Narcoterrorism is shorthand for the close ties that exist between illegal narcotics and terrorists. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) uses the term to refer to situations in which terrorist groups or their members have some part in growing, producing, transporting, or selling illegal drugs. However, the specific role that different terrorist groups play can take many forms.

Traffickers in Terror

The relationship between drug traffickers and terrorists is reciprocal, meaning that they influence each other. The traffickers can benefit from the military skills, weapons, and underground networks of the terrorists. Where the terrorists control large chunks of territory, the traffickers gain by being able to move around freely as well. In return, the terrorists get a steady stream of income from drug money. They also may learn useful tricks of the criminal trade, such as smuggling and money laundering.

The two groups...