Pubdate: Wed, 05 Mar 2008
Source: Guardian, The (UK)
Copyright: 2008 Guardian Newspapers Limited
Contact:  http://www.guardian.co.uk/guardian/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/175
Authors: Duncan Campbell, and Owen Bowcott

DRUG CARTELS RUNNING RAMPANT, SAYS UN

Governments Urged To Target Traffickers, Not Users

West Africa Is New Gateway To European Cocaine Trade

The UN will warn today that major drug traffickers are operating with 
virtual impunity because governments across the world are failing to 
target cartels.

Instead, they are concentrating on small-time users, a strategy the 
UN says has led to the "rampant flow" of drugs into fresh markets 
through new international trade routes .

According to the 127-page annual report from the UN's International 
Narcotics Control Board (INCB), governments need to make greater 
efforts to freeze traffickers' assets, improve access to drug 
treatment programmes and expand the range of non-custodial sentences 
available for convicted users.

The main findings were:

The emergence of new smuggling routes, in particular cocaine from 
South America being stockpiled and repackaged in west Africa before 
entering Europe.

Increased cultivation of coca bushes - from which cocaine is derived 
- - in Peru and Bolivia as crop eradication programmes reduce 
production in Colombia.

A 17% increase in illicit opium poppy cultivation during 2007 in 
Afghanistan. The country now accounts for 93% of the global market in opiates.

Britain appears to have the worst crack cocaine problem in Europe.

The INCB report also highlighted the role of people in the public eye 
who used drugs. "Celebrity 'endorsement' of drug-related lifestyles 
is particularly relevant when it comes to the issue of deterring drug 
use among youth, who are often most vulnerable to the cult of 
celebrity," said the report. "Young people are quick to pick up on 
and react to perceived leniency in dealing with such offenders."

It added: "Some countries still spend disproportionate effort in 
targeting low-level offenders and drug users, as compared to the more 
pressing issues of identifying, dismantling and punishing those who 
control or organise major drug trafficking activities.

"Many states impose unconditional imprisonment of drug abusers for 
lesser offences, such as possession or purchase of drugs for personal 
use and these typically make up a significant proportion of growing 
prison populations in some countries. There is no universal 'moral 
instinct' when it comes to punishment for less serious cases."

Launching the report in London, Professor Hamid Ghodse of the INCB 
said it was a major concern that the main traffickers were escaping 
capture. "Organised traffickers have lots of power and do not get 
their hands dirty, so they get away with impunity," he said.

The rapid development of smuggling routes through west Africa is 
worrying law enforcement agencies. Interpol estimates that 200-300 
tonnes of cocaine from Latin America pass through countries such as 
Benin, Cape Verde, Mauritania and Senegal every year, from where it 
is smuggled into Spain, Portugal and the UK. Cocaine seizures in 
Portugal, already at a high level, have almost doubled.

Ships, yachts and private planes are used to evade detection. 
"Cocaine traffickers frequently change the airports from which they 
depart and their routes," the report observes.

Around 40% of cocaine reaching Europe is shipped through 
longer-established routes via the Caribbean. In 2006, Colombia 
accounted for 50% of the world's coca cultivation, Peru 33% and Bolivia 17%.

The illicit cultivation of opium poppies in Afghanistan has continued 
to increase "at an alarming level," says the report. The total area 
used for illicit opium cultivation increased by 59% in 2006 and by a 
further 17% last year.

Afghan opiates are smuggled to Iran, Pakistan and countries in 
central Asia en route to Europe. Iran now has the world's highest 
abuse of opiates, according to the report. Under article 14 of the 
convention, the INCB can recommend an embargo against a country if 
its government fails to take remedial action or cooperate. Such 
action was taken against Afghanistan in 2000 when the Taliban were 
still in power and on "half a dozen" unpublicised occasions, and the 
countries concerned have responded positively, said Ghodse.

"We learn a lesson from Afghanistan," he said. "Where there is 
political upheaval, drug issues should be on the agenda from day 
one." An estimated 3.3 million people now use heroin in Europe, 
according to the report. Almost all the heroin in Europe comes from 
Afghanistan.

Cannabis remains the main drug of choice in Europe, according to the 
report, with western Europe the main market for cannabis resin. The 
UK reported a decrease in cannabis use.

Of crack, the report says: "The abuse of 'crack' cocaine continues to 
be marginal in all countries in western Europe, with the possible 
exception of the UK."

The INCB remains critical of projects that appear to condone drug use 
of any kind, including medical marijuana. It called on Canada to end 
the supply of "safer crack kits", claiming such provision for addicts 
is in contravention of article 13 of the UN convention against 
illicit drug traffic. In the report's foreword, Dr Philip Emafo, 
president of the INCB, said suggestions that legalising drugs might 
be a solution were "simplistic and misplaced".

The drugs reform organisation Transform disputed the main findings. 
Its director, Danny Kushlick, said that with drugs now a UKP320bn 
business, arresting any drug lords would create a vacuum that would 
be immediately filled by others.

"People don't take drugs because Amy Winehouse takes drugs," added 
Kushlick. "It entirely misses the point. They take drugs because they 
make them feel better or they stop them feeling bad." He said the 
only solution was a regulated market.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom