Translation guide
The illegal trade, transport, or distribution of controlled substances. In Japanese, this is expressed through specific legal terms, common nouns, and verbs describing the act.
To refer to the illegal activity of trading or transporting drugs.
Standard term for illegal drug trade/selling. '麻薬' (narcotics) + '密売' (illegal selling). Often used in news and legal contexts.
彼は麻薬密売の容疑で逮捕された。
He was arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking.
Literally 'narcotics transaction'. A broader term that can include both legal and illegal dealings, but in context usually implies illegal trade.
国際的な麻薬取引が問題になっている。
International drug trafficking has become a problem.
Similar to 麻薬密売 but uses '薬物' (drugs) which is a broader term, covering all illegal substances.
薬物密売組織が摘発された。
A drug trafficking ring was busted.
Specifically refers to smuggling narcotics across borders. '密輸' means smuggling.
税関で麻薬密輸が発覚した。
Drug smuggling was uncovered at customs.
To describe the action of engaging in drug trafficking.
To illegally sell narcotics. The most direct verb phrase.
彼らは海外で麻薬を密売していた。
They were trafficking drugs overseas.
To deal/trade narcotics. Can be used for both legal and illegal contexts, but context usually clarifies.
彼は麻薬を取引して大金を稼いだ。
He made a fortune trafficking drugs.
To smuggle drugs. Focuses on the transportation aspect.
彼女は薬物を密輸しようとして捕まった。
She was caught trying to traffic drugs.
To refer to a person who engages in drug trafficking.
Drug dealer/trafficker. Standard term.
警察は麻薬密売人を追跡している。
The police are tracking the drug trafficker.
Drug seller. Slightly more colloquial.
街角で麻薬の売人が捕まった。
A drug trafficker was caught on the street corner.
Avoid directly translating 'drug trafficking' as 麻薬交通 (narcotics traffic) – this is not used and sounds unnatural. Use the compounds with 密売 or 取引.
密売 (mitsubai) explicitly means illegal selling, while 取引 (torihiki) is a neutral term for transaction. In news, 密売 is preferred for criminal acts, but 取引 is common in broader discussions.