NCJ Number
45352
Editor(s)
E CLARK
Date Published
1977
Length
144 pages
Annotation
THE GROWING INDUSTRY OF SMUGGLING IS EXAMINED: METHODS; TYPES OF GOODS COMMONLY SMUGGLED AND GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS WHERE THEY ARE MOST IN DEMAND; AND VARYING POLICIES, LAWS, AND PENALTIES OF SEVERAL COUNTRIES ARE CONSIDERED.
Abstract
A PROFILE OF THE MODERN SMUGGLER DETAILS HIS METHODS; THE PRINCIPLES OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND BY WHICH HE OPERATES; THE USE OF 'MULES' (PROFESSIONAL OR OFTEN UNWITTING COURIERS WHO CARRY CONTRABAND ACROSS BORDERS); THE TECHNIQUE OF SMUGGLING BY BOOKKEEPER, IN WHICH THE GOODS ARE IMPORTED OPENLY, BUT THE DECLARATION OF THE VALUE OR THE NUMBER OF ARTICLES IS FALSE; AND THE EFFECT MODERN TECHNOLOGY HAS HAD ON THE INDUSTRY. THE TRADE IN HEROIN IS TRACED FROM POINTS OF SUPPLY (PRIMARILY TURKEY AND SOUTHEAST ASIA) THROUGH VARIOUS PORTS TO THE MAIN CONSUMER, THE UNITED STATES. THE USE OF LIGHT PLANES, SMALL BOATS, AND AIR FREIGHT AS SMUGGLING VEHICLES IS DETAILED, AND THE FAMOUS FRENCH CONNECTION IS DESCRIBED. A CHAPTER ON THE MARIJUANA MARKET DISCUSSES THE MANY AMATEUR SMUGGLERS WHO ARE CAUGHT AND SENTENCED AND THE WIDE VARIETY IN COUNTRIES' ATTITUDES TOWARD IT -- IN MOROCCO IT IS LEGAL, IN AMSTERDAM IT IS TOLERATED, BUT IN SPAIN POSSESSION IS PUNISHABLE BY A MINIMUM OF 6 YEARS IN PRISON. GOLD IS ANOTHER PRIME COMMODITY FOR SMUGGLING; ITS PRIMARY ROUTE IS FROM SOUTH AFRICA AND THE SOVIET UNION, THE SUPPLIERS, THROUGH LONDON AND ZURICH, THE GREATEST WHOLESALE MARKETS, THROUGH DUBAI, A FREE PORT ON THE PERSIAN GULF IN WHICH SMUGGLERS OPERATE LEGALLY, TO ITS FINAL DESTINATION IN INDIA AND PAKISTAN. CONTRABAND DIAMONDS FOLLOW A SIMILAR COURSE FROM SOUTH AFRICA TO THE WORLD'S GREATEST DIAMOND MARKET, ANTWERP, AND FROM THERE TO THE UNITED STATES. STOLEN ART TREASURES ARE ALSO A VALUABLE COMMODITY FOR A SMUGGLER. THEY PRESENT SPECIAL PROBLEMS FOR SMUGGLERS IN CONCEALING THEM, AND EVEN GREATER DIFFICULTIES FOR BUYERS IN AUTHENTICATING THEIR PURCHASES. SOME OF THE MOST PROFITABLE SMUGGLING INVOLVES WATCHES, CIGARETTES, LIQUOR, EXOTIC ANIMALS, AND EVEN PEOPLE (TO EVADE IMMIGRATION LAWS). ANECDOTES, ACTUAL CASE HISTORIES, AND PHOTOGRAPHS ARE CONTAINED THROUGHOUT. AN INDEX IS PROVIDED.