Guidelines for the Investigation and Suppression of Drug Trafficking Network on Social Media

Abstract

The objectives of this research were 1) to study the problems and obstacles in investigating and suppressing drug trafficking networks on social media. 2) to propose guidelines for the investigation and suppression of drug trafficking networks on social media. This study utilized qualitative research with the in-depth interview research method, 21 key informants who were drug enforcement agents, criminology and criminal justice experts, information technology experts, and private sector service providers. They were recruited using purposive sampling participated in semi-structured interviews. And qualitative data analysis through content analysis.

The research findings are as follows: 1. The problems and obstacles in investigating and cracking down on drug trafficking networks on social media include issues related to anonymity on social media, problems and obstacles in tracing financial pathways, legal issues, human resource issues, budgetary issues, issues with tools and equipment, management issues, and issues with cooperation between the public and private sectors. 2. The approaches to investigating and cracking down on drug trafficking networks on social media include suggestions for investigation and evidence collection, suggestions related to personnel, budgetary suggestions, suggestions for equipment and technological tools, management suggestions, legal suggestions, and suggestions for cooperation between the public and private sectors. The new knowledge is that the approach to investigating and cracking down on drug trafficking networks on social media involves fact-finding and evidence collection, data coordination between relevant government agencies and the private sector, gathering facts and evidence, planning arrests of drug trafficking networks on social media, and planning the apprehension of drug trafficking networks on social media.