Drug Trafficking's Effects on Coastal Ecosystems

摘要

In their policy forum "drug policy as conservation policy: Narco-deforestation" (31 January, p. 489), K. McSweeney et al. explain how Central American drug trafficking contributes to forest loss. Coastal ecosystems are also affected by drug trafficking. Coastal drug trafficking is prominent along the Mesoamerican corridor (1). Shrimp and lobster fishing ports often double as trafficking centers, and small reef islands are occupied by narco-traffickers whose clandestine operations seed fear and corruption (2, 3).