Narcologistics: how drug trafficking networks influence legitimate supply chain safety

This study examines how drug trafficking networks infiltrate and exploit legitimate supply chains, with the aim of identifying the mechanisms through which narcologistics undermine the safety, integrity, and resilience of legal logistics systems. The research is based on a review of academic literature, publicly available reports from international organisations (including UNODC and Europol), and case studies of documented incidents involving the contamination of legal supply chains by criminal networks. A comparative analysis of selected regions was conducted to identify recurring patterns of exploitation. The findings indicate that drug trafficking organisations systematically exploit vulnerabilities in global supply chains, including inadequate cargo inspection procedures, corruption among logistics personnel, and the complexity of international freight networks. The most affected sectors include maritime shipping, air freight, and cross-border road transport. The presence of narcologistics activity increases operational risk, generates financial losses, and exposes legitimate companies to legal liability. Drug trafficking networks pose a measurable and growing threat to the safety of legitimate supply chains. Effective countermeasures require international cooperation, strengthened regulatory frameworks, and the implementation of advanced cargo monitoring technologies. Supply chain security should be treated as an element of broader national and international security strategy.