Crop to coke: a script of the cocaine trade within Colombian borders

Abstract

The cocaine trade within Colombia involves a complex sequence of criminal activities, from coca cultivation to domestic distribution, shaped by violence, corruption, environmental degradation, and health risks. Despite extensive interest in Colombia’s cocaine trade, to date most scholarly attention about this trade within Colombia’s borders has been fragmented. The current study addresses this by providing a systematic examination of the cocaine trade in Colombia, using crime script analysis to integrate open-source intelligence, systematic document selection, expert interviews, and a quality assurance protocol. Drawing on academic literature, grey sources, and investigative journalism, we reveal the interdependencies between stages in the cocaine trade and the pervasive role of armed groups, territorial control, and institutional fragility. Beyond providing new empirical insights, this study contributes methodologically by refining the crime scripting process to improve transparency and replicability. The resulting script is a versatile tool for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers, offering a structured foundation for designing interventions to disrupt the cocaine trade and mitigate its harms.