Introduction xiii
world. For example, about 80 percent of gemstone-quality rubies are found and
mined in Myanmar. Many are mined in remote areas in which Myanmar’s govern-
ment has little control, making it easier to transport them illegally out of the coun-
try to be sold elsewhere. Their small size makes gemstones easy to hide and smuggle
into other countries.
Similarly, many species of wildlife are endemic to small areas within partic u lar
countries. Birds of paradise, which are valued for their showy and beautiful feath-
ers, are found only on the island of New Guinea and nearby islands. Even within
these islands, many are restricted to small areas such as mountains. Trafficking in
wildlife and wildlife products, such as the feathers of birds of paradise, the tusks of
elephants, and the horns of rhinoceroses, has caused many of these species to
become endangered and in some cases to face extinction in the wild.
Trafficking in antiquities and art objects is also commonplace. Antiquities include
items found at archaeological sites along with ancient or medieval artifacts. Antiq-
uities, paintings, sculptures, and other art objects are also transferred illegally across
international boundaries. Those created by famous artists can be worth thousands
and even millions of dollars. Especially during wartime, some are trafficked after
having been stolen or looted from museums or private collections. Archaeological
sites are also subject to looting. For example, the state of conflict and civil war in
the Middle East has created an international black market for commodities taken
from ancient sites of great archaeological importance. Rare coins and other antiq-
uities can also be smuggled easily between places.
Food, medicine, currency, identity papers, and many other commodities are also
subject to trafficking. Indeed, any commodity of value can be and often is trafficked.
Trafficking in commodities is not limited to material goods; software, music, and
intellectual property are also traded illegally across international boundaries.
In examining trafficking, it is also important to examine the trafficking process
by which goods are transferred across international boundaries. This requires con-
sideration of the nature of boundaries themselves. The nature and location of bound
aries often affect the trafficking process. Many goods, especially small ones such as
gemstones and illegal drugs, are smuggled between places by persons crossing bor-
ders directly. Larger commodities are transferred in trucks, automobiles, and other
motor vehicles, as well as on cargo ships. Trafficking by air is not unusual, as pas-
sengers attempt to smuggle valuable goods onto airplanes.
This volume is devoted to investigating trafficking and the trafficking process
in various forms. Following a more detailed introduction, the book is divided into
sections on the process of how trafficking happens, human trafficking, commodity
trafficking, and country profiles about how trafficking is practiced in various
countries throughout the world. The volume also includes excerpts from impor
tant treaties, international agreements, and laws regarding the trafficking process.
Note: All dollar amounts mentioned throughout the book are in U.S. dollars.
