ABSTRACT
In the past several years, increasing amounts of anecdotal information seem to establish a link between the drug trade and the trade in or smuggling of human beings. From Latin America over Morocco to Central Asia, reports abound of the growing human-smuggling industry now being perpetrated by actors previously engaged in the drug trade, and this is true both for the trade in human beings and for the smuggling of willing migrants, including the facilitation of terrorist transportation. Moreover, while the involvement of insurgent and terrorist groups in narcotics trafficking has been known for some time, it is increasingly apparent that these groups are also involved in a direct manner in human trafficking and smuggling. On top of the already serious social and political implications of this rapidly growing form of organized crime, this link implies further and very problematic security implications.
