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Narco Terror Is A Term That Describes The Connection Between Narcotics

Execute the following assignment: Identify a recent case (from the last 3-5 years) involving drug smuggling by organized crime in conjunction with a terrorist group, preferably from Mexico, South America, or Central America. For this case, describe the criminals involved, specifying the organized crime group and terrorist group, and explain how they attempted to smuggle drugs, including methods such as on planes, cargo ships, or human mules. Additionally, detail any associated activities like money laundering or bribing officials. Second, analyze the security measures that were in place at the port of entry or transportation method and discuss why these measures failed. Third, recommend strategies to improve the detection of drug smuggling and related criminal activities, citing relevant literature to support your suggestions. Use at least two required readings for each task, including sources such as Hesterman (2013a, 2013b, 2013c), Novakoff (2015), and reports from the United Nations (2017). Ensure your essay is comprehensive, well-structured, and critically engaged with the topic. Make sure to include properly formatted citations and references.

Paper For Above instruction

Drug trafficking has long been intertwined with terrorist activities, particularly in regions like Central and South America, where organized crime groups such as the Mexican drug cartels operate alongside criminal alliances with terrorist organizations like the Mexican insurgent group, the Mexican Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC). A recent case exemplifies this nexus, revealing the complex operational strategies and security vulnerabilities that enable such collaborations.

Task 1: Criminals Involved and Smuggling Methods

In a notable recent incident from 2019, Mexican drug cartels, primarily the Sinaloa Cartel, collaborated with loosely affiliated factions of FARC, a Colombian guerrilla organization designated as a terrorist group, to smuggle cocaine into the United States. The Sinaloa Cartel has historically maintained sophisticated smuggling networks; in this case, they employed semi-submersible vessels and cargo ships to covertly transport large quantities of cocaine across the Pacific and Caribbean waters. Such maritime routes proved advantageous due to their relative ease of evasion from coastal security measures (Hesterman, 2013b).

The involvement of FARC elements added a layer of terrorist intent and operational complexity. FARC's engagement often involved the use of human mules—individuals who smuggled drugs on their bodies or within cargo—augmenting maritime operations with land-based overland routes through Central America. These activities were accompanied by money laundering operations utilizing clandestine banking networks, and bribery of officials at multiple levels of government to facilitate transit and evade interdiction efforts (Novakoff, 2015; Hesterman, 2013a).

Task 2: Security Measures and Their Failures

Ports of entry such as the Panama Canal and the Guatemalan border crossings had security protocols including container scanning with X-ray and gamma-ray scanners, routine canine inspections, and intelligence-sharing mechanisms. Despite these measures, smuggling attempts succeeded largely due to the use of non-standard shipping containers, decoy vessels, and corrupt officials who facilitated the movement of suspicious shipments without proper inspection (United Nations, 2017).

The failure of these security measures can be attributed to several factors. First, the sheer volume of maritime traffic overwhelmed inspection capacities, creating opportunities for concealing large quantities of drugs (Hesterman, 2013c). Second, corrupt practices mitigated surveillance efforts, as bribes enabled traffickers to bypass security checks. Third, the increasing sophistication of smuggling techniques—such as the use of submersibles, dual-use ships, and layered concealments—rendered traditional security measures less effective. This underscores the need for more advanced detection technologies and integrated intelligence systems (United Nations, 2017).

Task 3: Strategies to Improve Detection and Disruption

Improving detection and interdiction of drug smuggling requires a multifaceted approach grounded in technological advancement and intelligence integration. First, comprehensive use of portable detection tools, such as remote sensing devices, chemical-sniffing mobile laboratories, and drone surveillance, can enhance the ability to identify clandestine shipments at ports and along transit routes (Hesterman, 2013c). Second, establishing stronger international intelligence-sharing agreements, especially between the United States, Mexico, and Central American countries, can facilitate proactive interdictions based on predictive analysis rather than reactive measures alone (United Nations, 2017).

Further, investing in capacity-building at inspection points, such as training personnel to recognize sophisticated concealment techniques, and enhancing the use of behavioral analysis can deter attempts before they reach the port. Additionally, leveraging financial intelligence to track and disrupt money laundering networks associated with these operations is crucial (Novakoff, 2015). For example, implementing blockchain technology could improve the transparency of financial transactions involved in illicit activities, making it harder for traffickers to launder money undetected (Hesterman, 2013a).

Finally, a holistic approach involving community awareness, inter-agency cooperation, and international diplomatic efforts is essential. As the globalized nature of these threats increases, so must the collective responses that merge security, technological innovation, and legal frameworks to dismantle these narco-terrorist networks (United Nations, 2017).

References

• Hesterman, J. L. (2013a). Transnational organized crime: The dark side of globalization. CRC Press.
• Hesterman, J. L. (2013b). Drug-trafficking organizations go global. In The terrorist-criminal nexus: An alliance of international drug cartels, organized crime, and terror groups. CRC Press.
• Hesterman, J. L. (2013c). Traditional terrorist and criminal financing methods: Adapting for success. In The terrorist-criminal nexus: An alliance of international drug cartels, organized crime, and terror groups. CRC Press.
• Novakoff, R. (2015). Transnational organized crime: An insidious threat to U.S. national security interests. Prism: A Journal of the Center for Complex Operations, 5(4).
• United Nations. (2017). The drug problem and organized crime, illicit financial flows, corruption, and terrorism. Retrieved from https://www.un.org
• Warner, J. A. (2011). Drug trafficking and narco-terrorism. In M. Shally-Jensen (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Contemporary American Social Issues (pp. 305-308).