Citation

Zhao M. Int. J. Offender Ther. Comp. Criminol. 2019; ePub(ePub): 306624X19866119.

Affiliation

Ghent University, Belgium.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0306624X19866119

PMID

31375046

Abstract

Although China has played a significant role in the emergence and expansion of new psychoactive substances (NPS) worldwide, little research has specifically focused on the illicit supply of NPS within China and smuggling from China. In this study, data were extracted from sentencing files obtained from closed criminal cases to develop an objective understanding of the NPS supply chain in China. The sample consisted of 341 major cases concerning the illicit supply of three groups of NPS (ketamine, synthetic cathinone, and fentanyl) and five categories of offense, including manufacturing, distributing, retailing, transporting, and manufacturing-retailing. Significant differences between these categories of offense in terms of offenders' profiles, behaviors, and supply patterns were observed. Our results suggest the existence of a dynamic and complex supply network both in China and in terms of smuggling routes from China.

Language: en

Keywords

fentanyl; illicit supply; ketamine; new psychoactive substances (NPS); supply reduction; synthetic cathinone