Illegal Flows (DP IB Geography)
Revision Note
Trafficked People
Globalisation has given countries challenges in managing flows across its borders in a bid to allow goods to pass through quickly and efficiently
One of these challenges is the illegal goods trade, where organised crime gangs move a commodity from origin to destination along established routes
These flows have wide-ranging consequences, from damaging international security and relations to de-valuing currency and threatening the global economy
Also called 'modern-day slavery', human trafficking is the illegal movement of people for exploitation and profit
Human trafficking is a global problem that affects people of all ages
It is estimated that over 1 million people are trafficked each year worldwide, and between 20,000 and 50,000 are trafficked into the United States, which is the largest destination for victims of the sex-trafficking trade
Because of the 'hidden' nature of human trafficking, the actual number is unknown and is probably higher
Statistics
According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), human trafficking globally generates an estimated 150 billion USD in profits every year
Listed as the fastest-growing criminal industry in the world today, and second to the drug trade
Every 30 seconds, a child is sold
The 2020 Global Report on Trafficking in Persons states 'there are more humans being sold today in the world than at any other point in human history'
Trafficking can be domestic or international and about 60% of victims are international
Women account for over half of those trafficked
Frequently, victims come from poor countries and are exploited in rich countries
Counterfeit Goods
According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the total value of counterfeit and pirated goods was around $2.8 trillion, costing 5.4 million jobs in 2022
This is more than drugs and human trafficking combined
COVID-19 lockdown saw an increase in online sale of counterfeit goods
This was due to the ease of opening one website when another was shut down through illegal trading
Evidence shows that online sales grew from 10% of retail sales to more than 30% during COVID
Counterfeit goods are responsible for labour exploitation, environmental damage and health implications for consumers because of the use of poor-quality or dangerous materials, lack of quality control and technical training
Also, there are links between counterfeit goods, money laundering, illicit drugs and corruption
Corruption and bribery are linked when goods are transported internationally
Economies suffer not only from the reduction in tax revenues but also from the increase in the cost of surveillance and policing
Flows of Drugs
The flow of drugs and fraudulent medicines is a global issue
Drug trafficking is a major trade
It includes the cultivation (growing), manufacture, distribution and sale of substances that are prohibited by law
Worth about $5 billion, the trade in fraudulent medicines is mostly from East Asia and the Pacific to Southeast Africa
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), in developed countries, around 1% of total medical product sales involve counterfeit or substandard medicines
In low- and middle-income countries, this share is much higher, reaching up to 30% of total sales
The Lancet medical journal published that 33% of malaria drugs in sub-Saharan Africa and east Asia were fraudulent
According to a report by Global Financial Integrity (GFI), the estimated annual global value of the drug trafficking market is somewhere between $426 billion and $652 billion (USD)
The true value of the global flow of drugs is unknown, as estimates only consider major drugs such as cannabis, cocaine, opiates and amphetamine-type stimulants
It does not even include the ever-evolving world of new psychoactive substances (NPS)
The largest producer of illegal drugs varies depending on the specific type of drug
Opium and heroin: Afghanistan is the world’s largest producer of illicit opiates
In 2020, they cultivated around 215,000 hectares of opium poppy
However, they are not a major supplier to the United States
Cocaine: Colombia produces 60% of the world’s cocaine, followed by Peru and Bolivia
Bolivia also provides a transit hub for drug shipments from Peru
Morocco is known for cannabis production
Mexico and the Bahamas are involved in illicit drug production
Examiner Tip
Remember that the trade in drugs also includes over-the-counter medicines as well as illegal substances such as heroin and cannabis.
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