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US Study Declares Canada Drug Haven
Pubdate: Wed, 15 Mar 2006
Source: Windsor Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2006 The Windsor Star
Contact: http://www.canada.com/windsor/windsorstar/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/501
Author: James Gordon, 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)
U.S. STUDY DECLARES CANADA DRUG HAVEN
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 B.C., 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 (MDMA) production. Approximately 64,000 doses of the drug were seized.
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.
Between January and September of 2005, the Canada Border Services
Agency seized 1.66 metric tons of cocaine at land and sea ports of entry.
While the report paints a positive picture of law enforcement
efforts, it notes marijuana cultivation is a low-risk pursuit, due in
part to "low sentences meted out by Canadian courts."
Meanwhile, Justice Minister Vic Toews has suggested mandatory minimum
sentences for serious drug crimes are on the way.
The report 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. As
of the end of January, it boosted prison sentences for meth and
ecstasy producers while proposing tighter controls on six chemicals
used as base ingredients.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman