Smart Otu

The Sociology of Drug Trafficking and Drug Traffickers: a Perspective from South Africa Smart Otu

The study provides a detailed analysis of drug traffickers and trafficking in Cape Town. The research draws samples of inmates held on drug trafficking offences in two South African Prisons, Pollsmoor and Goodwood in Cape Town. The sociological- criminology analysis of the findings provides information such as, that potential offenders, at society?s margins, are vulnerable to co-option into the drug economy. These findings also debunk some traditionally long held views of drug trafficking in South Africa--that drugs promote gangsterism, and that it is only economically driven. It also suggests that all categories and classes of people are involved in this process, and that there is a link between trafficking and gun pathology. Additionally, the crime-violence-drug nexus is confirmed. Multiple factors present in multiple domains?individual, family, school, peer group, and neighbourhood/community play a role. This study synthesises the multiple factors identified and explained in this work suggests a paradigm describing the causal processes of drug traffickers and trafficking. This is described as the redefined General Integrated Social Development Paradigm or Model (GISDP).