Exploring the Nexus of Human Trafficking and Drug Trafficking in a Border County

This project aims to explore the connectivity of criminal networks engaging in both drug and human trafficking. We seek to understand the network dynamics and operational characteristics of criminal networks operating across two illicit markets. The findings will enhance law enforcement's ability to investigate and prosecute cases, as well as deepen the understanding of how members of organized networks recruit and control victims of sex trafficking. This study is a collaborative effort between the University of Massachusetts Lowell and the Justice Information Resource Network (JIRN).

Data collection includes in-depth interviews, cross-sectional analysis of court cases, and longitudinal analysis of selected cases. Our in-depth interviews will target four groups of respondents in San Diego County: (1) ex-drug traffickers (N=30); (2) ex-sex traffickers (N=30); (3) survivors of sex trafficking (N=30); and (4) law enforcement investigators (N=20).

Our study seeks to explore: (1) what existing data sources (e.g., court cases, law enforcement investigator reports, self-reports from ex-traffickers) may be triangulated to explore the nexus between drug and human trafficking organizations; (2) In what aspects drug trafficking and human trafficking networks overlap with each other, operationally and/or organizationally; (3) whether the involvement in both criminal enterprises is deliberate or coincidental, that is, an organization with a primary focus on one criminal market occasionally drifts into another market due to fortuitous opportunities or intentional organizational decision; (4) what the primary operational tactics (e.g., encrypted communication, use of dark web, in-person transactions) are employed by different these networked organizations to engage in both drug and human trafficking activities; (5) if the market conditions are unique to drug trafficking or human trafficking constrain or alter organizational behavior so that vulnerabilities of criminal networks can be identified and exploited by law enforcement agencies; and (6) the obstacles and challenges that law enforcement agencies face in investigating and combating these multi-purpose criminal networks.

This research will provide critical insights into how dual-market criminal organizations operate, and how varied practices in victim recruitment and control patterns are influenced by network dynamics such as group type, size, and evolution of the network. Expected products include a comprehensive final report, scholarly articles, policy briefs, and conference presentations. This groundbreaking project is crucial to determining the best practices for disrupting these markets and reducing victimization. CA/NCF