The Structure of Human Trafficking

Lifting the Bonnet on a Nigerian Transnational Network

Dados Bibliográficos

ID8401852
AutoresPaolo Campana (0000-0003-2448-9130, autor correspondente)
Ano2016
Volume56
Fascículo1
Páginas68-86
Data de publicação2016-01-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessNão
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoThe British Journal of Criminology (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0007-0955 • E-ISSN: 1464-3529
EditoraOxford University Press (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1093/bjc/azv027
OpenAlexW2099179707
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas43
Referências citadas40

The structure of human trafficking: Lifting the bonnet on a Nigerian transnational network Contrary to widespread belief, human trafficking operations are characterised by significant costs, particularly monitoring costs, and diseconomies of scale. How do traffickers achieve high capacity in their operations? This paper is an empirical in-depth study of the structure and activities of a large-scale human trafficking ring operating between Nigeria and Europe. It is based on a set of novel data sets that was manually coded and analysed using network analysis techniques, and shows that high trafficking capacity is associated with a high level of externalisation of activities. Offenders mostly act as independent agents, in a similar way to contractors. The trafficking ring does not appear to be run along ethnic or family lines, but what does emerge is a rather clear division of labour and role specialisation. Finally, the paper contributes to the broader debate on coordination in illegal settings and puts into question the idea that transnational crime is invariably best fought transnationally.

Criminology · Human trafficking · Library science · Media studies · Sociology · Computer Science · Crime, Illicit Activities, and Governance · Sex work and related issues · Wildlife Conservation and Criminology Analyses