An Introduction to the Applications of Operations Research and Data Science in Disrupting Illicit Markets.

This article discusses the impact of illicit markets on global peace, development, the environment, health, and justice. It identifies various factors that have enabled the growth of illicit markets, including technology, globalization, demography, mobility, inequality, and conflict zones. The article emphasizes the need for a multilateral solution to combat organized crime and illicit activities. It also highlights the importance of research and analytics methodologies, such as behavior analysis, criminal profiling, and sentiment analysis, in disrupting illicit markets. The article concludes by presenting four primary domains of research in this field: digital drug markets, network interdiction models, human trafficking analytics, and maritime piracy analysis. [Extracted from the article]