Pubdate: Wed, 15 Mar 2006
Source: Edmonton Journal (CN AB)
Copyright: 2006 The Edmonton Journal
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/edmonton/edmontonjournal/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/134
Author: James Gordon, Ottawa Citizen, CanWest News Service
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?199 (Mandatory Minimum Sentencing)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada)

WASHINGTON WANTS CRACKDOWN ON DRUGS

New Report By U.S. Urges Canada To Take Action On Narco-Trafficking

OTTAWA - Methamphetamine, ecstasy and marijuana production is on the 
rise in Canada, a new report by the U.S. State Department says, and 
transnational crime groups are steadily importing more cocaine and heroin.

While the American government's annual international narcotics review 
pegs the country as "primarily a drug consuming" one, Canada remains 
a significant producer of high quality marijuana and a transit point 
for over-the-counter pharmaceuticals used in synthetic drugs.

"Methamphetamine trafficking and availability rose during 2005," the 
document says, noting 95 per cent of the domestic supply comes from 
large, multi-kilogram operations. "Significant seizures of MDMA 
(ecstasy) from clandestine laboratories indicate they are larger and 
more sophisticated organized crime operations."

Marijuana, smuggled into the U.S. primarily via British Columbia, 
Ontario and Quebec, remains a serious concern for law enforcement as well.

"Though outdoor cultivation continues, the use of large and more 
sophisticated indoor grow operations is increasing because it allows 
year-round production," the document says.

"The RCMP reports the involvement of ethnic Chinese and Vietnamese 
organized crime organizations in technologically advanced organic 
grow methods that produce marijuana with elevated THC levels."

The Mounties conducted 430 marijuana investigations and 570 raids 
while seizing nearly 250,000 plants and arresting 283 people in 2005.

The national police force also conducted 87 clandestine drug lab 
investigations leading to 36 raids, one-third of which involved 
ecstasy production. Approximately 64,000 doses of the drug were seized.

RCMP officials were not available for comment Tuesday.

International crime groups lead many cocaine smuggling operations in 
Canada. According to the State Department, Colombian brokers are 
connecting producers with outlaw biker gangs and Italian and 
Caribbean organized crime.

Shipments are usually routed through countries such as Haiti, 
Trinidad and Jamaica before coming here. Between January and 
September of 2005, the Canada Border Services Agency seized 1.66 
metric tons of cocaine.

While the report paints a positive picture of law enforcement 
efforts, it's clear the U.S. government wants legal changes to crack 
down on drug producers in Canada. It notes marijuana cultivation is a 
thriving, low-risk pursuit, due in part to "low sentences meted out 
by Canadian courts."

The U.S. may get its wish soon, as Justice Minister Vic Toews has 
suggested mandatory minimum sentences for serious drug crimes are on the way.

The report also sums up various government-sponsored "harm-reduction" 
programs, such as providing safe-injection sites and crack pipes to 
chronic users.

It notes the U.S. supports "science-based treatment programs to 
reduce drug use, as opposed to measures which facilitate drug abuse 
in hopes of reducing some of its harmful consequences."

It makes a general request that Canada address the rise of ecstasy 
production and "improve its regulatory and enforcement capacity" 
regarding precursor chemicals as well.

The Canadian government has taken several steps in that direction. It 
boosted prison sentences for meth and ecstasy producers and tightened 
controls on six chemicals used as base ingredients. The regulations 
came into effect in January.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman