Becoming a Drug Dealer in Turkey

• Author: Ruken Macit
• DOI: 10.1177/0022042617731871
• Date: 01 January 2018
• Published date: 01 January 2018
• Subject Matter: Articles

https://doi.org/10.1177/0022042617731871

Journal of Drug Issues

2018, Vol. 48(1) 106 –117

© The Author(s) 2017

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DOI: 10.1177/0022042617731871

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Article

Becoming a Drug Dealer in Turkey

Ruken Macit1

Abstract

One of the major actors of ever-increasing drug crimes is the drug dealer. Turkey is a key

country in the delivery of drugs due to its geographical location. In this research, in-depth

interviews were conducted with 20 drug dealers who were formerly convicted in Turkey’s

Diyarbakır province. Drug dealers are classified as drug smugglers, growers/manufacturers,

shippers, wholesalers, and street vendors called “corner dealer.” In this context, how drug

dealers entered the drug trade, their reasons for entering it, and their previous criminal

experiences were discussed. Important information has been gathered from the perspective

of drug dealers on the process of being a criminal in the drug business. It is believed that the

information provided will shed light on the problems of countries struggling with drugs.

Keywords

crime sociology, drug dealer, habitus, social capital, field

Introduction

Drug trafficking is an activity that involves the importation, manufacturing, cultivation, distribu-

tion, and/or sale of illicit drugs. In this hierarchical system, narcotics are moved from smugglers,

growers, or manufacturers to wholesalers who pass the product down through the chain of distri-

bution to retailers and eventually to the consumer or drug user (Desroches, 2007, p. 827). One of

the most important actors of drug trafficking is the drug dealer.

There are many different definitions for “drug dealer” in the literature on crime. Ward (2000)

defines “committed drug seller” as someone whose main source of income is drug sales. Murphy,

Waldorf, & Reinman (1990) define “dealer” as a person who is “fronted” or buys large quantities

of drugs for sale. In addition, there is no clear demarcation between who is considered a dealer

and who is simply a customer as so many recreational users participate in both sides of drug

transactions (Parker, 2000). The diversity of narcotic substances and therefore the fact that the

people who manufacture, distribute, and sell each substance are generally referred to as “drug

dealers” cause the definition of “drug dealer” to differ. Different definitions stem from the mul-

tidimensional and hierarchical nature of drug trafficking.

Drug selling, a kind of organized crime, includes several types of information. The article examines

the criminalization period of drug dealers, who are one of the basic elements of the drug market. The

way in which drug dealers begin involvement in the drug trade, their previous criminal experiences,

and the reasons for involvement that they convey are discussed in relation to the criminilization period.

In doing so, the theoretical framework for the Bourdieusian approach will first be established.

1Mersin University, Turkey

Corresponding Author:

Ruken Macit, Researcher Assistant, Department of Sociology, Mersin University, Yenisehir, Mersin 33343, Turkey.

Email: Rukenmacit@mersin.edu.tr

731871JODXXX10.1177/0022042617731871Journal of Drug IssuesMacit

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