Drug Trafficking: Crime, Law and Social Change

📄 Words:	1139
📝 Subject:	Criminal Law & Juvenile Justice
📑 Pages:	4
✍️ Type:	Essay

Transnational crimes are a growing problem in the U.S., Brazil, and Libya. The countries are ranked in the first one-third, middle and last one-third in the 2019 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), respectively. One of the most prevalent international crimes is drug trafficking. Drug trafficking is a significant issue in all three countries and has a negative impact on each nation(UNION, 2019). In the U.S., drug trafficking is a trouble-causing issue. Drugs such as heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine are smuggled into the country from other countries. These drugs are then sold on the streets, often to people who are addicted to them. This results in several problems, including crime and violence (Kassab & Rosen, 2019). In Brazil, most of the drugs that are smuggled into the country come from Colombia. These drugs are then sold on the streets or in nightclubs. This results in many problems, including crime and violence. In Libya, drug trafficking is also a problem. However, most of the drugs smuggled into the country come from Europe. These drugs are then sold on the black market. This results in some problems, including crime and violence.

The United States is one of the world’s largest consumers of illegal drugs. In essence, most illegal drugs in the United States are trafficked from other countries making the country a destination for drug trafficking. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is the primary federal agency investigating drug trafficking in the United States. According to the DEA’s 2019 National Drug Threat Assessment, Mexican drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) maintain the greatest presence in the United States, followed by Colombian, Dominican, and Chinese DTOs. According to the DEA, drug trafficking in the United States generates billions of dollars in profits each year. Most of these profits are funneled back to drug-producing countries, which are often used to finance criminal and terrorist activities.

The narcotics trade is a booming business in Brazil. Every year, tons of cocaine, marijuana, heroin, and other drugs are destined for the country. The drugs come from all over South America, as well as from other continents. The Brazilian government has estimated that the drug trade is worth billions annually (Gonçalves et al., 2022). This money goes to the drug cartels, which use it to buy weapons, bribe officials, and fund their operations. The cartels are very powerful and have enormous control over the drug trade in Brazil. The drug trade has a negative impact on Brazilian society. Drug addiction is a serious problem, leading to crime and violence. The drug trade also fuels corruption and undermines the rule of law. The Brazilian government is trying to combat the drug trade, but it is difficult.

Drug trafficking is a big business in Libya, considering it is a transit point for drugs from Europe and the Middle East. Libya is both supplier and destination of narcotics since drug traffickers take advantage of the country’s instability to smuggle drugs into and out of the country. The most common drugs trafficked in Libya are hashish and cocaine. Hashish is trafficked from Morocco to Libya and then to Europe (Mangan, 2020). Cocaine is trafficked from South America to Libya and then to Europe. Libya is also a transit point for drugs coming from Asia. Heroin and methamphetamine are trafficked from Afghanistan and Pakistan to Libya and Europe. The extent of drug trafficking in Libya is difficult to measure. However, drug trafficking is a problem that cannot be understated in the country. Drug traffickers are taking advantage of the country’s instability to smuggle drugs into and out of the country. This is having a negative impact on the country’s economy and security.

Country/conductive factors	The U.S.	Brazil	Libya
Borders	Borders play a significant role in drug trafficking by providing a way for drug traffickers to move large quantities of drugs into the country and distribute them to dealers and customers. They grant a way for drug traffickers to avoid detection by law enforcement.	Considering that Brazil is a large country with a long coastline, it is easy for drug traffickers to bring drugs into the country. Additionally, Brazil shares borders with many South American countries, which makes it a convenient transit point for drug trafficking.	The Libyan Civil War has led to an increase in drug trafficking in the country. The war has disrupted the government’s ability to control its borders and has allowed criminal organizations to take advantage of the situation.
power	Drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) use violence and intimidation to maintain control over drug markets and to protect their turf from rival DTOs. They use their power to corrupt public officials and influence government policies.	Drug traffickers use their power to control the drug trade and to protect their interests. They use their power to influence the government, evade the law, intimidate their rivals, and keep their customers loyal.	The Libyan conflict has created a power vacuum that has allowed criminal groups to take control of the drug trade. The lack of security and the presence of armed groups make it difficult for the Libyan government to control the drug trade.
Corruption	It has been estimated that drug trafficking is responsible for as much as 80% of the illicit drug trade in the United States. This corruption allows drug traffickers to operate with impunity and evade law enforcement.	Several high-profile corruption scandals have recently involved Brazilian politicians and public officials. These scandals have led to a loss of public trust in the government and its ability to combat drug trafficking effectively.	Officials at all levels of the Libyan government are involved in the illicit trade, which includes the production, transportation, and sale of drugs. Corruption allows drug traffickers to operate with impunity and to avoid detection and prosecution.
Population needs	Drug demand in the United States is a major contributor to drug trafficking.	The demand for drugs is high in Brazil, which has resulted in a thriving drug trade making Drug gangs increasingly powerful and influential.	The population needs in Libya are significant, as many people are displaced and lack necessities. This makes them susceptible to being recruited by drug traffickers, who often promise them money and other benefits in exchange for working for them.

Conclusively, many factors contribute to drug trafficking in different countries. In the United States, some of the most important factors are corruption, the needs of the population, and the power dynamics between different groups. Corruption allows drug traffickers to bribe officials and access resources they would not otherwise have. In Libya, corruption and the instability of the government are two of the most important factors. Population needs create a demand for drugs, which traffickers can exploit. In Brazil, the most important factors are the porous borders and the high demand for drugs. Borders provide traffickers with opportunities to smuggle drugs into countries where they can be sold for a profit.

References

Gonçalves, V. S., Lages, L. B., & Leocádio, V. A. (2022). Defenders at Law: Assessing the performance of legal defense on Drug Trafficking cases in Brazil. Crime, Law and Social Change, 1-23. Web.

Kassab, H. S., & Rosen, J. D. (2019). General trends in drug trafficking and organized crime on a global scale. In Illicit markets, organized crime, and global security, 87-109. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-90635-5_5

Mangan, F. (2020). Illicit drug trafficking and use in Libya:. United States Institute of Peace. Web.

UNION, A. (2019). Corruption perceptions index 2018. Web.

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