Doctoral Thesis / Dissertation from the year 2017 in the subject Law -
Criminal process, Criminology, Law Enforcement, grade: A, language:
English, abstract: Close proximity to the major production zones, porous
borderlands, mountainous frontiers and long coastlines offer
advantageous conditions for trafficking narcotics. The illicit drug
situation has become much more complex in Vietnam with the growth in
amphetamine-type stimulants production and trade. Even so, empirical
research and analysis of the organization and operation of transnational
narcotics trafficking (TransNT) remains limited. The purpose of this
thesis is to present the first detailed inquiry into the nature of
TransNT across the border between Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR)
and Vietnam using an exploratory approach which draws upon qualitative
and quantitative methods. In particular, the thesis presents findings
from case studies of cross-border trafficking between Vietnam and Lao
PDR in the period of 2003-2013 combined with interview and survey data
from criminal investigation police and drug-related crimes officers
(CIPDRC) from six border provinces who are directly and indirectly
involved in investigating these cases. The findings of this study
indicate that drug markets in Vietnam are not controlled by
monopolistic, hierarchical organizations or 'cartels'. The structures of
TransNT entities operating across the Lao-Vietnam border are small,
based on family ties and fellow-countrymen relations, are fluid and
loosely organized. They are very adaptable and sophisticated with
diverse modus operandi and multiple divisions of labour. This presents
particular challenges to law enforcement agencies (LAEs). This thesis
questions to capacity of Vietnam's police to enforce the government's
zero-tolerance anti-narcotics policy. The study highlights practical
problems and specific barriers in combating TransNT. LEAs in Vietnam and
Lao PDR operate without effective mechanisms to cooperate and
