Marijuana Trafficking

Marijuana trafficking is unique to the drug trade industry. Because of this, there are perceived advantages and disadvantages to those who engage in this form of activity. The first unique aspect is the sheer volume of demand that will not allow for any distribution domination by any particular group of smugglers. This situation will allow for a large number of small to mid-sized scale suppliers to readily enter into this vast market.

Cost of Marijuana Trafficking
Unlike cocaine, heroin and other drugs, the illegal distribution of marijuana is comparatively inexpensive. While is may take a large investment of $30 - $40 thousand to even contemplate putting together a U.S. heroin or cocaine smuggling operation, an investment of less than $10,000 is all that may be required to initiate the same business in illegal marijuana trafficking.

Growing Marijuana
More importantly, while cocaine and heroin manufacturing is usually limited to foreign countries located in hostile regions of the world, marijuana can be grown domestically. A significant amount of illegally sold marijuana is cultivated in all 50 states and domestic production constitutes approximately one-sixth of all marijuana sold in the U.S. The costs of distribution, therefore, are dramatically reduced when a drug doesn’t need to be smuggled into the country where it’s being sold.

Snuggling Marijuana
While this may be seen as an advantage to smugglers, it’s also considered a disadvantage. With competition being this prevalent, prices are kept lower than other illegal drugs. Add to this, the elimination of a diluting factor, and you have a product that cannot be increased in value with a substance to “cut” its potency. Marijuana is also very bulky and transportation, in secret, can pose many problems for traffickers. An example of the low profit potential can be seen in the fact that 700 lbs. of commercially grown marijuana, from Columbia, will probably equal the profitability of the sale of one kilogram (2.2 lbs.) of cocaine that has been cut with cheap adulterants.

Drug Organizations
Even though, a small-scale operation is possible with a limited investment, only large-scale criminal organizations will possess the connections and resources necessary to reap significantly large profits from the marijuana trade. Most of these criminal organizations will also deal other drugs, as well, such as cocaine and heroin.

Please note that this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice.

Marijuana possession and sale constitutes some of the most commonly prosecuted crimes in the United States. If you encounter any difficulties related to this issue, you can call drug criminal lawyer Michael Lowe, who is currently practicing in Dallas, Texas.