Drug Trafficking
Anyone living in America, Canada or Europe today and in most
other parts of the world is aware of the enormous problem drug
abuse poses to society in general. In particular, individuals
who are caught up in the problems associated with drug abuse and
trafficking, as well as their immediate family members and friends,
who may also suffer from the problems inherent with this threat
to health of individuals and to the social structure are also
severely affected.
Drug Trafficking in Central America |
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Where do the drugs come from, is a question many ask. How do
they appear on the streets, in the schoolyards, and in the homes
of folks who, sometimes just a few months before becoming involved
with drugs were leading normal and productive lives? The drugs
come from the insidious criminal practice of trafficking, and
it has many forms.
Methamphetamine, thought by many to be most dangerous drug in
common illegal use, is manufactured in basements, garages, motel
rooms, homes and other places. Meth labs are easy to set up, but
quite dangerous due to the risk of explosion, fire and toxic chemical
spill. After manufacturing, trafficking of methamphetamine in
powder form takes place. Dealers weigh it and place it in small
plastic bags, priced at an enormous profit. While manufacturing
takes place in every state, in Canada and large labs in Mexico,
the states of Missouri and California for years have been two
of the most prolific manufacturers of the drug, despite law enforcement's
efforts to stamp it out.
Cocaine,
still a problem after all of these years, is imported from South
American countries, often through Mexico. Once transported to
this country, drug traffickers often mix it with baking soda or
other ingredients to turn it into rock cocaine, or crack, a smoke-able
and more addictive form of the drug. Then it is sold on the street
as "rocks" for high profits.
Drug Routes in Mexico
Marijuana is grown in several Latin American countries and
drug traffickers still import vast amounts due to the high
profit, though that is not without risk. And, as it has been
packaged for years, marijuana is still placed in plastic bags
for sale.
Drug trafficking involving heroin, an insidious and addictive
drug, brings thousands of pounds of the drug into the country
every year. Some of it originates in South America, some in Afghanistan,
some in the Middle East. Regardless of the place of origin, trafficking
in heroin remains a problem to this day, though other drugs like
methamphetamine have stolen the limelight for the moment.
Whether drugs are smuggled through underground tunnels, like
the one recently found on the San Diego - Mexican border or
by boat, plane or ship, there is no way to plug all of the
security holes. With porous borders and the lack of adequate
resources to identify and apprehend drug traffickers, the
trafficking of drugs will continue to be a problem for years
to come.
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