DRUG TRAFFICKING ROUTES

INTRODUCTION
            Today, traffic in illegal drugs at the highest wholesale levels is controlled by international
organized crime syndicates from Colombia, Mexico, and other countries. From their
headquarters overseas, foreign drug lords produce and distribute unprecedented volumes of
cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin. The international nature of the drug business is
highlighted by the 2006 seizure by Colombian authorities of tons of potassium permanganate, a
chemical that is necessary for producing cocaine that was being smuggled from the Republic of
Korea to Colombia by Korean nationals.

            These traffickers maintain tight control of their workers through highly
compartmentalized cell structures that separate production, shipment, distribution, money
laundering, communications, security, and recruitment. Traffickers have at their disposal the
most technologically advanced aircraft, boats, vehicles, radar, communications equipment, and
weapons that money can buy. They have also established vast counterintelligence capabilities
and transportation networks. There is also the connection between drug trafficking and terrorism.

 What is DRUG TRAFFICKING?

            It is a global illicit trade involving the cultivation, manufacture, distribution and sale of
substances which are subject to drug prohibition laws.

Visit also https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/drug-trafficking/index.html

            There are two primary means of distribution:

a) hierarchy; and

b) hub-and-spoke layout.

            A hierarchical arrangement includes the manufacturer who uses his own men to
smuggle, wholesale and store, and distributes the drugs.

            A hub-and-spoke layout takes advantage of local gangs and other localized criminal
organizations. The cartel is at the center, with satellite manufacturer, and then there is plurality of
distinct groups, each with its own chain.

 DRUG SYNDICATE
            It is a network of evil. It is operated and manned by willful criminals who knowingly
traffic in human lives for the money. Large sum of money, they can make in their illegal and
nefarious trade. The set results of their commerce are physical and mental cripples, ruined lives,
and even agonizing death.

 DRUG MULES OR “DRUG COURIERS”

            They are individuals who transport dangerous drugs in exchange for a huge amount of
money, depending on the amount of drugs to be delivered and the route/distance to be traveled.

Visit also http://www.pnp.gov.ph/index.php/operations/483-drug-courier-or-drug-mule

 WHAT IS NARCO-TERRORISM?

            In its simplest sense, narco-terrorism can be defined as terrorism financed by profits from
illegal drug trafficking (Merriam-Webster Dictionary).

DRUG TRAFFICKING ROUTES

 Primary Illegal Drug Route

            The first important drug traffic route as illustrated above shows how illicit drugs are
distributed from its discovery, preparation up to marketing in the illicit market. It is noted that
plants such as the opium poppy as sources of dangerous drugs are cultivated and harvested
mostly in the areas of Middle East while Europe became center for drug manufacture and
synthesis. United States became the overall center for drug marketing.

 Secondary Drug Traffic Route

            The Golden Triangle refers to the border region between Thailand, Myanmar (Burma)
and Laos.

            Historically, the area was famous for its opium production and drug trade including drug
trafficking, violence and people smuggling. 
Visit also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Triangle_(Southeast_Asia)


o Golden Crescent

            It is the name given to one of Asia’s principal areas of illicit opium production located at
the crossroads of Central, South, and Western Asia.  This space overlaps three nations –
Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan whose mountainous peripheries define the crescent.

Visit also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Crescent

 DIFFERENT CRIME SYNDICATES:

                        Founded during the 1980’s by Columbian drug lords in the name of Pablo
Escobar Gaviria and drug bosses Jose Gonzalo Rodriguez Gacha and the top and cocaine barons
Juan David and the Ochoa Brothers.

                        Medellin Cartel was a highly organized and much-feared Colombian drug cartel
originating in Medellin, Colombia that operated throughout the 1970s and the 1980s in Bolivia,
Colombia, Panama, Central America, Peru and the United States, as well as in Canada and
Europe.


o Cali Cartel

                        The downfall of the Columbian Medellin Cartel is the rise of the Cali Cartel. The
newly emerged cocaine monopoly. Its founders were the Rodríguez Orejuela brothers, Gilberto
and Miguel, and José Santacruz Londoño, also known as "Don Chepe".

                        The Cali cartel was considered the most powerful criminal organization in the
world.

                        The cartel produces over 90% of cocaine in the world. Due to this, it was called
the best and the brightest of the modern underworld. “They are professionals of the highest
order, intelligent, efficient, imaginative, and nearly impenetrable” – US Drug Enforcement
Agency


o Chinese Triad (Also called the Chinese Mafia)

                        A criminal organization based in China, but with branches in North America
cities with a high Chinese immigrant population.

WORLD’S DRUG SCENE

1. Southeast Asia – the “Golden Triangle” approximately produces 60% of opium in the
world. 90% of opium in the eastern part of Asia. It is also the officially acknowledge
source of Southeast Asian Heroin.
2. Southwest Asia – the “Golden Crescent” is the major supplier of opium poppy, MJ and
Heroin products in the western part of Asia. It produces at least 85% to 90% of all illicit
heroin channeled in the drug underworld market.
3. Middle East – the Becka Valley of Lebanon is the biggest producer of cannabis in the
Middle East, Lebanon is also considered as the transit country for cocaine from South
America to European markets.
 4. Spain – major transshipment point for international drug traffickers in Europe known as
“the paradise of the drug users in Europe”.
5. South America – Columbia, Peru, Uruguay, and panama are the sources of all cocaine
supply ion the world.
6. Mexico – the number one producer of Marijuana in the world.
7. Philippines – the major transshipment point for the worldwide distribution of illegal
drugs such as shabu and cocaine from Taiwan and South America. The second world’s
supplier of MJ and the drug paradise of drug abusers in Asia.
8. India – center of the world’s drug map, leading to rapid addiction among its people.
9. Indonesia – Northern Sumatra has traditionally been the main cannabis growing area in
Indonesia. Bali Indonesia is an important transit point for drugs en route to Australia and
New Zealand.
10. Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand – the most favorable sites of drug distribution from
the “Golden Triangle” and other parts of Asia.
11. China – the transit route for heroin from “Golden Triangle” to H.K.
12. Hong Kong – the world’s transshipment point of all forms of heroin.
13. Japan – the major consumer of cocaine and shabu from U.S. and Europe.