The Guns-For-Drugs Trade: Implications for U.S. Foreign Policy

Abstract

This thesis is a comprehensive study of the relationship between weapons and narcotics trafficking a phenomenon referred to as the guns-for-drugs trade. It focuses on trafficking that occurs throughout the United States and Latin America. The thesis identifies the actors, motivating factors, types of weapons, methods of smuggling, systems dynamics, implications and prevalent problems found in combatting the trade. Several options are offered for U.S. policy which include neglecting the problem altogether, increasing interdiction efforts, passing stricter laws and harsher penalties, increasing intergovernmental cooperation and bolstering cooperation among law enforcement agencies, both foreign and domestic. In conclusion, the thesis proposes that any solution should address both U.S. and Latin America concerns, emphasize cooperation, and apply lessons learned during the drug wars. Firearms Trafficking, Drug Trafficking, U.S./Latin America

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1991
Accession Number
ADA246939

Entities

People

  • Eradio E. Uresti

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Anti-Aircraft Missiles
  • Commerce
  • Congress
  • Crime
  • Criminals
  • Drug Abuse
  • Drug Trafficking
  • Grenade Launchers
  • International Law
  • Law
  • Law Enforcement
  • Law Enforcement Officers
  • National Security
  • Personnel Management
  • Police
  • Terrorists
  • United States

Fields of Study

  • Political science

Readers

  • East Asian Political and Security Studies within the Soviet Union
  • Government and Public Administration Law.
  • Strategic Security Studies