Underworld Trade Secrets unveils the hidden world of illicit trade, revealing how it intertwines with globalization, political corruption, and organized crime. The book explores how seemingly legitimate trade practices can mask money laundering and drug trafficking, contributing to a shadow economy that thrives on weak governance and regulatory loopholes. For example, free trade zones, intended to boost economic activity, can be exploited to move illegal goods across borders, enabling criminal networks to flourish.
The book dissects the methods used in illicit trade, the structures of the criminal networks, and the political contexts that enable these activities. It uses diverse sources like government reports and leaked financial records, along with network analysis, to model the relationships between various actors.
Structured in three parts, the book first introduces core concepts, then examines specific commodities and regions, and finally explores potential solutions, making it a valuable resource for policymakers, law enforcement, and anyone seeking to understand the complexities of the global economy.
