Section 1
In the article titled Smuggling , the author explains how importation of marijuana in United States was hectic, since women carried the largest responsibility since they carried it in small amounts. The women concealed the bhang in their personal belongings, bras, and underwear. Alternatively, it was loaded in suitcases and transported using cars or commercial airplanes. Nevertheless, it is essential to note that surveillance at the borders became more intense when consumption of marijuana was considered to pose some threat to members of society. It is the change in policies that marked the beginning of smuggling business. Initially, a truck capable of transporting 40 kg shipment was used but later more vans and buses carried between 200-250 kilos of marijuana in one trip. The business of smuggling also evolved from days when the smuggler would purchase marijuana from brokers in Mexico and transport in the United States. However, this aspect changed and smugglers were responsible for protecting a network of people they employed to conduct all the dirty work minimizing the risk of being caught. Similarly, the modes of smuggling widened to include both air and water smuggling. Each of the two techniques involved varying techniques that targeted at ensuring that the smugglers were not caught before their shipment arrived in designated areas. The smugglers had to have customers to whom they sold the products aimed at completing the supply chain. The selling price of these drugs depended on a wide range of factors that included location, risks, quality, market prices, and cost of acquisition. For instance, the smugglers considered the distance traveled to acquire the drugs when determining the selling price. It is essential to note that even though the smugglers created some form of friendship with their customers, the transactions were business dominated and their interaction did not affect the price of marijuana.
The author relied on primary data when compiling available information because in several instances he quotes direct words from individuals involved in the trade. Similarly, the author also incorporated opinions from other scholars, which is evident through the in text citations. The collection of the data followed a qualitative methodology because no statistical concepts were involved in compilation of data. The information outlined in the resource gives detailed information on the evolution that took place in marijuana smuggling business from Mexico to the United States.
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Section 2
The research questions used in collecting information pertaining smuggling of marijuana from Mexico to the United States. The questions are closed in such a way that it was impossible to explore the evolution of smuggling for other drugs. In case open ended questions were used in exploring the history of smuggling, probably it would be possible to identify other strategies that are useful in the business both in the past and present. Nevertheless, the author had a clear concept that emphasized on the growth of marijuana in Mexico by the poor and demonstrated how the commodities reached the market. The findings made in this reading are similar to concepts learned in class, especially on the factors considered when determining the price of drugs to the consumers. Moreover, it is interesting to note that marijuana was grown by the poor farmers in Mexico and they did not directly sell their products. Instead, they involved brokers who set the price for the smugglers. Subsequently, the brokers were the greatest beneficiaries because they could purchase the products at low prices from farmers and sell it at higher value to the smugglers. Finally, I agree with the author’s conclusion on evolution of smuggling business since the days when women were used to transport marijuana to the use of both air and water transport. Similarly, the factors outlined as the determinant of marijuana pricing to the final consumers are convincing.
