Emerging trends in drug trafficking in the South Asian region: A Sri Lankan perspective

(This is the First in the series of ‘PATHFINDER NATIONAL SECURITY BRIEF issued by the Pathfinder Foundation. Readers’ comments via email to [e-mail] are welcome.)

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ver time, the illicit drug trade has evolved into one of the most lucrative global industries, its tendrils now extending across multiple regions and presenting a profound challenge to global peace and stability.

Drug trafficking is a transnational illegal commerce involving cultivators, manufacturers, transporters, suppliers, and distributors, all operating in defiance of drug prohibition laws. According to the Global Financial Integrity report published by the Washington-based think tank in March 2017, the global business of transnational crime is estimated to generate between $1.6 trillion and $2.2 trillion annually. This study, The Pathfinder Foundation team, which assessed the criminal market across 11 categories, revealed that drug trafficking accounted for the second-highest value, ranging between $426 billion and $526 billion in 2014 alone, constituting approximately 1% of total global trade in that year. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) World Drug Report 2022 highlighted that in 2020, an estimated 284 million individuals aged 15-64 globally used drugs within that year, with 209 million consuming cannabis, 61 million using opioids, and 31 million engaging with amphetamines, reflecting a 20% increase over the decade. Furthermore, the report highlights that in 2022, approximately 7 million people were in formal contact with the police for drug-related offences, and over 1.6 million people were convicted globally.