Illicit Trade, Trafficking, and Illicit Financial Flows

Global illicit flows take diverse forms that are frequently interlinked, driven by organised crime and able to generate substantial proceeds, posing a significant threat to international security.



Illicit Trade, Trafficking, and Illicit Financial Flows

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RUSI’s research explores the nature of the threat from global illicit flows, the harm they cause and how best to respond. These flows cross multiple jurisdictions worldwide, encompassing trafficking in drugs, weapons, humans and wildlife, as well as a range of lower-risk crimes such as illicit trade in counterfeit and other commodities, whose harm is more difficult to demonstrate. The flows generate substantial illicit financial movements, which undercut development, undermine national economies and fuel further insecurity. Our work provides robust research and analysis to better understand these threats and help governments, law-enforcement agencies and compliance officials to respond more effectively.

DEA Emploee, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons


Latest event recordings


  • Recording: ‘Rinsed: From Cartels to Crypto’ - A Conversation with Geoff White

    Recording: ‘Rinsed: From Cartels to Crypto’ - A Conversation with Geoff White

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  • Recording: RUSI Annual Security Lecture 2024 by Stephen Kavanagh

    Recording: RUSI Annual Security Lecture 2024 by Stephen Kavanagh

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  • Recording: RUSI Annual Security Lecture 2023 with Graeme Biggar, Director General, NCA

    Recording: RUSI Annual Security Lecture 2023 with Graeme Biggar, Directo...

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Research programmes

Access related research programmes on this topic area

Organised Crime and Corruption Programme

Our work on organised crime and corruption explores the dynamics of illicit markets and the drivers and enablers that sustain them in order to inform effective policy responses.

Financial Crime Policy

This programme focuses on the development and implementation of effective anti-financial crime policies and regulation both in the UK and internationally.

Latest publications

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    Our experts


    Tom Keatinge

    Director, CFS

    Centre for Finance and Security

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    Cathy Haenlein

    Director of Organised Crime and Policing Studies

    Organised Crime and Policing

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    Anne-Marie Weeden

    Senior Research Fellow | SHOC Network Member - Researcher

    Organised Crime and Policing

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    Charlotte Davies

    Research Fellow

    Organised Crime and Policing

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    Dr Maria Nizzero

    Research Fellow

    Centre for Finance and Security

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    Eliza Lockhart

    Research Fellow

    Centre for Finance and Security

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    Jennifer Scotland

    Research Analyst

    Organised Crime and Policing

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    Alastair Greig

    Research Analyst

    Organised Crime and Policing

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    Mark Williams

    Programme Manager | SHOC Network Member - Researcher

    Organised Crime and Policing

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    Fellows


    Olivia Allison

    Associate Fellow; Independent Consultant

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    Professsor Felia Allum

    Senior Associate Fellow | SHOC Network Member - Researcher

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    Julien Bastrup-Birk

    Associate Fellow - Expertise in transnational threats, organised crime, illicit finance, and hybrid warfare

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    Karen Baxter

    Senior Associate Fellow; Director, Financial Conduct Authority

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    David Carlisle

    Associate Fellow; Independent Consultant

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    Dr Alexander Chance

    Associate Fellow - specialising in transnational organised crime and corruption

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    Isabella Chase

    Associate Fellow; Former CFCS Senior Research Fellow, RUSI

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    Samuel Coates

    Senior Associate Fellow

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    Jessica Davis

    Associate Fellow; President and Principal Consultant with Insight Threat Intelligence

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    Catherine Dill

    Associate Fellow

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    Jan Dunin-Wasowicz

    Associate Fellow; Partner, Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP

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    Ian Dyson QPM

    Distinguished Fellow; Former Commissioner, City of London Police

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    Michael Fuller QPM BA MBA LLM Hon LLD

    Distinguished Fellow

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    James Gillespie

    Associate Fellow; Former Policy Advisor, HM Treasury

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    Sir David Green CB KC

    Distinguished Fellow; Partner, Cohen & Gresser; Former Director, UK Serious Fraud Office

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    Jalel Harchaoui

    Associate Fellow

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    Dr Andi Hoxhaj OBE

    Associate Fellow | SHOC Network Member - Researcher

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    Kayla Izenman

    Associate Fellow; Former CFCS Research Fellow, RUSI

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    Dr Sasha Jesperson

    Associate Fellow

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    Xolisile Khanyile

    Senior Associate Fellow

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    Genevieve Kotarska

    Associate Fellow | SHOC Network Member - Researcher

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    Aidan Larkin

    Associate Fellow; Founder & CEO, Asset Reality

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    Professor Michael Levi

    Senior Associate Fellow | SHOC Network Member - Researcher

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    David Lewis

    Senior Associate Fellow; Managing Director and Global Head of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Advisory Practice, Kroll

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    Erin Lubowicz

    Associate Fellow

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    Anton Moiseienko

    Associate Fellow; Lecturer in Law, Australian National University

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    Robert Norfolk-Whittaker

    Associate Fellow; UN Consultant

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    Dr Alexandra Phelan

    Associate Fellow

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    Matthew Redhead

    Senior Associate Fellow; Financial crime consultant and researcher

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    Alexandria Reid

    Associate Fellow | SHOC Network Member - Researcher

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    Sir Mark Rowley

    Distinguished Fellow

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    Denisse Rudich

    Associate Fellow; Founder and Executive Director, Rudich Advisory

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    Sergii Rybchenko

    Associate Fellow

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    Josie Stewart

    Associate Fellow; researcher and writer, independent consultant and advisor.

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    Dr Alex Sutherland

    Associate Fellow

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    Martin Verrier

    Associate Fellow | SHOC Network Member - Practitioner / Researcher

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    Dr Jodi Vittori

    Associate Fellow; Research and Policy Manager, Defence and Security Programme, Transparency International

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    Sir Rob Wainwright KCMG

    Distinguished Fellow

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    Dr Timothy Wittig

    Associate Fellow - Expert on wildlife trafficking, illicit economies, and terrorist/threat finance

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    Simon York CBE

    Senior Associate Fellow; Former Chief Investigation Officer and Director, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC

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