Drug trafficking involves selling drugs and drug paraphernalia, whether it is a local exchange between a user and a dealer or a major international operation. Drug trafficking is a problem that affects every nation in the world and exists on many levels.
Drug trafficking involves every kind of drug and affects people in every nation.
Definition
Drug trafficking is the commercial exchange of drugs and drug paraphernalia. This includes any equipment used to manufacture illegal drugs or use them.
Interdiction
Interdiction is the effort of governments in various countries to stop the drug-trafficking industry.
Success of Interdiction
According to the Drug Policy Alliance Network, law-enforcement agencies would need to intercept approximately 70 percent of illegal drugs in order to reduce drug trafficking around the world. At the present time, only approximately 10 to 15 percent of heroin is intercepted, and only approximately 30 percent of cocaine is seized.
Penalties
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) enforces laws that carry various penalties for drug crimes. A person found in possession of certain illegal drugs, such as cocaine or heroin, will face no less than five years in prison.
The Balloon Effect
The balloon effect is a theory about enforcing drug policies that states that when law-enforcement agencies crack down on drug trafficking in one area, it increases in another. This is one of the problems with trying to combat drug trafficking around the world.
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