Smuggling - Illegal Transport

Smuggling, also known as trafficking, can apply both to goods and people. By definition, smuggling is the illegal transport of these, particularly across the border of two countries.

The goods or contraband that are transported through smuggling are deemed illegal for unlicensed possession. People illegally transported, on the other hand, are considered illegal immigrants particularly if they paid a smuggler to get them through the border. There are cases however, when people are transported by force and against their will. Yet, it is estimated that 90% of the people who are illegally crossing the US-Mexico border paid a smuggler to get them across.

Smuggling lets offenders avoid taxes for the goods, and in case of smuggling people, it lets people into an area they are not allowed to be in. Smuggling is also use to transport prohibited or restricted goods such as drugs, tobacco, liquors, and weapons.

The profit that can come from smuggling can be extensive. For instance, a truckload of illegal cigarettes can bring as much as $2 million in profit.

Smuggling -  Ways of Getting Across

Smuggling can be classified to two methods.

Concealment of the Whole Transport. This involves avoiding border checks altogether by going through smuggling routes and smuggling tunnels.

Concealment of the Goods. This involves letting the transport vehicle go through border checks but with the goods hidden in the luggage, clothing, or even in specialized hidden compartments in the vehicle.

The Evolution of Smuggling

The place of smuggling in history goes a long way and with deep roots. While the major reason for smuggling throughout history is to avoid levy on the goods, certain factors could also have contributed to the development and prevalence of smuggling.

1. Necessity of the Goods. In an age when the quality of products were most valued, it is not uncommon for citizens to clamor for better quality of the goods they buy especially when their country is incapable of producing the desired quality. This need, particularly by the rich, calls for the importation of higher quality products which at the same time opened the market for contraband.
2. Increasing Taxes. Wars and plagues in history threatened the size of the population which meant less collected taxes and fewer funds for the governments. Thus, governments tend to increase the levy they charge over goods encouraging more people to avoid taxes by smuggling.
3. Corrupt Officials. Customs officials in history were very badly paid and benefited from the smuggled goods.

Smuggling Tunnels - Paving the Way

Smuggling tunnels are secret underground tunnels that are used to smuggle people and contraband to avoid detection. Some of the most well-known smuggling tunnels are the smuggling tunnels in Sarajevo, Bosnia and in Rafaj, Gaza Strip.

Militants are also known to use smuggling tunnels to escape the authorities. Some tunnels are also used by terrorist organizations to smuggle weapons and explosives.

Smuggling tunnels are usually manually dug from house basements or olive groves and can go as deep as 15 meters deep and 800 meters long. Smuggling tunnels are run as business with the family operating them earning hefty sums from the operations.

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