Unveiling patterns and sociodemographic characteristics of drug trafficking in Dhaka city, Bangladesh

Purpose: Drug trafficking poses significant societal challenges globally, with intricate networks spanning production, transportation, and distribution. Bangladesh, being situated between major drug production hubs, faces persistent challenges despite efforts to combat the issue. This research aims to unveil the patterns and characteristics of drug trafficking in Dhaka City, Bangladesh. Methods: A descriptive survey of 1016 individuals (mean age = 26.7, the majority (55.7%) having no more than primary education) involved in drug trafficking in Dhaka City, Bangladesh, via in-person interviews using a combination of purposive and snowball sampling methods within non-contrived, natural settings and questionnaires utilizing quantitative assessments. The survey was supplemented by a broader contextual analysis of international secondary data sources concerning drug trafficking networks. Results: Sociodemographic analysis revealed a diverse profile among traffickers but notably included the significant involvement of women and children aged 15 and under. Incidence of street-living and sex work was substantial in the sample. At the same time, levels of educational attainment were generally low, and coercion was cited as a critical factor in involvement in trafficking by women and children. Heroin, weed/marijuana, and yaba (a mixture of methamphetamine and caffeine) were found to dominate trafficking into Dhaka, with specific localities functioning as key hotspots. Discussion: The study highlights the complex dynamics of drug trafficking in Bangladesh and a concerning trend of active involvement among vulnerable demographic groups. The findings underscore the urgency of a targeted and multi-pronged holistic approach to intervention. This should aim to integrate community-based strategies to address underlying socio-economic factors with community-oriented law enforcement efforts to disrupt the long-term development and ongoing activity of trafficking networks, accompanied by regional and international cooperation.