Opium trade routes

The opium trade routes historically connected regions involved in opium production, such as India and Afghanistan, to markets in China and Europe. In the 19th century, British merchants transported large quantities of opium from India to China, where it was traded for tea, silk, and porcelain. This lucrative trade had significant social and economic impacts, contributing to widespread addiction in China and leading to conflicts, including the Opium Wars. Today, illicit opium trade still exists, with routes often linked to larger drug trafficking networks, affecting global security and health.