Word
trafficker
Phoneticstraf·fick·er, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈtɹæfɪkɝ/
UK/tɹˈæfɪkɐ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a person who buys and sells illegal goods or people, such as drugs, weapons, or workers forced into bad jobs.
n. a person engaged in illegal trade, especially in drugs, weapons, or people for forced labour or sexual exploitation. Typically appears in legal and news contexts concerning organized crime.
Examples
“The police arrest the trafficker at the border.”
“Customs officers arrested the trafficker after finding illegal pills hidden inside his luggage.”
“The convicted trafficker ran a network that moved drugs across three countries, using fake papers and bribed drivers to avoid checks.”
Examples
simple
“The police arrest the trafficker at the border.”
contextual
“Customs officers arrested the trafficker after finding illegal pills hidden inside his luggage.”
complex
“The convicted trafficker ran a network that moved drugs across three countries, using fake papers and bribed drivers to avoid checks.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “trafficker” in context.
Verb
01. arrest trafficker
“Border police arrested the trafficker during a routine vehicle check.”
verb + noun
02. convict trafficker
“The court convicted the trafficker on multiple smuggling charges.”
verb + noun
03. jail trafficker
“The judge decided to jail the trafficker for ten years.”
verb + noun
Adjective
04. arms trafficker
“Authorities extradited the arms trafficker to face trial abroad.”
adj + noun
05. convicted trafficker
“The convicted trafficker was sentenced to fifteen years in prison.”
adj + noun
06. drug trafficker
“Police arrested a notorious drug trafficker at the airport yesterday.”
adj + noun
07. human trafficker
“The charity helps victims rescued from human traffickers.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. crackdown on traffickers
“The government announced a major crackdown on traffickers.”
noun + prep + noun
09. arrest a suspected trafficker
“Officers arrested a suspected trafficker at the border crossing.”
10. bring traffickers to justice
“The new task force aims to bring traffickers to justice quickly.”
11. crack down on traffickers
“Governments must cooperate to crack down on traffickers effectively.”
12. dismantle a trafficker network
“Police managed to dismantle a trafficker network operating in Europe.”
Real-World Examples
“Brandt said traffickers are making over $280,000 per year off of each victim in Canada.” “When I ask him if the targeting of boats containing suspected traffickers by the Trump administration has made any difference, he replies that his product is still getting through from Mexico.” “But the smuggling wasn't detected within the Galapagos Marine Reserve, which means international traffickers are finding local ways around ecological inspection checkpoints, says Alava.” “They have argued that Joseph and Samaroo were fishermen and farm workers, not drug-traffickers.” Word family
NOUN
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/trafficker