Drug trafficking, terrorism, and other organized criminal activity are generally clandestine activities that share operational similarities. Terrorists, like drug traffickers and other criminal groups, need weapons and engage in violence to achieve goals. Terrorists, like other criminal groups, are often involved in hiding and laundering sources of funds. Terrorists, drug traffickers, and other criminal groups operate transnationally and often seek logistical and operational support from local communities. As a practical matter, this means that drug traffickers and terrorists can become increasingly vulnerable to effective law enforcement activity.
Differences exist, however, between drugs and terrorism.
The drug trade has a strong demand component. In contrast, there is no addiction-based international demand for terrorism. Profit drives the drug trade. Terrorists do need money to operate, but for the terrorist, funding generally is a means to an end and not an end in itself. Political ideology, radical religious viewpoints, alienation, or revenge, and not a desire for financial profit, usually drive terrorist activity.