Pubdate: Mon, 15 Jul 2002
Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB)
Copyright: 2002, Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  http://www.fyiedmonton.com/htdocs/edmsun.shtml
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/135
Author: Dene Moore, Canadian Press

HASH IMPORTS PUMP UP TERRORISTS

VANCOUVER -- A portion of the $20 million US worth of hashish imported into 
Canada annually financed terrorist groups in Afghanistan and Pakistan, 
according to RCMP.

More than 100 tonnes of hashish is brought into Canada every year, 
according to a confidential RCMP report obtained under access to 
information legislation.

Most of it comes from southwest Asia, particularly Afghanistan and Pakistan.

"This means that approximately $20 million US finds its way back to the 
producers in the source countries," says the November 2001 report entitled 
Narco-terrorism and Canada.

"It is likely that terrorist elements in Afghanistan tax producers, thereby 
receiving a portion of the potential proceeds," the report says.

U.S. intelligence officials say drug profits have been used to finance 
terrorist activities. Ships in the Arabian Sea have been under intense 
scrutiny since the war began in Afghanistan in the fall, curbing the flow 
of drugs from the Middle East.

There are now three Canadian ships on patrol in the area, according to the 
Department of National Defence.

The Canadian Armed Forces have apprehended vessels smuggling drugs, 
embargoed oil and other illicit materials.

In February, the HMCS Toronto, one of five Canadian warships patrolling the 
Arabian Sea at the time, found 90 wrapped packages of drugs. Each was 
stamped with the words "Freedom for Afghanistan," according to newspaper 
reports.

One to two tonnes of heroin is brought into Canada annually, an amount 
worth $10 million to $20 million US, says the RCMP criminal intelligence brief.

Most comes from southeast Asia, particularly Burma.

"No large-scale importation of southwest Asian heroin originating in 
Afghanistan has been documented recently in Canada," says the report.

According to the United Nations Drug Control Program, Afghanistan produced 
4,600 tonnes of opium in 1999 - 80% of the world supply. Opium is used to 
make heroin.

Despite a poppy ban by the former Taliban government, the country produced 
3,300 tonnes in 2000 - 70% of world production.

Production fell to an estimated 185 tonnes in 2001 but the international 
body believes that as much as 60% of Afghan production has been stockpiled 
since And there are reports that since the fall of the hard-line Taliban 
government, Afghan farmers have ripped up wheat crops to plant poppies - 
the precursor to heroin and opium.

In 2000, Canadian authorities seized approximately 23,000 kg of hashish and 
foreign authorities seized nearly 20,000 kg more en route to Canada.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart