Pubdate: Wed, 14 Dec 2005
Source: People's Journal (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 People's Journal
Contact: http://www.journal.com.ph/contactus.asp
Website: http://www.journal.com.ph/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3381
Author: Alfred Dalizon
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

DRUG LORDS EXPANDING OPERATIONS

ASIAN anti-narcotics officials have discussed new programs to stop
drug traffickers from taking advantage of globalization to ply their
illegal trade across Asia, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency chair
Anselmo S. Avenido, Jr. said yesterday.

According to Avenido, the effect of globalization in East and
Southeast Asia as far as the drug problem is concerned was among the
major issues discussed during the two-day International Drug
Enforcement Conference-Far East Working Group (IDEC-FEWG) meeting in
Manila last December 7-8.

"On the one hand, the lowering of political and economic barriers has
encouraged the free flow of people and products across international
borders and has provided more opportunities for communications and
travel as well as trade of capital, goods and services," he said.

"On the other hand, what has created new opportunities to legitimate
businesses has also opened new doors to criminal organizations to
diversify their operations, enlarge their market and expand their
criminal network. Production and distribution of plant-based and
synthetic drugs are increasingly highly structured and integrated into
international organized criinal activities," the PDEA chief added.

The IDEC-FEWG meeting in Manila was aimed at reviewing the individual
and group projects and programs of member-countries on how to further
improve their efforts to halt the flow of illegal drugs particularly
cocaine, heroin, marijuana and synthetic drugs particularly shabu and
the designer drug called 'Ecstasy' in the region.

Considering these developments, Avenido said there is an urgent need
for law enforcement agencies in the region to work together and ensure
that there are sufficient mechanisms and procedures to encourage and
permit the exchange of information and evidence related to dangerous
drugs. 
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