Human trafficking and drug distribution in Sweden from a market perspective—similarities and differences

Abstract

Based on several studies, the aim of the article is to compare trafficking in women for the purpose of sexual exploitation to trafficking in drugs. Women are recruited and drugs are bought in other countries and transported to Sweden. What are the similarities and differences between the recruitment phase (women) and the purchases (drugs)? Both sexual services and drugs are sold in local markets. This requires marketing, contacts and access to customers. Women need accommodation and often a place to sell the services, drugs must be stored somewhere and prepared for sale. Procurement, trafficking and the purchase of sexual services are illegal and in the case of drugs even consumption and possession for personal use is illegal and prosecuted. Facilitators often play an important role in connecting customers and providers. This article will further describe what kind of organizational structure is needed to arrange these logistics and some different strategies used by organizers and distributors.

The illicit tobacco market in Sweden – from smuggling to warehousing

“…Brå, 2007:4;Skinnari 2010;Korsell et al 2011). According to some seminar participants, risks are also outsourced to different accomplices.…”

Regulating Organized Crime

“…Owning a restaurant is a status symbol in criminal circles. Restaurants and bars are often meeting places for criminals (Korsell et al 2005, 11). These are places where one receives tips, recruits individuals for criminal projects, hears the latest news, and learns what the police are doing (Steffensmeier and Ulmer 2005).…”

“…It is thus typical of organized crime to benefit from regulations by misusing them (Korsell, Vesterhav, and Skinnari 2009). When a prohibition is imposed, as in the case of narcotics, criminal entrepreneurs ensure that the market’s needs are met (Korsell et al 2005, 11). Weapon ownership is subject to a series of restrictions in many countries, but organized crime has its own distribution channels.…”

Human Trafficking Heroes and Villains

“…Despite research exploring other factors contributing to trafficking, such as the role of restrictive migration regimes (Chacon, 2006;Sullivan, 2008), and the lack of education and opportunities in source countries (Chuang, 2006), the majority of research has focused on the image of the trafficking offender as the organized crime syndicate, or the man who pays for sex. For example, many researchers position organized crime syndicates as the trafficking offender (Aronowitz, 2001;Brown, 2011;Korsell et al, 2011), drawing parallels between the trafficking of drugs and the functioning of other illegal markets and organized crime activity. Other research apportioning blame for the crime of trafficking points the finger at men who buy sex.…”