Illicit Drug Trade, Black Money and Society in Western Amazon

In this article, the author describes the emergence of drug-related black economy in Akra state of Brazil. This state is located in the joint border with Bolivia and Peru. There is a long distance between this state and distribution/selling centers, so there is no industrial laboratories for manufacturing cocaine and drug traders export freebase to Peru and from where to Colombia. Regarding the long distance between Akra and Brazilian capital and its economy which is based on agriculture and trade of rubber and cocaine, the trade of cocaine is a cover for illicit drug traffic. The traders of this state have created a secure edge through their influence among the staff of airport, the police, judiciary and other relevant centers. However, broad social influence is based on family netwoks which have deep roots in the police.Well-known families which have relations not only with criminal organizations but also with police forces, control cocaine market and obtain huge wealth which spreads their power and influence over this state. In this article, the author reviews the effects of cocaine trade on emerging black money as well as the influnce of criminal groups over society.