Drug Smuggler Nation: Narcotics and the Netherlands, 1920-1995

The international drug regulatory regime of the twentieth century failed to stop the increase in trade and consumption of illegal drugs due to the proliferation of small, anarchic groups and networks of smugglers and suppliers organized without a strict formal hierarchy. These networks created a thriving underground industry of illegal synthetic drug laboratories and indoor cannabis cultivation in the Netherlands, made possible by the deep historical social and cultural 'embeddedness of criminal anarchy in Dutch society.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 304 pages
\n Publication date: 02 February 2021
\n Publisher: Manchester University Press
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The international drug regulatory regime of the twentieth century faced significant challenges in preventing the explosive increase in trade and consumption of illegal drugs. This study aims to investigate the histories of smugglers and criminal entrepreneurs in the Netherlands who succeeded in transforming the country into the so-called "Colombia of Europe" or the international drug supermarket.

The increasing state regulations and interventions in the twentieth century created a favorable environment for the proliferation of small, anarchic groups and networks that were well-suited to evade enforcement of regulations. These networks were organized without strict formal hierarchies and were based on personal relations and cultural affinities rather than institutional arrangements. This led to the establishment of thriving underground industries of illegal synthetic drug laboratories and indoor cannabis cultivation in the Netherlands.

The deep historical, social, and cultural "embeddedness of criminal anarchy" in Dutch society played a crucial role in enabling and developing these networks. The Netherlands has a long history of drug smuggling, dating back to the 16th century when the Dutch East India Company was involved in the trade of opium and other drugs. This history of drug trafficking continued to shape the country's drug policies and practices throughout the twentieth century.

Drug smuggler nation delves into the deeper and hidden grounds of the illegal drug trade, exploring its effects on drug policies and society. The book provides examples from the rich history of drug smuggling, including the operations of notorious smugglers such as Hans Wiegel and the Klaver brothers. It also sheds light on the political and economic factors that contributed to the growth of the illegal drug trade, such as the Cold War, the War on Drugs, and the globalized economy.

The study concludes that the international drug regulatory regime of the twentieth century failed to stop the explosive increase in trade and consumption of illegal drugs due to a complex interplay of factors, including the globalization of the economy, the power of criminal organizations, and the deep-seated cultural and social norms in certain countries. It emphasizes the need for a comprehensive and multifaceted approach to drug control that addresses the root causes of drug trafficking and addresses the social and economic factors that contribute to drug use.

\n Weight: 524g\n
Dimension: 223 x 146 x 26 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781526151391\n \n