Personal Characteristics of a Participant in a Plea Agreement in Illegal Drug Trafficking Cases

Based on scientific research on the typical profile of a participant in illegal drug trafficking (hereinafter referred to as DT), an analysis of judicial and investigative practice materials, and interviews with investigative agency personnel, the paper for the first time presents a typical forensic profile of a suspect (accused) in criminal cases on the illegal trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, engaged in cooperation in accordance with Chapter 40.1 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation. It is concluded that cooperation is most promising with the following participants in illicit drug trafficking: the distributor of wholesale batches of narcotic drugs; the organizer (leader) of a criminal group; and a person carrying out the organizer’s instructions. The characteristics of individuals with whom it is most advisable to conclude a plea agreement (hereinafter PA) are identified. These specified members of criminal groups possess skills in using crypto exchanges in 48.3% of cases, and in 42,4% of cases, they are skilled in using software tools for anonymizing online activity. Studying the personality of members of criminal associations with whom a plea agreement can be concluded contributes to a more accurate prediction of the application of PA provisions and the effective selection of tactical methods for identifying and uncovering all the activities and participants of criminal communities.