narcokleptocracy

Definitions

1. Drug lords and others involved in organized crime as a dominant group in society; the influence or rule exerted by this group.
   rare
2. A government influenced by such persons; a narcocracy.
   rare

Examples

“As head of the PDF [Panamanian Defense Forces], [Manuel] Noriega now controlled all elements of the Panamanian government essential to the protection of drug trafficking and money laundering, thus accomplishing two goals simultaneously—increasing his control⟳ over Panama and enriching himself. Noriega had turned Panama's political system into what one witness termed a "narcokleptocracy," a political system in which Panamanian government became controlled by personal loyalties to Noriega, cemented by graft and corruption, and substantially funded with narcotics money.”

“I knew how eager they [new recruits to the All Burma Students' Democratic Front] were to fight⟳ the Burma Army, which they perceived as no better than a private army protecting Ne Win's narcokleptocracy.”

CEFR level