Firearms trafficking networks: A multiplex network approach

• In Event: Illicit Firearms and Organized Crime

Abstract

Illicit firearms trafficking is a transnational problem impacting communities worldwide. It enables, and is frequently intertwined with, multiple other organized crime activities, such as drug and human trafficking. Firearms trafficking is considered to be largely carried out by criminal groups (Sneddon, 2021). A way to map and measure relationships and flows between individuals in firearms trafficking groups is provided by social network analysis (SNA). This chapter focuses on using SNA to understand the criminal activities in firearms trafficking networks and the social structures facilitating those activities. By means of a multiplex approach, we examined multiple layers or link types, specifically the flow of commodities (firearms, money, and equipment) and the supporting social dynamics (orders, negotiation, and planning) in a Dutch firearm trafficking network (see Table 1). This network was subject to police investigation and information about the network was provided by the Dutch police. The network consisted of 42 actors with 224 ties between them. There was sufficient information for 105 of those ties (47%) to determine the link type while for 119 ties (53%) the link type remained unknown. SNA metrics (density, degree centrality, and betweenness centrality) were calculated for the merged network and the six individual network layers. Additionally, a subgroup analysis was performed on the merged network in which three subgroups were identified. Results are discussed in light of the literature on the social organization of criminal groups. The chapter concludes with implications for policy and practice.

Author

• Fenna van der Wijk, University of Groningen