Smuggling is the illegal transportation of people or goods into or out of a country or area. Most people who smuggle goods are trying to avoid the payment of customs duties, or taxes (see Tariff ). But drug smugglers want big profits for illegal drugs–that is, drugs whose possession and sale are normally forbidden by law. Most countries put customs officers at seaports and along their borders. These officers may examine shipments of merchandise as well as the baggage of travelers to make sure customs duties are paid. Some countries ban the importation of a particular article. For example, the United States once prohibited the importing of alcoholic liquors. Violation of such laws also is called smuggling. Illegal drugs involved in smuggling include marijuana, cocaine, and heroin.
People guilty of smuggling may be punished by fines, imprisonment, or by having the goods taken, according to the seriousness of the offense. In the United States, no one is held guilty of smuggling unless he or she has acted intentionally.
See also Money laundering .
