Inside the mind of a drug trafficker

In a qualitative study conducted by the Singapore Prison Service and Central Narcotics Bureau, drug traffickers were interviewed to gain insights into their decision-making process.

The study identified several key factors influencing their involvement in drug trafficking.

These included:

Individual factors such as thrill-seeking, impulsivity and criminal thinking patterns;

Contextual factors such as deviant social networks and exposure to drug abusers; and,

Situational factors including financial strain, the desire for money, and the need to sustain their own drug habits. 

Read their confessions:

“Sometimes, you [get] contacts. When you are packing the packs, you feel the thrill. It’s like I feel [I] your profession. I feel [I] like the thrill.” 
 
“[It’s] part of our gang activity, earning quite good money… Never think about it [consequences], it’s just like a business.” 
 
“I enjoy la... I... go drink la. Everyday drink. I always go coffee shop, I drink my [10 cans of beer]... Somemore night club drink [liquor]...I spend 1,000 [dollars] a day... I always gamble, today win tomorrow lose.” 

“We all smoke [the drug] then we must take [money] what. Some smoke, some sell la. The money come ah, we rolling back.” 

“To spend money. Like I said, greed... You have all these luxuries, you don’t have to work so damn hard under people’s supervision, under people’s shout and call like that... you can buy what you want, eat what you want, spend what you want...”