Drug trafficking in the United States is a serious problem and it is one of the most profitable businesses. In order to understand the issue of drug trafficking it is important to know what is drug trafficking, where most of the drugs come from, and why people do it.
Drug trafficking is prohibited by the United States’ federal government in order to protect the health and safety of its citizens. According to the United Nations, drug trafficking is a global illicit trade involving the cultivation, manufacture, distribution and sale of controlled substances which are subject to drug prohibition laws. Drug trafficking is not done by only one person but multiple people including groups. Some people and groups known for committing these illegal acts are the Mexican and Colombian cartels. Drug traffickers’ main intention is to sell, distribute, or deliver illegal substances.
Much has been done by the United States’ federal government to stop drug trafficking but drugs still enter the U.S. through Mexico and Canada. Mexico plays a key role when it comes to smuggling drugs into the U.S. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency states that approximately 65 percent of the cocaine smuggled into the United States crosses the Southwest border and that Colombia controls the greatest supply of cocaine.
If drug trafficking is a criminal act why do people still do it? There are many reasons why people chose to become drug dealers but the main one is easy money. PBS interviewed a man who was an attorney before he became a drug dealer. To protect his identity, he asked PBS to call him “Steve.” Steve grew up in the San Diego/Tijuana area and was involved in drug trafficking with Mexican cartels. As an attorney Steve represented many drug traffickers. In the interview, he stated that 98 percent of his cases pertained to drug trafficking charges. He became astonished as he saw the amounts of money drug dealers were willing to pay him. Steve decides to become a drug dealer after he realizes the massive amounts of money drug dealers make.
If drug trafficking is a criminal act why do people still do it? There are many reasons why people chose to become drug dealers but the main one is easy money. PBS interviewed a man who was an attorney before he became a drug dealer. To protect his identity, he asked PBS to call him “Steve.” Steve grew up in the San Diego/Tijuana area and was involved in drug trafficking with Mexican cartels. As an attorney Steve represented many drug traffickers. In the interview, he stated that 98 percent of his cases pertained to drug trafficking charges. He became astonished as he saw the amounts of money drug dealers were willing to pay him. Steve decides to become a drug dealer after he realizes the massive amounts of money drug dealers make.
In conclusion, drug trafficking is and will be a serious problem due to the great consumption in the United States and due to the fact that it is easy money.
References:
Interview “Steve”
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/drugs/interviews/steve.html
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/drug-trafficking/index.html
U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency
http://www.policyalmanac.org/crime/archive/drug_trafficking.shtml
