Illegal drugs can be directly or indirectly related to a crime. The most direct means is the use, possession, manufacturing or distribution of drugs which is placed under category of probable abuse. These drugs include cocaine, heroin, morphine and amphetamines. Drugs are also linked to drug trafficking and drug production which are crimes often operated by organized drug interest groups or gangs. Other drug related crimes include robbery and sexual assaults.

What is Illegal Drug?

The illegal drug trade is a large – scale black market involving activities of cultivating, manufacturing, distributing and selling of prohibited drugs. Drug control laws make majority of jurisdictions consider trade of various types of drugs unlawful unless when it is done under license. Other forms of drugs such as alcohol and tobacco are not prohibited by these laws, but are still subject to regulation under other laws. The operation of illegal drug trade is the same as the operation of any other underground market.

Several drug cartels particularize on the distinct processes required in the supply chain. They often restrict themselves to a small area in order to maximize the efficiency in production as well as to lessen the damages brought about by law enforcement. Cartels typically vary in size, stability and organization depending on their productivity. The chain has a broad range of constituents. The lowest level includes street dealers who may also be drug users themselves. Street gangs and contractor-like individuals or groups make up the middle level while the highest level is composed of global empires that compare to governments in size.

Nature of Drug Trade

The UN report reveals that global drug trade has generated approximately $321.6 billion in 2003. In the same year it has also earned a world GDP of 36 trillion, making the illegal drug trade comprise almost 1% of the total global commerce. Possible places where illegal drugs can be cultivated are wilderness regions, farms, indoor or outdoor residential gardens, indoor hydroponics grow-ops or in drug labs which could be situated anywhere, most probably in a household basement or a deserted facility. The only characteristic common among these locations is their discretion, intended to avoid black market players. The use of illegal drugs is a global issue. Although by purchasing illegal drugs on a black market, one can avoid taxation, the elevated cost used to protect trade routes from the force of the law causes inflated prices.

Furthermore, other laws make certain kinds of drug trades illegal that are otherwise legal such as untaxed cigarettes. In these circumstances, the drugs are typically manufactured and partially disseminated through legal routes and later on diverted into illegal routes. Lastly, several governments prohibit the manufacture and sale of major types of drugs by means of prescription systems.

This article is not meant to provide legal advice.

For information about illegal drug laws, please contact the Attorneys at Law Will & Will. Helping clients in Los Angeles.