Drug trafficking

Drug trafficking is the illegal transport and sale of drugs from one part of the country to another or from one country to another. Widespread networks of interrelated groups, exist which employ modem technology to produce and import illicit drugs, carry on drug trade. They are armed both for protection and intimidation, and can be very dangerous. Their methods are sophisticated and complex, involving a wide variety of drugs from many different sources throughout the world 'This illicit traffic not only violates national drug laws and international convention but also involves many other criminal activities, including racketeering, conspiracy, bribery and corruption of public officials, tax evasion, banking law violation, illegal money transfers, import/export violations, crimes of violence and terrorism." Why is there an increased drug trafficking in the world? There are many reasons for this. One reason is the growing demand for narcotic drugs . The second reason is that some drugs are naturally occurring and obtained from plants such as the opium poppy and the coca bush while semi synthetic drugs such as heroin and cocaine are produced in the chemical factories located in technologically advanced countries. A third reason is t hat some countries have very efficient control systems whereas some countries directly or indirectly encourage the production and the trafficking of illegal drugs. Most drug trafficking is carried out in secrecy. Drug industry is a Multi-billion-rupee business. It is estimated that the annual turnover of this industry is approximately 1600 billion rupees. Illicit trafficking is increasingly organized by persons or groups which finance and Control operations, all without ever handling the drugs themselves. Often it is the Professional criminals who are the agents for drug trafficking. The criminals continue to operate in this field because of the tremendous profits. The drug trafficking groups are often known as the Mafia. They have a very efficient network of production and distribution. They also study the market and peak demand areas and the 'drug of choice' in a specific geographic location, while maintaining the flow of narcotics around the world. The simple rule of demand and supply operates in the area of drug abuse and trafficking as well. For an addict the drug becomes an essential commodity. For essential commodities, the demand is inelastic. If the supply is reduced, the demand will no become less, but the price will go up. When the addict is not able to meet the expense for the drug he/she requires from his or her own resources, he/she will start trading illegal. Thus she/he becomes an addict as well as develops a link in the illegal trafficking system. The criminal gangs use children to sell drugs. As per law, children below 12 years cannot be convicted of any crime they commit. "It is in Brazil that the phenomenon of street children has appeared in the largest proportions. They act as couriers for the traffic of illegal drugs and themselves become drug users. Some children are used in the neighborhood as drug couriers. They are known as aviozinhos, the 'little airplanes'. They earn a bit of money that allows them to contribute to their family's subsistence.... From as young as six or seven years old, drugs become an important part of the lives of these children."