“Coke on Tick”: exploring the cocaine market in the UK through the lens of financial management

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to offer detailed preliminary data and analysis that focuses specifically on the structures and financial aspects of the UK cocaine market. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on in-depth interviews with – among others – four active criminal entrepreneurs involved in powder cocaine supply in the UK. Furthermore, along with a review of relevant literature and open sources, in-depth interviews were undertaken with a range of experts with knowledge of the cocaine market. These experts include law enforcement agents and independent academics/researchers who have researched the cocaine market in the UK and internationally. Findings The cocaine market is a fragmented business dependent on networks of individual entrepreneurs and groups. At the core of collaborations often lie family, ethnic or kinship relationships and relationships forged within legal businesses and in prison. Capital investment practices in this market are flexible, “messy” and mutating, and money comes from a range of different sources. Credit is an integral feature of the cocaine business in the UK. The financial management of the cocaine trade is a result of (and reflects) a number of factors, such as the fragmented and decentralised nature of the trade. Originality/value Empirical research into financial aspects of organised crime manifestations is important for the assumptions that are part of public debate to be tested. In addition, understanding the broader range of financial aspects of organised crime is an important component of the process of crimes for gain and can contribute to both better investigation and better prevention.

The financial management of cocaine trafficking in Italy

“…Social capital. Connections and social relations are equally or even more important compared with start-up capital in order to enter and continue to run the cocaine business for all segments, as pointed out by the majority of interviewed experts and previous studies (Bouchard, 2007;Hall and Antonopoulos, 2017;Matrix Knowledge Group, 2007;Zaitch, 2002). The most cited example throughout the interviews was the 'Ndrangheta.…”

“…Uncovering the structure and social organization of the Italian cocaine market and its related financial issues adds important knowledge to research (Kleemans, 2015). Furthermore, it can improve the understanding and representation of organized crime (Hall and Antonopoulos, 2017) and foster preventative and control activities by law enforcement agencies and policy makers at the European and international level.…”

Legal challenges for the cannabis industry

“…For now, it pays those UK businesses involved in the cannabis business within the UK, overseas or both to give some good attention to the laws and regulation behind the use of cannabis. As it now stands, the industry is heavily regulated and marked by opaque financial arrangements (Hall, 2017) surrounding the industry.…”

‘Diving for dope’: Identity in submarine drug policing at the ‘maritime gateway to Europe’

“…Next to its logistical importance in the international supply chain, PoR is an important European hub for cargo and metal theft, as well as human trafficking, transport of contraband cigarettes, forbidden wildlife and illegal arms, and environmental crime (Hall and Antonopoulos, 2017;Marks and Van Sluis, 2010). Various global criminal organizations, such as the Italian 'Ndrangheta, the Columbian traquetos and the Chinese Triads, and more recently the Albanian Mafia Shqiptare, run their illegal businesses -sometimes collaboratively -in PoR (Bovenkerk et al, 2003;De Jong and Voskuil, 2017).…”

“…The maritime domain has 'potentially the greatest impact on the total quantities of drugs smuggled, as well as on trafficking flows and the availability of illicit drugs at the global level' (UNODC, 2015: 230). Functioning as transnational hubs where increasingly licit flows of people, technologies and goods and the illicit flows of illegal trafficking, corruption and terrorism intersect, ports are key sites for drug trafficking (Hall and Antonopoulos, 2017;Zaitch, 2002). Interventions in maritime shipping rarely happen at sea, and for this reason must take place in ports.…”