Online report 20/07 The illicit drug trade in the United Kingdom

This report presents findings from interviews with 222 imprisoned drug dealers and traffickers. It provides a detailed insight into the operation of the market for illicit drugs, filling an important gap in our understanding. The findings will be used for the further development of policy and operations to disrupt the supply of illegal drugs.

The report includes information on how dealers and traffickers enter the market, how they run their enterprises and the risks they perceive. Those involved in the drug trade claimed that entry into the trade was relatively easy and the profits to be made were large. They also claimed that the risks they faced were not significant – notwithstanding the fact that all were caught and imprisoned. They considered that law enforcement had an impact on drug supply and markets, and reported that asset recovery caused offenders marked discomfort.