...Impact of United States Drug Policy on Mexico and Colombia Drugs are not new to this Earth. Mankind has grown and consumed drugs for millennia. Marijuana, or more appropriately Cannabis, is indigenous to Central and South Asia, and has been consumed widely since 3000 B.C.E. (ElSohly 8). In more recent times (1938), Albert Hoffman synthesized Lysergic acid diethylamide, more commonly known as LSD, while searching for treatments for psychiatric diseases (Hoffman). Initially, many drugs were used in religious/spiritual functions. In several instances, the strong fibers of the Cannabis plant were used for building, much like jute, and the narcotic aspects of the plants were not even explored (ElSohly 8). However, today, drugs are frequently used recreationally, and as a result are highly profitable commodities. It is common knowledge that across the world, the vast majority of drugs are illegal or are restricted in some way. Almost nightly, proponents for the legalization of drugs, decriminalization of certain drugs, and the continued ban on drugs debate their positions through the media. This debate is a hot button issue that is almost entirely centered upon the views and policies of the world’s largest drug consumer, the United States of America (CIA Factbook). Governments and the media very often focus on drug consumption trends and drug flow into the United States, while largely ignoring Latin American perspectives and impacts on Latin America. Though drug production and drug use are...
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...High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Program Institutional Affiliation: Date: Information about the Program The program to be focused on in this paper is called High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program. This program is established with a purpose of enhancing Anti-Drug Abuse policies by providing assistance to Federal, local, state, and the tribal law enforcement organizations working in regions speculated to be critical drug-trafficking areas of the United States. The program's ultimate aim is to minimize drug trafficking in United States of America by offering an environment that allows federal, states, local and tribal law enforcing agencies cooperate in order to facilitate efficient information sharing, as well as effective implantation of law enforcement. The other objectives of this program include; promoting reliable law enforcement intelligence to agencies with this responsibility and to offer assistance in coming up with coordinated law enforcement techniques which maximize utilization of existing resources to minimize the delivery of illegal substances in affected areas and in the United States region at large (Thomas and Kathyrn, 2000). The Director, in consultation with the Attorney, the Secretary of Homeland Security, heads of the National Drug Control Program agencies, General, the Secretary of the Treasury and the Governor of the state concerned, have the mandate to identify and name any specified area of the United States as a high...
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...Drug Trafficking in the United States 7/7/15, 10:49 AM Almanac of Policy Issues Home : Policy Archive : Search Sponsored Listings Questia: Search over 400,000 books and journals at Questia online. FastWeb Free Scholarship Search: Find free money for college or an advanced degree. U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency Added May, 2004 Almanac Search Drug Trafficking in the United States Web The illegal drug market in the United States is one of the most profitable in the world. As such, it attracts the most ruthless, sophisticated, and aggressive drug traffickers. Drug law enforcement agencies face an enormous challenge in protecting the country's borders. Each year, according to the U.S. Customs Service, 60 million people enter the United States on more than 675,000 commercial and private flights. Another 6 million come by sea and 370 million by land. In addition, 116 million vehicles cross the land borders with Canada and Mexico. More than 90,000 merchant and passenger ships dock at U.S. ports. These ships carry more than 9 million shipping containers and 400 million tons of cargo. Another 157,000 smaller vessels visit our many coastal towns. Amid this voluminous trade, drug traffickers conceal cocaine, heroin, marijuana, MDMA, and methamphetamine shipments for distribution in U.S. neighborhoods. Diverse groups traffic and distribute illegal drugs. Criminal groups operating from South America smuggle cocaine and heroin into the United States...
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...Arms Trafficking between the United States and Mexico: The Drug Trafficking Nexus Transnational Crime and Globalization By: Katrina T. Mason May 2, 2008 The United States is quite known for their proactive stances on the “War on Drugs”, “War on Terror”, and “War in Iraq”. Some view them as the international police and others view them as the international fiend, but it is in no doubt that the United States takes a very active stance in fighting what they believe is evil and wrong within the world. This is increasingly true for the evils that occur within its own borders such as the continued drug epidemic, domestic violence, child abuse, poverty, gangs, and prostitution (with the exception of Nevada). Unfortunately though, the United States’ stance on legal activities crossing from their own governance into neighboring states where the activity is illegal is not held with the same level of concern or dedication. A primary example of this double standard can be seen on the Mexican-United States border. This is not in reference to the debris from the giant wall being built on the Mexican border falling to the southern side, the young Americans fleeing across the borders to intoxicate themselves, or even the revolution of McDonalds springing up in towns throughout Mexico; but instead to the small arms and light weapons trafficking continually flowing down from the border states into Mexico causing alarming murder rates, economical...
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...The Drug Business Tawni Masters CJA 384 January 30, 2012 Sherryl Roten-West The Drug Business The illegal drug business in the United States is not a new business. This business has been around for quite some time. In this paper I will discuss the history of illegal drug business in the United States including the types of drugs that involved in the illegal drug business. I will also be discussing illegal drug syndicates and cartels a long with their structures and operational methods. Also I will be talking about some of the modern trends of organized drug trafficking. Finally I will answer, explain, and provide recommendations to the question, is there is a better solution to the ways in which we combat the drug business in the United States. The illegal drug business in the United States consists of all different types of activities from drug use to drug sales to producing and manufacturing to trafficking. Until the 1940’s most Italian Mafia leaders were strict with their rules telling their outfits that they were to avoid dealing drugs. A few leaders, notably Charles “Lucky” Luciano, broke that rule and used their organizations to push other gangs out of the drug trade and developed sophisticated networks for importing and selling illegal drugs in the United States (Mazzeno, 2011). During World War II illegal drugs were becoming less available in the U.S. because traffickers had a difficult time importing the drugs from overseas areas that were already in a conflict...
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...Introduction I decided to write about drug trafficking in the USA. My topic will be, "How drug trafficking affects children in NJ. "The question will be answered and backed by credible sources found on various websites. I have three brothers who went to prison because of this issue, and my cousin was gunned down in Newark, N.J a decade ago. This was particularly painful and hard to deal with knowing he had an opportunity to get out of this drug dealing lifestyle and get his life on the right track. Fortunately, I was able to get out of this lifestyle and get my life on track but not many make it out alive. Drug trafficking is a global/national issue, but when it is effecting the ones you love, It becomes a personal issue. While some feel drug decriminalization does not lead to an increase of drug use, Most Americans do not favor it (Hartnett,E.July,2012 Drug Legalization: Why It Wouldn't Work in the United States). Drug trafficking is a "dead end street" that has entrap a lot of promising young men and women in New jersey. The effects of drug trafficking can be life-changing for the worst for young adults who chose this lifestyle. These were core reasons for why I decided to go with this topic. The purpose of this paper is to show the compounding effects of drug trafficking in New Jersey. Drug Trafficking Drug trafficking or illegal drug trading is a criminal offense that occurs when a person transports, manufactures, and sells unlawful controlled substances such as: marijuana...
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...part of the prohibition from the early 1920s. In the 1920s organized crime groups were first known to society members as gangs. Most gangs were known to be immigrants from the same group that gather together to commit illegal crimes on other society members or the government. In the United States, organized crime is also known as racketeering. In 1970, congress passed an act known as the RICO act. RICO stands for "Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act” (Organized crime, 2003). This act made it easier for law enforcement officials to prosecute individuals who have not committed a crime but has been found guilty of being the head person in charge of an organized crime group. In order for a organized crime group to succeed in a committing crime, history proves that blackmail, bribery, and other forms of manipulation have been used by gang members to gain what they want form society members. One of the best ways that organized crime groups have continued to succeed in the United States is because they have been known to have connections with many different levels of law enforcement and within the government. Organized criminal groups are known to be the main contributors of drug trafficking. Today the types of crimes committed by organized crime groups have grown. As organized crime groups have become smarter, the types of crimes committed have increased and changed. One group of organized criminals that this paper will focus on is the group known as “El cartel de Medellin...
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...Human Trafficking Worldwide The scope of Human Trafficking Human trafficking is modern day slavery. In 2009, The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) gathered information from 155 countries regarding the scope and statistics of human trafficking. The data collected sheds light on a very grim and devastating affliction upon people and their human rights. Human trafficking has three elements. The first is the course of action that comprise “recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons.” The second element is the methods by which the victims are obtained. These include “threat or use of force, coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power or vulnerability, or giving payments or benefits to a person in control of the victim.” The third element of human trafficking is the intention behind the action which consists of “exploitation, which includes exploiting the prostitution of others, sexual exploitation, forced labour, slavery or similar practices and the removal of organs” (UNODC, 2011). Sexual exploitation is the predominant form of human trafficking. It accounts for 79% of all reported and documented human trafficking. The second most widespread form of human trafficking is forced labour. The reported incidents of forced labour make up 18% of human rights injustices by way of human trafficking. It can be assumed that this is a perversion of numbers as this form of violations is less likely...
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...demonstration of bloodshed and violence of the “Mexican Drug War” that never ceased to appall and bewilder the public-- in and outside Mexico-- has intensified in the beginning of 2006. The attribution of this intensity to the newly deployed military is neither gullible nor unfactual. “2010 was the year with the most violent deaths in the country,” acknowledged Felipe Calderón-- who augmented and expanded the military’s role in the war against drugs. Nevertheless, prior to Calderón’s administration, demands-- especially in the international level, and in particular from the U.S.-- have been strongly and repeatedly made to urge Mexico involve its military prowess and resources(Militarization of). As David R.Mares contends, the U.S. promotion-- incrementally for decades since the 1980s-- of the fallacy that the military has a unique ability for fighting the drug production and trafficking has proven futile and costly(David Maries). Due to the apparent ineffectiveness of the military in ameliorating the drug dilemma in Mexico, a multitude of military factions have expressed dissatisfaction.“I think there is frustration on the part of Mexican military personnel about being engaged in eternal conflict,” said Mexican Defense Minister Salvador Cienfuegos....
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...The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is a global organization that is based throughout the world in over 150 countries. It is a leader in the fight against international crime, illegal drugs, crime and terrorism. Cultural issues are part of this organizations responsibility as it seeks to assist Member States in concerted efforts to improve the lives of everyday people. As global threats are on the rise, the UNODC continues to grow and its impact can be felt on many ethical and social levels. In 1987 there were two United Nations Divisions for Drug and Crime Prevention that combined into the organization known today as the UNODC. The UNODC came into existence as a means to better assist the UN in issues of international importance. They launch campaigns every year to raise awareness against drugs and crime and commemorate International Anti-Corruption Day. It is a member of the United Nations Development Group and has a broad spectrum of international aims and functions. It employs about 1,500 people that are based throughout the world. Its main field and liaison offices are located in New York City, Brussels, and Vienna, Austria. The current Executive Director is Yuri Fedotov, formally a Russian Ambassador to the United Kingdom. The Strategy for the UNODC covering the next three years has been set in motion. According to United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime website (2012), it encompasses areas with sound based programs such as; “countering...
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...Final Capstone Project Sam Hunt CRJ 422 Instructor Bob Carthio February 20, 2016 Final Capstone Project In the 19th Century the United States government abolished slavery, but for many years now and even currently within our country we are facing a major crisis. This crisis is in the form of modern day slavery, which is also referred to as human trafficking. Human trafficking comes in several forms and it can in many ways be a hidden problem within our country that many people do not see on a day to day basis. Many people may not ever actually see the problem of human trafficking at all in their lifetime. Human trafficking has many different effects on its victims, but the most damaging effect caused by human trafficking is the psychological effects that can last a lifetime and can cause many future problems, such as being able to function properly and being able to trust others again after their terrible experience. Basically to be able to summarize the issue of human trafficking, we must first take a look at what exactly human trafficking is. Human trafficking is in its most basic form an aspect of modern day slavery as we would compare it to. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (2000), human trafficking is, “Trafficking in persons as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse...
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...Larenea Grant Criminology 357-81 Female Drug Trafficking Prepared for Professor Benny Webb At Coker College April 20, 2011 Female Drug Trafficking Drug trafficking is a serious offense in the United States and abroad that carries with it stiff penalties. The manufacture, distribution, and sale of illicit substances continue to proliferate in black market trades. A crackdown on such operations has become more concentrated in the U.S. over the past few decades. While different violation drug trafficking laws carry different penalties, any offense is considered serious and is dealt with severely. Drug trafficking is widely regarded the most serious of drug offences around the world. However, sentencing often depends on the type of drug, its classification in the country into which it is trafficked, and where and how the drugs are sold and distributed (Grim, 2009). If drugs are sold to or distributed by underage people then the penalties for trafficking may be harsher than other circumstances. When discovered, they face at least 10 years for crossing state lines, but their terms can be extended up to 25 years. When questioned by police, some women insist that they have no idea that they are carrying drugs. In the USA, the Federal law states that first time offenders be sentenced to a minimum term of imprisonment averaging 1 to 3 years. A drug trafficking offense may also lead to denial of federal benefits and forfeiture of personal property and real estate (Ehlers, 1998) A large...
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...Organized Crime and Drug Trade Organized crime and the illicit drug trade is a fairly recent ordeal occurring throughout the world, both strongly linked with drug trafficking. Organized crime refers to the unlawful activities of the members of a highly organized, disciplined association engaged in supplying illegal goods and services, including gambling, prostitution, loan- sharking, narcotics, and labor racketeering (Schmalleger, 2011, pg.234). Drug trafficking, which is a type of organized crime, consists of manufacturing, distributing, dispensing, importing, and exporting (or possessing with intent to do the same) a controlled or counterfeit substance (Schmalleger, 2011). These two come hand in hand because the powerful people/ organizations from different parts of the world are the ones who control the illicit drug trade industry. Without the drug traffickers the industry would consist of suppliers who would have no way to deliver their product to the consumer. It is estimated that the illegal drug trade generates up to 500 billion dollars a year, making it the second most lucrative industry after the arms industry (Jenner, 2011). The reason drug trafficking occurs can be due to the high consumption of illicit drugs throughout the world which in turn fuels this business. Like any other industry, there will always be organizations that control it. For example in the automotive industry in the U.S., “the big three” – GM, Chrysler, and Ford are the ones who dominate it, although...
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...Problems of Drug Trafficking and Immigration in Mexico and United States Immigration and drug trafficking are a menace in the entire world. In dealing with issues concerning immigration and abuse of drugs, it is vital to note that these two phenomena go hand in hand. Drug trafficking refers to a worldwide unlawful trade that involves the crop growing, manufacturing, circulation and selling of substances that have issues with drug prevention regulations. On the other hand, immigration refers to the settling in a foreign nation state permanently. Drug traffickers deal with drugs such as cocaine, heroin, cannabis, and opiates. The illegal immigrants find it hard to survive in a new environment due to financial constraints. Hence, these immigrants engage in illegal activities for example abuse of drugs and substances. Similarly, they engage in entering into other countries illegal that is a crime activity too (Bankston). Due to poverty and poor governance in Mexico, it has led to the rapidly settling of individuals in the United States and Canada. This process of settling is normally illegal since it does not follow the right channels of attaining documents from the required authorities that allow a foreigner to live in their country. The illegal immigration in the Central America to the Northern continent has led to the development of a mechanism known as North American Free Trade Agreement. With it is acronym as NAFTA, enacted in 1994 by United States, Mexico, and Canada. The...
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...consequence of the U.S. demand for illegal drugs, not the smuggling of illegal migrants (Alden, 2008). Mexico is a major producer and supplier to the U.S. market of heroin, methamphetamine, and marijuana, and the major transit country for more than 90% of the cocaine sold in the United States. Mexico has pursued an aggressive anticrime strategy and increased security cooperation with the United States. These efforts have helped Mexico arrest or kill record numbers of drug kingpins, but more than 55,000 people have died as a result of organized crime-related violence since December 2006. The United States has also made significant efforts in the fight against drug trafficking. In 2011, the New York Times reported that the United States began sending unarmed drones to collect intelligence on traffickers. It also reported that the United States had expanded its role in cross-border raids, sending CIA operatives and retired military personnel to a Mexican military base, while training federal agents to assist in wiretaps, interrogations, and running informants. The United States has also improved security on its own side of the border, spending approximately $3 billion annually on patrolling the border. (CFR, 2013). For years, drug trafficking organizations have used the Mexico's political system to create "a system-wide network of corruption that guaranteed distribution rights, market access, and even official government protection for drug traffickers in exchange for well-paid...
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