AFRICA/TANZANIA - Interpol warns: Africa is being invaded by drugs

Arusha (Agenzia Fides)- “The global situation of drug trafficking in Africa has become worse in recent years especially with an explosion of cocaine trade between south America and Africa” Jean-Michel Louboutin, executive direct of Interpol said when he opened the 19th Interpol African Regional Conference being held in Arusha in Tanzania. About 150 representatives of African police services are gathered in Arusha in a bid to define strategies and foster increased co-operation to combat drug trafficking on the continent. “Long and porous borders of most African countries coupled with the problem of meagre resources make it almost impracticable to do effective law enforcement in all potential entry and exit points," Tanzania's inspector general of police, Saidi Ally Mwema, said. “ These challenges require an international approach. The war against the drug trade and abuse needs greater international cooperation through exchange of information, collaboration and coordination of our joint operations”. In a message to the meeting Tanzanian president Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, asked for international cooperation to fight crime in Africa. “No one however powerful can do it alone” he said and he asked for technology and skills to be transferred from advanced countries to developing countries via Interpol.
Louboutin was confident the meeting will find new ways to help African police fight drug trafficking and he said that during the past three months alone, cocaine seizures totaling nearly 7 000kg have been reported to Interpol by police forces across West Africa. In east Africa the most trafficked drug in heroine, in southern Africa there is more trade in synthetic drugs. Tanzania's inspector general of police reported on anti-drug trafficking activity in the past 12 months: arrested 7,194 people with regard to 5,532 cases of drugs; confiscated 91,5 kg of heroine, 4.13 kg of cocaine, 37 kg of morphine, 11 kg of khat and 225.229 kg of cannabis.
Most of the drugs which arrive in Africa are destined for the drug markets in Europe and North America but a growing quantity is remaining to feed the local market.
In August will issue a Dossier on Drugs in Africa. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 12/7/2007 righe 30 parole 364)