic healthcare system, in particular, the introduction of an electronic public health system; electronic document management in the field of healthcare; implementation of measures to ensure the safety of medicines and the creation of an electronic prescription; expansion of the functions of the electronic system of state registers; automation of medical services; and legalisation of medical cannabis.
 The article examines the problems of legalisation of cannabis for medical purposes in Ukraine. International legal acts and standards in the field of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances are analysed. The authors review national legislative acts regulating the production and trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors.
 The article examines the German experience of legal support for patients’ access to the necessary medical cannabis treatment for various diseases and post-traumatic stress disorders. The article identifies the specifics of legal regulation of medical cannabis treatment services. The authors outline two types of medical cannabis treatment services - general and special, which differ in procedural features.

From ‘Territorial Peace’ to ‘Total Peace’ in Colombia: A Geopolitical Balance

ABSTRACT This forum discusses the concept of ‘total peace’ (paz total) and the notion of ‘peace regions’ (regiones de paz) recently coined by the government of Colombia to advance in the implementation of the Peace Accords signed back in 2016 with the guerrillas of the Revolutionary Armed Forces FARC. Broadly drawing on a radical and critical geopolitics perspective, the forum’s contributions offer a set of interpretations, exploring a wide range of different aspects, such as the relations with the previous concept of ‘territorial peace’ (paz territorial), the changing geographical dynamics of the armed conflict, the proliferation of unlawful armed structures and drug trafficking, and violent processes of capital accumulation. Moreover, specific themes such as environmental conflict, the political reintegration of the guerrillas, gender and differential approaches, and ethnic and peasant communities’ perspectives are also addressed, without losing sight of the more general question of the country’s territorial reordering.

Captagon and conflict: Drugs and war on the border between Jordan and Syria

ABSTRACT Captagon is an illegal amphetamine that is widely used in the Middle East. Since the civil war started in 2011, Syria has become an international hub for Captagon production. A main Captagon trafficking route runs from Syria to the Arabian peninsula via Jordan. This has caused increasing domestic consumption of Captagon in Jordan. This article asks how Captagon trafficking and use in Jordan intersects with war in Syria and its wider impact. It illustrates how drug trafficking can be the product of violence and can also become a conduit for further violence. The article firstly analyses the drugs-conflict nexus in Syria and emphasizes Captagon trafficking as a new case study to this literature. It unpacks the role of the state in the crime-conflict nexus. The second half of the article draws on critical border studies literature to illustrate how the illegal Captagon trade has increased violence by contributing to an increasingly militarized border, with significant consequences for the communities who live and work there. The study concludes by considering the implications of Captagon trafficking for peace and stability in Syria and the region.

Chain event graphs for assessing activity-level propositions in forensic science in relation to drug traces on banknotes

Abstract Graphical models can be used to compare support given by evidence to propositions put forward by competing parties during court proceedings. Such models can also be used to evaluate support for activity-level propositions, that is, propositions referring to the nature of activities associated with evidence and how this evidence came to be at a crime scene. Graphical methods can be used to show different scenarios that might explain the evidence in a case and to distinguish between evidence requiring evaluation by a jury and quantifiable evidence from the crime scene. Such visual representations can be helpful for forensic practitioners, police, and lawyers who may need to assess the value that different pieces of evidence make to their arguments. In this article, we demonstrate how chain event graphs (CEGs) can be applied to a drug trafficking case. We show how different evidence (i.e. expert judgement and data from a crime scene) can be combined using a CEG and show how the hierarchical model deriving from the graph can be used to evaluate the degree of support for different activity-level propositions in the case. We also develop a modification of the standard CEG to simplify its use in forensic applications.

Criminal Policy in Law Enforcement of Criminal Acts of Drug Circulation in the Digital Era

The process of proving narcotics trafficking cases in the digital era is closely related to the due process of law. However, if the proof process is carried out with legal defects, then the evidence obtained is also legally flawed, which renders it unusable as legal evidence before the trial. Considering this, the study aims to explore the criminal policy of law enforcement for narcotics trafficking in the digital era within the jurisdiction of Medan City, focusing on the factors that influence law enforcement and the criminal law enforcement policies for narcotics trafficking. This study adopts a normative legal research approach, using descriptive analysis and the statute approach. The data collection technique involves library research and interviews, with data analysis conducted through a qualitative method. The research results reveal that the most influential factor is the legal culture, as there is a stigma in law enforcement for narcotics crime, and everyone is suspected of being a dealer always seeking the lightest punishment and fast legal process. However, if the perpetrator is a narcotics user/abuser, there are Law Enforcement Officials who are unscrupulous and want the user to be subject to criminal sanctions as a dealer. In terms of law enforcement efforts, the penal policies carried out by law enforcement officials are still insufficient in eradicating narcotics trafficking in the digital era. The study suggests that with the support of the ITE Law regarding electronic evidence, law enforcement officials should be able to use these instruments in uncovering criminal cases to make it easier to prove. This is because, with the development of technology, information, and communication, the modes of drug trafficking are also growing rapidly.
 Keywords: criminal policy, digital era, narcotics circulation

Activities of the Collective Security Treaty Organization in Central Asia (2002–2022)

The article identifies the contribution of the Collective Security Treaty Organization in Central Asia (CSTO) to the process of ensuring security in Central Asia. Conceptual approaches to the CSTO in the foreign policy of the Russian Federation and its allies in the region are analyzed. The documents of the CSTO are examined, as well as its practical activities to ensure regional security, prevent military threats, combat extremism, and terrorism and drug trafficking. The peacekeeping activities of the CSTO are examined. At the same time, an answer is given to the question why the CSTO did not deploy a peacekeeping mission at the request of Kyrgyzstan during the unrest in 2010, but responded to a similar request from Kazakhstan during the January events of 2022.

Unpacking drug trafficking phenomenon through seaports: lessons from the Italian ports

ABSTRACT This article aims to provide an analysis of the factors influencing the operational strategies of drug trafficking organisations in the context of seaports. It seeks to move beyond a monolithic representation of this complex phenomenon by investigating the intricate interplay between legal and illicit spheres, as well as the diverse methodologies employed in the illicit transportation of drugs from vessels to destinations outside of ports. Drawing from empirical evidence gathered in the Italian context, the results reveal that drug trafficking through seaports is a multifaceted endeavour influenced by a combination of endogenous and exogenous factors. Internal factors within the network, such as organisational structure (including network size, control mechanisms, and member accountability) and resources (human, material, and informational), play a pivotal role in shaping drug trafficking organisations’ strategies. Additionally, external factors, including maritime dynamics, port economics, cultural aspects, and institutional determinants, significantly impact decision-making processes within these criminal organisations.

Применение мер противодействия отмыванию денег в ходе расследования преступлений, связанных с незаконным оборотом наркотиков в Казахстане

This article discusses the current problems of improving anti-money laundering measures in the investigation of crimes directly related to the illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in Kazakhstan. The author highlights the organizational and legal aspects of the identification and further investigation of criminal offenses related to drug trafficking, as well as the criminalistic characterization of their sale and subsequent money laundering. The practical experience of law enforcement agencies and international organizations whose activities are aimed at suppressing money laundering and drug trafficking is being studied. Based on the analysis, the author concludes that it is necessary to develop systematic measures to combat money laundering in the legalization of criminal proceeds. A study is being conducted on the activities of the informal organization Egmont group in recent years, information on money laundering from drug trafficking. The purpose of the study is to identify effective measures to combat money laundering by examining statistical data and empirical evidence of crimes related to illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. In studying this problem, various scientific research methods were used, which made it possible to objectively and comprehensively disclose certain provisions of the topic of the article. As a result of the conducted research, the author draws conclusions and suggests measures to counter money laundering in the shadow economy.