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History/ Overview.
Although, drug trafficking entered the global economy by force in the past few decades; drug trafficking has been a problem plaguing the world since the dawn of the age of imperialism. Drug trafficking is the direct result that comes from drug prohibition and the main reason for smuggling is the direct cash profit resulting from the transaction. Illegal drug smuggling can be seen as early as the 1800's; a clear example would be the Opium War in China. The banning of opium resulted in a war over opium. The illegal drug trade led to violence, a common theme seen throughout history. .
The 1997, World Drugs Report the UNODC estimated the value of the market at US $400 billion, ranking drugs alongside arms and oil amongst the world's largest traded goods.5 Globalization, which is described, as the widening, deepening and speeding up of the global interconnectedness6 has been as efficient to illicit trade as to the licit. Technology has enhanced and increased trafficking and the trade of drugs through illegal transactions. .
Drug trafficking essentially requires an organized crime that controls the markets and the distribution, including transportation of the drugs to market (North). It also handles the revenue derived from the illegal commerce and repatriates the cash (South). All transactions are cash based, and thus the funds must somehow be integrated into the formal economy, or through money laundering in order to conceal all transactions. Originally drug trafficking occurred in the Caribbean islands and Europe, yet currently underdeveloped states have become major drug trafficking routes. Afghanistan has become the top Opium producer/distributor in the world. Alongside, West Africa, which is currently the primary location for these activities. .
Theories.
Illicit drug trafficking can retard the economic, political, and social development of LDCs. It has created exacerbated divisions between the poor and the rich, except at a global level.
