MODULE 1
l. PRE-ASSESSMENT.
Questions:
1. What is Drug Trafficking?
2. What are the different countries which engage in Drugs Trafficking?
3. What are the different dangerous or illicit drugs involve in Drug Trafficking?
ll. LESSON 2.
Drug Trafficking
Drug trafficking, also known as drug distribution, is the crime of selling, transporting, or
illegally importing unlawful controlled substances, such as heroin, cocaine, marijuana,
or other illegal drugs. Drug trafficking also applies to the illegal selling or transportation
of prescription drugs, which has become an increasing problem in recent years.
According to the Department of Justice, the sale and manufacture of drugs accounts
for almost one-fifth of all drug-related arrests.
Proving Drug Trafficking
The crime of drug trafficking is similar to drug possession, since it requires that the
perpetrator knowingly possesses an illegal controlled substance. Thus, an individual
cannot engage in drug trafficking while being unaware that he or she is in possession of
a drug, or if he or she reasonably but mistakenly believes that the substance is legal.
However, drug trafficking also requires that a prosecutor show that the perpetrator was
involved in the sale, transport, or importation of such drugs, or intended to sell or deliver
the drugs. This additional requirement elevates the status of the crime and makes it a
felony.
Since possession and trafficking can look the same at first glance, prosecution for drug
trafficking typically requires producing additional circumstantial evidence to indicate that
a defendant is in possession of drugs not only for personal use but for commercial
purposes. This may include the presence of a scale at the time of arrest, or other
materials like plastic baggies or business cards. A prosecutor may also show that the
defendant was in possession of a large amount of cash, or kept business records
detailing his or her sales and purchases. Finally, the government may rely on the
testimony of other witnesses who bought or sold drugs to the defendant, or were aware
of his or her drug trafficking operation.
Police agencies around the world, pooling their resources together are more often than
not, losers in a game of hide-and-seek with the international drug syndicates well
organized international drug syndicates are behind this menace. They employ the most
advanced and most sophisticated technology coupled with unlimited financial resources
at foothold in all major cities around the world.
A. First Important Drug Traffic Route
Middle East - discovery, plantation, cultivation,
harvest
Turkey - preparation for distribution
Europe - manufacture, synthesis, refine
USA - marketing
B. Second Major Drug Traffic Route
Drugs that originates from the Golden Triangle
Burma/ Myanmar
Laos
Thailand
in Southeast Asia the "Golden Triangle"
approximately produced 60% of opium in the world, 90% of opium in the eastern part of
Asia. It is also the officially acknowledged source of Southeast Asian Heroin.
Burma is second only to Afghanistan in the production of opium where once it
accounted for most of the world's production. Once 40-60% of the heroin consumed in
New York originated in the golden triangle, but most now arrives from Mexico, and
Colombia. Opium production in Burma has been in steady decline since the mid 1990s,
although the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB 2009) noted that in 2007 and
2008 production had once again increased in quality and quantity. The INCB also noted
the continued and growing significance of the amphetamine-type-stimulant (ATS)
production within Burma, especially its sub-state autonomous regions such as Wa.
Drugs that originates from the Golden Crescent
✓ Iran
✓Afghanistan
✓ Pakistan
✓ India
in Southwest Asia the "Golden Crescent is the major supplier of Opium poppy,
Marijuana 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.
The Golden Crescent region of South Asia—comprising Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan
—is a principal global site for opium production and distribution. Over the past few
decades, war, terrorism, and a shifting political landscape have facilitated an active
heroin trade throughout the region. Protracted conflict has exacerbated already dire
socio-economic conditions and political strife within the region and contributed to a
consequent rise in opiate trafficking and addiction among the region’s inhabitants. The
worsening epidemic of injection drug use has paralleled the rising incidence of HIV and
other blood-borne infections in the region and drawn attention to the broader
implications of the growing opiate trade in the Golden Crescent. The first step in
addressing drug use is to recognize that it is not a character flaw but a form of mental
illness, hence warranting humane treatment of drug users. It is also recommended that
the governments of the Golden Crescent countries encourage substitution of opium with
licit crops and raise awareness among the general public about the perils of opium use.
The Golden Crescent of South Asia comprises Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan This
region is considered a global hub for heroin and related opiate production and trafficking
In recent years, these countries have battled many challenges, including political
turmoil, economic instability, war, and terrorism. The current review explores how such
forces may have influenced the growth and expansion of the heroin trade within the
region and how the trade has had implications for an epidemic of injection drug use,
rising incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other blood-borne
infections.
There are three well-defined heroin trafficking routes that originate from the Golden
Crescent region. The Balkan route operates through Iran and Turkey and traffics the
bulk of Afghan heroin to Europe. The Northern route supplies heroin to the Russian
Federation and Central Asia. Due to increased law enforcement along these two routes,
alternate routes have emerged, collectively called the Southern route, that traffics heroin
to Iran and Pakistan, and from these countries, via sea and air, to other parts of the
world
Drugs that originates from the Silver Triangle
✓ Peru
✓ Columbia
✓ Bolivia
THE WORLD'S DRUG SCENE
A. Middle East
The Becka Valley of Lebanon is considered to be the biggest producer of Cannabis in
the Middle East.
Lebanon is also became the transit country for cocaine from South America to
European illicit drug markets,
B. Spain
This is known as the major transshipment point from international drug traffickers in
Europe and became "the paradise of drug users in Europe.
Drug markets
As a result of its geographical location, Spain is one of the EU countries favoured by
international drug traffickers for the transit of cannabis resin and cocaine to other
European countries. On an annual basis, Spain frequently reports large seizures of
cocaine and cannabis resin, in terms of both number of seizures and quantities seized.
Cocaine arrives in Spain mainly by sea. It is concealed in shipping containers that come
either directly from the producing countries (Colombia and Peru) or via other Central or
South American countries.
Most cannabis resin seized in Spain comes directly from Morocco or via the Eastern
Mediterranean route, although route this appears to be in decline. Herbal cannabis is
also cultivated in Spain; there are indications that domestic production has increased
since 2009 and is intended to supply local demand while also destined for other EU
countries.
Historically, heroin comes mainly from Pakistan via the Balkan route, although its
dominance has reduced in recent years. In 2017, seized heroin was imported mainly
from Turkey, Pakistan and Mozambique, either in shipping containers or by air using
drug mules. In 2017, the number of seizures and quantity of heroin seized increased.
Overall, the number of drug seizures has increased over the past decade, although in
2017 a decrease was observed. Cannabis products are the most frequently seized
drugs in Spain. Despite an overall decline in cannabis seizures in 2017, the annual
quantities of cannabis seized from bulk seizures increased, both for resin and herbal
cannabis. Cocaine remains the second most seized drug in Spain, and the quantities
increased sharply in 2017.
Spain appears to have a stable situation with regard to seizures of synthetic stimulant
drugs (amphetamine, methamphetamine and MDMA/ecstasy), with the number of
seizures and amounts seized similar to the data reported in 2016.
Actions to identify and dismantle international criminal networks involved in the
trafficking of drugs are the priority for Spanish law enforcement agencies. This is done
by intensive controls in the southern coastal areas and ports; investigating, discovering
and confiscating the proceeds of drug trafficking; asset tracing and money laundering
investigations; preventing the distribution of illicit drugs within the country; and fostering
international cooperation.
C. South America
Columbia, Peru, Uruguay, and Chile are the principal sources of all cocaine supply in
the world due to the robust production of the coca plants- sources of the cocaine drug. .
Columbia: Coca/Cocian
Mexico
It is known in the world to be the number producer of marijuana
Philippines
The second in Mexico as to the production of marijuana
It also became the major transshipment point for the worldwide distribution of
illegal drugs particularly shabu and cocaine from Taiwan and South America
It is Noted that Philippine today is known as the drug paradise of drug abusers in
Asia
India
The center of the world’s drug map, leading to rapid addiction among its people.
Indonesia
Northern Sumatra has traditionally been the main cannabis growing area in
Indonesia.
Bali Indonesia is an important transit point for drugs enroute to Australia and New
Zealand.
Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand
The most favorable sites of drug distribution from the “Golden Triangle” and other
parts of Asia.
China
The transit route for heroin from the “Golden Triangle” to Hongkong.
It is also the country where the “epedra” plant is cultivated, source of the drug
EPHEDRINE the principal chemical for producing drug shabu.
Hongkong
The world’s transshipment point of all forms of heroin.
Japan
The major consumer of cocaine and shabu from the United States and Europe
lll. Post Module Assessment.
Multiple Choice
Instructions: Choose the letter of the correct answer.
1. It is also known as drug distribution, is the crime of selling, transporting, or illegally
importing unlawful controlled substances, such as heroin, cocaine, marijuana, or
other illegal drugs.
a. Pushing of Dangerous Drugs c. Drug Trafficking
b. Possession of Dangerous Drugs d. Selling of Dangerous Drugs
2. It is known to be the world to be no. 1 producer of Marijuana.
a. Vecka Valley of Lebanon c. Philippine
b. Mexico d. China
3. Any chemically active substance rendering a specific effect on the central nervous system of
man.
a. Drugs c. Stimulants
b. Sedatives/ Depressant d. Narcotics
4. It pertain to the countries that consider to be the Golden Triangle, EXCEPT-
a. Burma/Mayanmar c. Laos
b. Thailand d. Peru
5. It is considered to be the biggest producer of Cannabis in the Middle East, also became the
transit country for cocaine from South America to European illicit drug markets.
a. Vecka Valley of Lebanon c. Philippines
b.India d. China
6. This is known as the major transshipment point from international drug traffickers in Europe
and became "the paradise of drug users in Europe.
a.Spain c. Philippines
b.India d. Chile
7. Peru, Columbia, Bolivia are countries which consider as major producer of illicit drugs. It is
also called as______.
a. Green Triangle c. Silver Triangle
b. Golden Triangle d. Golden Crescent
8. The transit route for heroin from the “Golden Triangle” to Hongkong. It is also the country
where the “EPEDRA” plant is cultivated, source of the drug EPHEDRINE the principal chemical
for producing drug shabu.
a. Vecka Valley of Lebanon c. Philippines
b.India d. China
9. in Southeast Asia the__________ is approximately produced 60% of opium in the world, 90%
of opium in the eastern part of Asia. It is also the officially acknowledged source of Southeast
Asian Heroin.
a. Green Triangle c. Silver Triangle
b. Golden Triangle d. Golden Crescent
10. Also known as Methylmorphine, its effect is weaker in intensity, Cough preparations.
a. Opium c. Morphine
b. Heroin d. Codaine
lV. REFERENCES:
Abadinsky, H. Drug Use and Abuse, Eight Edition. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning,
2014.
Canete, A.M. Et al Drug Education and Vice Control Philippines: Wiseman’s Book Trading, 2010.
Guevara, R. M. Dangerous Drugs and Vice Control. Philippines: Wiseman’s Book Trading, 2013.
V. ANSWERS KEYS:
1. a
2.b
3. a
4. d
5. a
6. a
7. c
8. d
9. d
10. d
