The illegal excavation and smuggling of sand from unauthorized places is a significant criminal business that generates billions of dollars in revenue annually. While some experts believe this estimate to be slightly exaggerated, the general magnitude of the problem remains substantial.
According to Scientific American, only product counterfeiting and drug trafficking surpass the sand trade in terms of criminal revenue. Human trafficking and illegal logging also generate substantial profits, but the sand trade remains one of the largest shadow businesses in the world.
Organized criminal groups, often referred to as the “sand mafia,” are involved in the illegal digging and transportation of sand. These groups have been known to resort to violence, including murder, to protect their operations. Countries like India, Southeast Asia, China, North Korea, and Morocco are listed as hotspots for illegal sand mining and smuggling.
The industry involves billions of tons of sand dug out of sea, riverbanks, and shorelines annually. This sand is then sold at wholesale and retail prices, generating substantial profits for those involved. Retail sales of sand contribute significantly to its earnings even in small quantities. Despite ongoing efforts by governments around the world to combat illegal excavation and smuggling of sand; it remains a lucrative problem worldwide with estimated turnovers ranging from 50-350 billion dollars per year.
