RT Article
T1 The organisational structure of transnational narcotics trafficking groups in Southeast Asia: a case study of Vietnam’s border with Laos
JF Trends in organized crime
VO 23
IS 4
SP 385
OP 411
A1 Luong, Hai Thanh
LA English
YR 2020
UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/1750715694
AB The Golden Triangle - the area where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar converge - is considered one of the most complicated narcotics-trafficking hotspots in the world. More research is needed, however, to understand the supply and demand resources as well as the overall structure of transnational narcotics trafficking (TransNT) in this area and neighboring regions. The present paper provides an in-depth examination of the organisational structure of TransNT in the borderland between Vietnam and Laos, using multiple qualitative approaches to identify four key aspects of trafficking groups in this area: namely, group size, the relative centrality of lead actors in the trafficking networks, the flexibility and adaptability of network operations, and the personal attributes of traffickers. Depending on the number of drug traffickers involved, TransNT in Vietnam can be separated into small, medium, and large-scale groups; however, drug markets in Vietnam are not controlled by monopolistic groups or ‘cartels’. Notably, cross-border networks tend to have a fluid structure characterised by a sophisticated modus operandi from the preparation stages to the later stages of trafficking activity, enabling the criminal networks to achieve their goals.
K1 Grenzgebiet
K1 Drogenhandel
K1 Strafverfolgung
K1 Organisationsstruktur
K1 Southeast Asia
K1 Golden Triangle
K1 Criminal investigation police drug-related crime (CIPDRC)
K1 Law Enforcement
K1 Borderland
K1 Organisational structure
K1 Drug Trafficking
K1 Vietnam
K1 Südostasien
K1 Goldenes Dreieck
DO 10.1007/s12117-020-09384-w