Narco-retailing: a neologism to describe the sale of narcotic drugs

Abstract

he so-called retail drug-dealing or retail narco-business is a multi-cause phenomenon taking place at the vicinities of points-of-sale where narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances are sold, in association with social conflictivity, violence, and criminality manifestations. The behavior of actors involved in the sale, purchase and use of illegal drugs promotes disturbances affecting the pacific co-existence of the inhabitants in these sectors, in both their individual and collective environment.

The purpose of this investigation was to identify the structure and functioning of the retail-drug dealing phenomenon from a policy intelligence method, in order to provide Police commanders with advice in their decision-making regarding planning and service rendering, as well as their interaction with political-administrative authorities. Fact-finding helped identify the drug dealing properties and the features of the criminal organization having monopolized this criminal activity in the city of Pereira (Risaralda), Colombia. The methodology used for the subjective construction of the retail narco-business was of a descriptive qualification and quantification nature, based on the theory of social representations with a phenomenological approach.

The phenomenon of retail drug-dealing is associated to the drug trafficking market; it is structured for the purpose of favoring and minimizing the profits of an illegal actor based on an organizational model that will secure him both stability and protection at the time of settling in the territory, together with mechanisms leading to constrain people's collective behavior.