Drug trafficking figures prominently in transnational organized crime. The annual profits of organized crime were estimated at one trillion dollars worldwide. Before taking steps to counter this menace, it is necessary to gather data regarding its current status and past trends. As a first step, the article examined the types of drugs at the core of the problem: narcotic drugs, psychotropic drugs, opium, morphine, heroin, cocaine, cannabis, and synthetic drugs such as amphetamines and their derivatives. Next, the article described source countries. In South and Latin America, Colombia produces cocaine and cannabis; Mexico produces cannabis; Bolivia and Peru produce cocaine. Countries in the Golden Triangle between Mayanmar, Laos, and Thailand are major sources of heroin, opium, and marijuana. The Golden Crescent, which stretches from the Pakistan-Afghanistan border to the northern part of Iran, is a source of opium. China and Russia lead in the production of synthetic drugs, but there is also some production in Holland, Poland, and other Eastern European countries. The article discussed consuming countries, transit countries, drug routes, the modus operandi of drug trafficking, and the confiscation and prosecution situation. Figures, tables, references, appendix