CRIMINAL JUSTICE 1 question drugs - Coursework Example

Drug Trafficking {Unit – of of Harris (2009) defines drug trafficking as the possession of illegal drugs with the main purpose of distribution for income. The drug trafficking industry has flourished across the world because of various factors, such as influence of insurgent terrorists. Insurgent terrorists are members of an irregular armed force that usually fights a stronger force by harassment and sabotage (Forest, 2007). There is empirical evidence that associates insurgent terrorists with trafficking and possession of narcotics (Lyman, 2011).

The two groups give support to each other in perpetuating worldwide drug trafficking. Narcoterrorism refers to the relationship between the insurgent terrorists and drug traffickers (Lyman, 2011). Insurgent terrorists protect the drug traffickers and acquire part of the substantial profit that drug trafficking industry makes. This discussion will consider the relationship between insurgent terrorists and drug trafficking industry. Insurgent terrorists engage in insurgency and terrorism and exploit the drug trafficking industry for financial benefit.

In most cases, the exploitation of drug trafficking industry involves guerillas at rural level (Forest, 2007). The relationship between drug trafficking industry and guerillas tend to be very common in rugged, rural areas where the government control is relatively weak. Most rural areas do not have a nationally integrated economic infrastructure (Forest, 2007). The rural-based insurgent terrorists make money by extorting war taxes from drug traffickers and the growers of illicit drugs, such as the narcotics.

The relationship between insurgent terrorists and illicit drug traders has its root in conflict and coercion (Bibe, 2001). Sometimes, however, insurgent terrorists and drug traffickers can cooperate in a marriage of convenience. According to Lyman (2011), the degree of government action against trafficking of drug in an area can act as a unifying factor. A number of insurgent terrorists have used both cooperation and coercion to exploit the drug trafficking industry. An example of insurgent terrorist includes the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), which is Colombia’s oldest and largest insurgent group (Bibe, 2001).

The FARC has a close association with a range of drug trafficking activities, such as cultivation, distribution, and taxation of illicit drugs. In the 1980s, the FARC in Columbia maintained taxation on the production of cocaine in various territories, in exchanging for establishing law and order that favored growers (Bibe, 2001). In 1990s, the FARC started to participate in drug trafficking, which provided a substantial portion of its funding (Bibe, 2001). Therefore, insurgent groups can participate directly or indirectly in drug trafficking, by protecting the growers or producing illicit drugs respectively.

Therefore, there is a close association of the insurgent terrorists with the drug trafficking industry. The relationship is very common in remote areas were the power of government is weak (Forest, 2007). An example of this relationship includes the influence of the FARC on production of cocaine in Columbia. The FARC has benefited a lot from drug trafficking activities in terms of getting large sums of money from taxation (Bibe, 2001). It is true that the insurgent terrorists can use both cooperation and coercion to make money from drug trafficking industry.

ReferencesForest, J. J. (2007). Countering terrorism and insurgency in the 21st century: international perspectives. Westport, Conn. [u.a.: Praeger Security International.Harris, N. (2009). Drug trafficking. Pleasantville, NY: Gareth Stevens Pub. Lyman, M. D. (2011). Drugs in Society: Causes, Concepts and Control. (6th Ed.), Burlington, MA: Anderson Publishing.Bibe, P. (2001). Transnational Organized Crime and Terrorism. Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice, 17(3), 243-258.