Drug crimes are viewed as a criminal offense under the law in the United States. Any individual or group who uses, possesses, manufactures, distributes or transports the prohibited drug substances is guilty of a drug crime. The law does not specifically differentiate between the 3 major types of drug-related crimes. Drug crimes can be divided into user-related, economic-related and system-related actions. User-related drug crimes result from the effect of the drugs. Ingesting the drug produces the state of mind capable of committing the crime. Economic-related drug crimes arise from the need of the user of drugs to obtain the money to purchase more drugs. System-related drug crimes are specific to the larger goal-oriented approach of drug cartels or gangs. Drug crimes of this nature involve the mass production, manufacture, transportation and sale of drugs. Intrinsic to this is the violence involved in such things as gaining and maintaining control of areas.

Trafficking is the transportation, importation and/or sale, of drugs to individuals or organizations. Drug distribution may be the domain of an individual, an organization or a gang. The structure may be complex or simple. Drug distribution may be the selling of hemp seeds from a homegrown operation or the retailing of a major shipment of heroin from an offshore drug cartel. The monetary amount may be several hundred dollars to millions. Suppliers for drug distribution are located around the world. There are certain countries more notorious for drug production and distribution. Colombia is a major producer, manufacturer and trafficker in cocaine. There is a difference between federal and state laws. They also differ in terms of punishment. The 2 bodies vary according to drug type, amount trafficked, area of distribution and target recipient.