HomeNewsBrief3 (Other) Reasons Why Drug Traffickers Might Be Turning to ‘Mules’ in Argentina
BRIEF

3 (Other) Reasons Why Drug Traffickers Might Be Turning to ‘Mules’ in Argentina

ARGENTINA / 30 JAN 2018 BY JOSEFINA SALOMÓN AND SCOTT SQUIRES EN

Authorities in Argentina say increased vigilance and enforcement has caused a spike in the use of so-called “mules” to transport drugs to the country, but there are other possible explanations.

According to figures from Argentina's Ministry of Security, reported by Clarín, the number of drug mules arrested in the South American country increased by 175 percent in 2017, in comparison with 2016.

SEE ALSO: Coverage of Argentina

Authorities say the rise in the use of drug mules is the result of a series of counternarcotics policies implemented by the Mauricio Macri administration, which resulted in record high seizures of 15 tons of cocaine in 2017 – up from the 8.5 tons seized in 2016.

The barriers imposed to the transport of drugs forced criminal groups to resort to more rudimentary ways to move cocaine and other drugs into the country, authorities claimed. The use of drug mules had decreased 64 percent between 2012 and 2013.

InSight Crime Analysis

While it is true that there is increasing official control of land routes and of illegal planes passing through the country’s northern frontier -- especially due to the expansion of Argentina’s radar capabilities and the deployment of more military personnel to the area -- there are a number of other factors that could explain the revival of the use of mules.

First, criminal organizations in the region are fragmenting. Smaller groups have neither the infrastructure nor the resources to make overland crossings possible, and therefore resort to more rudimentary methods such as the use of mules.

Secondly, some organizations producing drugs in other places may be increasing their use of Argentina as a transit hub. The resulting increase in this use of Argentina might help explain the uptick in seizures of all kinds, including mules.

Thirdly, there may be an uptick in criminal organizations specializing in the types of drugs for which mules are most useful. This includes heroin and synthetic drugs that move in smaller quantities.

In general, seizures are a poor way to measure progress or lack thereof, since so many variables determine their outcome.

What's more, there is no shortage of men and women willing to take the many risks associated with carrying up to 120 capsules of between 10 and 17 grams of cocaine, each for payments of around $1,000, particularly given the economic downturn facing most economies in the region.

share icon icon icon

Was this content helpful?

We want to sustain Latin America’s largest organized crime database, but in order to do so, we need resources.

DONATE

What are your thoughts? Click here to send InSight Crime your comments.

We encourage readers to copy and distribute our work for non-commercial purposes, with attribution to InSight Crime in the byline and links to the original at both the top and bottom of the article. Check the Creative Commons website for more details of how to share our work, and please send us an email if you use an article.

Tags

Was this content helpful?

We want to sustain Latin America’s largest organized crime database, but in order to do so, we need resources.

DONATE

Related Content

ARGENTINA / 30 SEP 2022

The capture of a young member of the Cantero family, leaders of the Monos, underlines their persistence in Argentina.

ARGENTINA / 19 NOV 2021

Once the purview of Mexican drug cartels, the production of pro-gang songs that soothe the egos of powerful criminal overlords…

ARGENTINA / 25 OCT 2021

Argentine province bordering Uruguay has become a transit hub for drug trafficking out of Paraguay, revealing a new route used…

About InSight Crime

THE ORGANIZATION

All Eyes on Ecuador

2 JUN 2023

Our coverage of organized crime in Ecuador continues to be a valuable resource for international and local news outlets. Internationally, Reuters cited our 2022 Homicide Round-Up,…

WORK WITH US

Open Position: Social Media and Engagement Strategist

27 MAY 2023

InSight Crime is looking for a Social Media and Engagement Strategist who will be focused on maintaining and improving InSight Crime’s reputation and interaction with its audiences through publishing activities…

THE ORGANIZATION

Venezuela Coverage Receives Great Reception

27 MAY 2023

Several of InSight Crime’s most recent articles about Venezuela have been well received by regional media. Our article on Venezuela’s colectivos expanding beyond their political role to control access to…

THE ORGANIZATION

InSight Crime's Chemical Precursor Report Continues

19 MAY 2023

For the second week in a row, our investigation into the flow of precursor chemicals for the manufacture of synthetic drugs in Mexico has been cited by multiple regional media…

THE ORGANIZATION

InSight Crime’s Chemical Precursor Report Widely Cited

THE ORGANIZATION / 12 MAY 2023

We are proud to see that our recently published investigation into the supply chain of chemical precursors feeding Mexico’s synthetic drug production has been warmly received.