The illicit drug trade in the Asia-Pacific region and cooperation between states on this issue

The issue of illicit drug trafficking in the Asia-Pacific region is a significant and multifaceted challenge, with specific cultural and historical characteristics. The countries of the region are working to address this issue at a national level, and are actively engaging in cooperation in this area. This paper will examine specific examples of this collaboration and its outcomes. We will also consider cooperation within international and intergovernmental organisations that play a crucial role in the global fight against drug trafficking. The significance of this research stems from the fact that, despite the long history of the drug issue in the region, the harm it causes to the populations, environment, and economies of these countries continues to increase annually. The forms of trafficking are also evolving, blending with other criminal activities, making it more difficult to monitor. The scientific novelty of this research lies in its comprehensive approach to the study of the issue, which incorporates both quantitative and qualitative analysis as well as a comparative examination of various countries in the Asia-Pacific region and their approaches to drug control. The theoretical foundation of the research is based on works in the fields of criminology, international relations, and sociology, allowing for a more in-depth understanding of the nature of drug-related crime and potential methods to reduce it. Given the narrow scope of the topic, the study requires data from a diverse range of fields, including history, criminal law, and international law issues. The primary objective of this research is to examine the extent and characteristics of illegal drug trafficking in the Asia Pacific Region (APR) and to investigate the mechanisms of cooperation among states in addressing this menace. It is crucial to identify how international efforts, regional arrangements, and bilateral relations impact the efficacy of the fight against illicit drug trade. The study aims to delve into the historical backdrop that has contributed to the proliferation of drug trafficking within the region. It will analyze the current state of drug trafficking issues in the Asia-Pacific, including statistical data and identified trends. Additionally, legislative and it will scrutinize enforcement measures implemented by various countries in the region to combat the drug challenge. Furthermore, the research will explore the sources and significant international agreements in place in this domain.; Consideration of the roles of international organizations and initiatives, such as the United Nations (UN), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), in coordinating the efforts of countries in the region, is essential. An assessment of the roles played by customs and law enforcement agencies, as well as their associations, in addressing this issue is also crucial. Various methods will be employed to accomplish these tasks. A qualitative analysis of data will serve as the primary approach, allowing for an evaluation of the existing regulations and practices of countries within the region. In addition, a quantitative approach will be utilized for statistical analysis of information on illicit drug trafficking, significant aspect will be the application of theories of globalization and transnational networks as drug cartels operate across national borders through these networks. including international reports organisations, from government documents, and academic papers. The use of comparative analysis will aid in identifying the strengths and weaknesses of various countries’ approaches to addressing the issue. The study will employ several theoretical frameworks. Firstly, these are frameworks of international law which consider the responsibility of states to combat transnational crime. Additionally, sociological and economic theories will be utilized, analyzing the factors contributing to the proliferation of drug trafficking such as poverty, corruption, and social instability. A Various sources were consulted in the preparation of this report. These include the fundamental international treaties of the United Nations, such as the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961, which forms the basis for the statistics presented in this report. Statistics were also drawn from the UNODC’s annual World Drug Report and the WCO’s Illicit Trade Report. Domestic and international experts in law, sociology, and security were consulted, as were relevant articles published in academic journals on transnational crime and successful cooperation between countries in the fight against drug trafficking. Special attention was paid to examples from countries in the Asia-Pacific region, given the similarities in context.

1. Davenport-Hines R. V poiskah zabveniya. Vsemirnaya istoriya narkotikov 15002000 [The Pursuit of Oblivion: A Global History of Narcotics 1500-2000] / Per. A. Savinova. — M.: AST, 2004. — 632 p.

2. Kochetkov D.S. Zolotoj treugol’nik»: kratkaya istoriya i nashi dni [The Golden Triangle: a brief history and our days] / D. S. Kochetkov // Yugo-Vostochnaya Aziya: aktual’nye problemy razvitiya. — 2019. — № 2(43). — URL: https://sea.ivran.ru/fSEA2019n2(43)p215-232.pdf (accessed: 09.02.2025).

3. Labbé M.F. Drogas en Chile 1900-1970. Mercado, consumo y representación / M.F. Labbé. — Santiago de Chile: C y C impresores, 2011. — 197 p.

4. Magliocca N. et al. Comparative Analysis of Illicit Supply Network Structure and Operations: Cocaine, Wildlife, and Sand / N. Magliocca, A. Torres, J. Margulies, K. McSweeny // Journal of Illicit Economies and Development. – 2021. – №3. – pp. 5073. – DOI: 10.31389/jied.76 (accessed: 09.02.2025).

5. McCoy A. W. The Politics of Heroin: CIA Complicity in the Global Drug Trade / A. McCoy. – Chicago: Lawrence Hill Books, 2003. – URL: https://archive.org/details/ alfred-w.-mc-coy-the-politics-of-heroin-2003/page/n7/mode/2up (accessed: 09.02.2025).

6. The scientific revolution: an encyclopedia / Ed. by W.E. Burns. – Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, 2001. — 386 p.

7. Tai Lands and Thailand: Community and State in Southeast Asia / Ed. by A. Walker. – Singapore: ASAA Southeast Asia Publications Series, 2009. – URL: https:// nuspress.nus.edu.sg/products/tai-lands-and-thailand (accessed: 09.02.2025).

8. Trocki C. A. Opium, Empire and the Global Political Economy: A Study of the Asian Opium Trade, 1750-1950 / C.A. Trocki. – Chicago: Lawrence Hill Books, 1999. – URL: https://archive.org/details/opiumempiregloba0000troc/page/n5/mode/2up (accessed: 09.02.2025).