# trafficker

/ˈtɹæfɪkɝ/ (US) · /tɹˈæfɪkɐ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/trafficker
Updated: 2026-10-19

## Definition

a person who buys and sells illegal goods or people, such as drugs, weapons, or workers forced into bad jobs.

For teachers: 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.