Drug Smuggling Behavior: A Developmental Smuggling Model, Part I

• NCJ Number: 209084
• Journal: Forensic Examiner Dated: November/December 2003 Pages: 15-22
• Author(s): Terrance G. Lichtenwald Ph.D.
• Date Published: November 2003
• Length: 8 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: For Part 2 of this article, see NCJ-209085.

Annotation

This first part of a two-part article on drug smuggling behavior presents a drug smuggler's perception of the current drug courier models, introduces a new developmental smuggling model (DSM), and describes the behavioral characteristics of the phase-I (lowest level) smuggler.

Abstract

The author conducted numerous in-depth interviews and conducted extensive psychological testing with a man who claimed to be an international smuggler, in addition to cross-checking his information with records and databases of numerous Federal agencies. This yielded a body of behavioral information compiled over 7 years that was used to develop a three-phase model of smuggling behavior by individuals and organizations. The DSM developed encompasses the variability of smuggling behaviors and organizations. The variability ranges from acts done by individuals, small groups, and large groups; acts done in different countries; acts committed under different political systems; and the extensive range of ethnicities of smugglers. Further, the smuggling may involve a single individual who purchases contraband through his/her own resources, transporting it himself/herself, and then either keeping it for personal use or selling it to friends. In addition, the smuggling operation may be at the multinational level with many financial backers and involving complex methods, intricate transportation routes, and multiple vendors. The proposed model involves a pyramid of smugglers that has low-level smugglers at the base of the pyramid and high-level smugglers at its tip who set the basic structure for the operations and sales of phase 1 and phase 2 smugglers. Although more developed than individuals and organizations at phase 1, individuals and organizations at phase 2 still lack sufficient organization and liquidity to allow profitability and negotiation with the point of origin. This article provides more detail on the characteristics of phase-1 smugglers than the smugglers involved in phases 2 and 3. 1 figure, 1 table, and 9 references