PSS303: Transnational Crime: SALW Trafficking & Drug Networks

Question 1

A significant issue regarding transnational organised crime groups is their ability to effortlessly traffic small arms and light weapons (SALW). These weapons are crucial instruments that enable and motivate organised crime syndicates and terrorist organizations to carry out their acts of intimidation and violence. An article published in April 2025 revealed how SALW continues to be a major cause of armed violence around the world, and that women and girls are disproportionately affected by their misuse, including abuse, community insecurity, and conflict-related sexual violence. The full article can be accessed through https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/salw–continues–to–be–major–cause–of–armed–violence.

(a) Considering the information provided by the article and other relevant sources, illustrate TWO (2) characteristics of SALW trafficking in Nepal and their connection to violence against women and girls. Thereafter, examine how the “matriarchal approaches to peacebuilding” discussed in the article could serve as a strategy to combat this transnational crime.  (30 marks)

(b) Assess three different roles and responsibilities of the Nepalese government in preventing SALW trafficking, taking into account the geographical location of Nepal, which borders India, Tibet, and China. Your discussion should incorporate perspectives on the roles and responsibilities legal enforcement, security, and diplomacy.  (30 marks)

Question 2

Read the key findings of the World Drug Report 2024 by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The e-booklet can be downloaded through the following link:

Drawing on the UNDOC report and other relevant sources as your references, compare the development of transnational drug networks in terms of their expansion, global reach, and convergence with other transnational crimes before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, with reference to the Singapore context, analyse TWO (2) ways to prevent transnational drug networks from penetrating the local community. (40 marks)

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Safety and Security Answers: Expert Answers on Above Questions on Transnational Crime

Characteristics of SALW trafficking in Nepal
The geographical location of Nepal indicates that it is on an open border with India and China and it facilitates illegal arms movement. As a result of such illegal movements, it poses a threat in the form of insecurity to women and girls. With respect to the application of SALW in gender based violence, trafficked weapons contribute towards the issues of sexual violence, intimidation of women, domestic abuse and all these results into fear and inequality.
Matriarchal approaches to peacebuilding
The initiatives that can be undertaken includes including women in the mediation, and promoting disarmament programs. By providing sufficient authority to women, it is possible to achieve reduction in the armed violence and the social norms enabling trafficking.
Roles and responsibilities of the Nepalese government in controlling trafficking
The Nepalese government have a significant role to play, as they can ensure legal enforcement to strengthen border control, adapt security measures in the form of detecting smuggling routes and adopt diplomacy strategies in the form of talks to India and China for intelligence sharing.
Transnational drug network
The traditional trafficking routes before covid-19 were sea, air and land whereas after covid, the network expanded with digital tools and parcel services. The prevention strategies considered by Singapore include strong law enforcement and border control and community prevention programs such as educational campaigns targeted at drug syndicates.

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