Organisational Operating Mechanism in Drug Trafficking Groups: The Context of China

• In Event: Geography, Policy, and Illicit Markets

Abstract

This study examines the operational mechanisms of organised drug trafficking in 41 major Chinese cities (including provincial capitals and tier 1-3 cities) over the period 2012-2022 through the analysis of court files. Employing a network approach, the research focuses on the dimensions of transportation, payment, recruitment, communication, and, critically, the structure of the groups involved. It maps out the relationships among these facets, the types of drugs trafficked, their geographic distribution, and the organisational structures of the trafficking groups. Moreover, the study delves into the dynamics of drug pricing within the realm of illegal drug trafficking, examining how this factor influences and is influenced by the operational mechanisms.

Author

• Shujing Shi, University of Cambridge