Cocaine Production and Trafficking: What Do We Know?

62 Pages Posted: 20 Apr 2016

See all articles by Daniel Mejia

Daniel Mejia

Universidad de los Andes, Colombia - Department of Economics

Carlos Esteban Posada

Banco de la Republica

Date Written: May 1, 2008

Abstract

The main purpose of this paper is to summarize the information currently available on cocaine production and trafficking. The paper starts by describing the available data on cocaine production and trade, the collection methodologies (if available) used by different sources, the main biases in the data, and the accuracy of different data sources. Next, it states some of the key empirical questions and hypotheses regarding cocaine production and trade and takes a first look at how well the data match these hypotheses. The paper states some of the main puzzles in the cocaine market and studies some of the possible explanations. These puzzles and empirical questions should guide future research on the key determinants of illicit drug production and trafficking. Finally, the paper studies the different policies that producer countries have adopted to fight against cocaine production and the role consumer countries play in the implementation of anti-drug policies.

Keywords: Health Monitoring & Evaluation, Environmental Economics & Policies, Crime and Society, Crops & Crop Management Systems, Economic Theory & Research

Suggested Citation

Mejia, Daniel and Posada, Carlos Esteban, Cocaine Production and Trafficking: What Do We Know? (May 1, 2008). World Bank Policy Research Working Paper No. 4618, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1149121

Daniel Mejia (Contact Author)

Universidad de los Andes, Colombia - Department of Economics ( email )

Carrera 1 No. 18 A - 10
Bogotá, AA4976
Colombia
57(1)3394949 ext 3737 (Phone)
57(1)3324492 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://economia.uniandes.edu.co/share/scripts/home/home.php

Carlos Esteban Posada

Banco de la Republica ( email )

Carrera 7 #14-78
Bogota
Colombia