Drug trafficking

Drug trafficking is an act of dealing or trading in illicit drugs such as cocaine, heroin, marijuana (Indian hemp) etc.

            Dealers obtain these drugs from various sources, distribute them through various sources and by various means of transportation – land, sea, air etc to reach their destinations across the world and within the shortest time possible. Some even swallow quantities of cocaine with the hope of excreting the substance when they get to their final destination. There, they will wash and sell the substance to users.

Reasons for trafficking in drugs

a.      The simplest reason is ignorance. Some people who are caught trafficking in drugs do not know what they carry. They just oblige or assist the owner to “deliver parcels” to somebody else across their borders.

b.      Some traffic in drugs because they are otherwise unemployed. They just think it is another way of getting jobs to do.

c.       Some are too poor to take care of their needs and those of their families. To such people, drug trafficking becomes attractive alternative to poverty.

d.      Some see it as a way of making a lot of money. Some do not see it as “dirty” or “blood money” until they are caught and jailed by law enforcement agents.

e.       Some make a lot of money from it and now want to shown “show off” this wealth at parties and at different social gatherings.

Consequences of drug trafficking

a.      Because drug trafficking causes a lot of harm, many countries have harsh rules against offenders. For example, in countries like Saudi Arabia and Singapore, drug traffickers are killed when they are caught. They do not send offenders to jail.

b.      In many other countries, drug traffickers are jailed – sometimes for life.

c.       Drug traffickers bring shame to themselves, their families and their countries.

Preventing drug trafficking

a.      Many people involved in drug trafficking do not know the dangers involved in the business, therefore, a lot of education is needed.

b.      Government should come up with programmes that would eradicate poverty and unemployment in the society.

c.       A very stiff law against drug trafficking should be enacted by parliament.

d.      Agencies involved in the fight against drug trafficking should be adequately equipped.