Drug trafficking is the global illegal trade which involves the cultivation, production,distribution and sales of substances that are subject to drug prohibition laws. Drug trafficking is globally regarded as the most serious of drug offences. However, sentencing of an offender depends on the type of drug trafficked, the quantity trafficked, where or country the drug is sold in and how they are distributed.For example, if the drugs are sold to under age people, then the penalty for trafficking may be harsher than in other circumstances.
In many countries, drug smuggling attracts severe punishments. These include lengthy period of imprisonment, flogging, deportation if the crime is committed in a foreign country, as well
death penalty in some cases.
In December 2005, a 25-year-old Australian drug trafficker was executed in Singapore. While in 2010, two people were sentenced to death in Malaysia for trafficking 1 kilogram of cannabis into the country.
Drug trafficking affects the society in many ways. As a result,many violent crimes such as murder, armed banditry are thought to be directly related to illegal drug trade. Consequently, the battle for superiority by many drug lords and cartels, often lead to the untimely death of gang members.
Drug trafficking also leads to social breakdown, deprives nations of human capital development, undermines public healing and sometimes even subverts government authority.
In addition, sometimes convicted offenders, after doing their time in jail, find it hard to re-intergrate back to society, even with rehabilitation.
So, drug trafficking is an ill-practice that should be avoided by all law-abiding individuals.
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