Drug trafficking is the illegal or unlawful production, selling, distribution, or transportation of illegal controlled substances. These include, but are not limited to, crack, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, methamphetamine, MDMA (ecstasy), and LSD. In 2017, Global Financial Integrity estimated the global drug trade to be valued at US$426 billion to US$652 billion. Due to the criminalization of controlled substances, drug trafficking has become a global issue and affects regions and countries differently. For example, some countries are source countries, whereas others are destination/market countries. This entry discusses the international drug trade before turning its attention to security and surveillance strategies for monitoring and controlling drug trafficking and associated privacy concerns.

Multinational Drug Trade

Worldwide, most suppliers and cultivators of controlled substances are from less developed countries in Southeast ...

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