The Four Stages of Production and Distribution in the Illicit Drug Business

The Four Stages of Production and Distribution in the Illicit Drug Business

Illicit drug business, also known as drug trafficking, is a business activity that involves drug cultivation and manufacturing, importation, wholesale distribution, and retail distribution. Essentially, the illicit drug business is a hierarchical system where the illegal drugs are moved down the chain of distribution from producers (growers), manufacturers, or smugglers to wholesalers, retailers, and finally to the consumer (the drug user) (Macit, 2017). In addition, the most significant person in the illegal drug business is a drug dealer: a person who relies on drug sales for income.

The cultivation and manufacturing stage of drug trafficking involves growing the raw materials in rural areas. The growers are usually poor farmers from developing countries (Johnson, 2003). The farmers then sell their products to manufacturers. Next is the importation stage, where manufacturers, an extensive and elaborate pattern of people, smuggle refined products to other wealthier societies like Europe.

The next stage is wholesale distribution. This transaction is carried out by a wholesaler or a distributor. A wholesaler or a distributor is a drug dealer who buys illicit drugs in large quantities and then sells them to other drug dealers or distributors down the chain of distribution (Desroches, 2005). Wholesaler distributors often import the drugs from producer countries and sell them in large quantities. Additionally, they are responsible for financing, smuggling, and transportation of the products. Also, they are responsible for developing and maintaining international networks of people importing and distributing wholesale products. They are organized criminal groups.

Finally, retail distribution involves selling the drugs to the consumer, the drug user. Retailers are classified into two levels: low-level and street-level dealers. Low-level retailers sell the drugs directly to the drug users. These retailers are not under payroll and are not controlled by others. Conversely, street-level retailers often comprise independent entrepreneurs. These retail markets are competitive, open, fragmented (connections are made informally through word of mouth), and fluid (Desroches, 2005).

References

Desroches, F. (2005). The Crime That Pays. Canadian Scholars’ Press.

Johnson, B. (2003). Patterns of Drug Distribution: Implications and Issues. Substance Use & Amp; Misuse, 38(11-13), 1789-1806. https://doi.org/10.1081/ja-120024241

Macit, R. (2017). Becoming a Drug Dealer in Turkey. Journal of Drug Issues, 48(1), 106-117. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022042617731871

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The Four Stages of Production

Explain the four stages of production and distribution in the illicit drug business. Use additional research material to provide details on the four stages.