Organized Crime - Drug Trafficking

"The war against terrorism deserves the attention and care they currently receive, but the war against drugs, even though decades old, is far from over. Drug-related crime continues to undermine the rule of law and causing rage in many sectors of American society. Moreover, the billions of dollars drug trafficking generated enormous wealth and power of unions and organized crime operations funded guerrilla movements, paramilitary organizations, transnational terrorist networks, rogue states , States, and a host of other criminal elements. The U.S. military has supported the war on drugs for more than two decades. Military participation was made possible when the legal restrictions against the use of armed forces to law enforcement was provided by a series of acts of Congress during the Reagan administration. Since the early 1980, U.S. military units have supported federal, state, local agencies and law enforcement operations against drugs. Most of the missions of military support is limited to interception of suspicion over the air, sea, land and transit routes, training in military planning and tactics, joint exercises, intelligence support, support logistics, and construction projects.

In 1989, the role of the armed forces acting as law enforcement expanded. The Justice Department made a legal determination "that the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits the detention by U.S. military does not apply abroad."? "The invasion of Panama in 1989 occurred in part because the military dictator, General Manuel Noriega, was indicted by two federal grand juries in Florida for drug trafficking. Panama was an important transit point for drugs and one of the primary missions of army was in turn capture Noriega and handed it to police and judicial authorities for prosecution. "At that time, the invasion of Panama (Operation Just Cause) was the largest military intervention of its kind since the Vietnam War. Over 27, 000 U.S. troops participated in the conflict and the Panama Defense Forces succumbed to a rapid assault in less than ten days. "After serving the military, Noriega was arrested, prosecuted and subsequently imprisoned in Florida. The use of the military to stop a head of state to the drug trade is unprecedented, paving the way for greater military role in the enforcement functions abroad.

Although drug trafficking is not the only reason for the invasion of Panama, stop the flow of illegal drugs in the U.S. was a desired outcome of the Bush administration [top] administration. In other countries, the links between drugs and conflict are created for very different reasons. The illicit drug profits have financed armed conflict and terrorism around the world. In addition, the drug trade has brought misery to the lives of millions. The rule of law in the developed and developing countries, and subverted peace operations and agreements in several regions. During the Cold War, the insurgent groups dependent on state sponsors to fund their operations. With the fall of communism, more and more insurgents are financing their operations with drug profits. Transnational trade has even religious extremists who have overcome their historical aversion to drug trafficking. Terrorist groups, in particular, see the drug as a way to overcome the decline in revenue from customers, state sponsors, charities, front companies and banks have had their assets frozen or seized under national and international conventions.

Some Islamic leaders have gone so far as issuing fatwas, or decrees of cancellation for non-drug distribution Musums. "These religious leaders view of illegal drugs as a weapon that can be used against Western society." Organized crime, terrorism and conflict have a tendency to the intersection on the main drug-producing regions of the world: the Andean region of South America (Colombia, Peru and Bolivia), the Golden Crescent (Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran), and the Golden Triangle (Burma, Laos and Thailand). Organized crime, corruption and violence are deeply rooted in these areas and medicines exported from these states and threaten national security. Colombia, Afghanistan, Burma, and there are three countries that graphically illustrate how the illegal drug production and trafficking can contribute to conflict and regional instability. Colombia, the world's largest producer of cocaine, is still trapped in the conflict and violence generated by drug trafficking. After decades of fighting drugs and counterinsurgency programs, the Pastrana administration is struggling for survival against the "narco-guerrilla" terrorist groups and organized criminal elements.

These groups are terrorizing the civilian population and commit serious violent crimes with impunity. At least 50 percent of Colombia's territory is under the control of the insurgents or paramilitary organizations. "About 40,000 Colombians were murdered in the last decade of the internal conflicts" and 1.7 million have been internally displaced. "Shelley notes that Colombia is a stable democracy before organized crime became a dominant feature of the country's economy?. The insidious impact of drug trafficking and internal strife has led to a breakdown in the rule of law and seriously question the sovereignty of the state. The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the National Liberation Army (ELN) and United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia [better known by his initials (AUC) ], are the armed factions are responsible for much violence in the country. All three are located in the State Department list of terrorists and foreign organizations. "They get most of their income from drug trafficking production tax of coca, cocaine processing or substantial burden rates for the protection of coca plants, production facilities, and transshipment routes. "

Some armed groups can get up to 70% of its operating funds from drug trafficking. "

The benefits of the drug is used to buy weapons, recruit new members, fund military operations and terrorist. In an effort to bring stability to the country, President Pastrana initiated peace talks with the FARC in 1998. The FARC, the largest guerrilla group with more than 17,000 fighters, was allowed to operate freely in a "safe" area the size of Switzerland, while they were conducting peace talks. "Over the three years of the peace process, then the leftist rebels to generate income through extortion, drug trafficking and kidnapping. In February 2002, the peace process collapsed when the rebels hijacked a plane civil and kidnapped a Colombian senator. "President Pastrana responded by announcing an end to peace talks and sending army units to establish control of the demilitarized zone. The FARC went underground to renew its 38-year struggle with the Colombian military. Many suspect that FARC has never committed to Pastrana's peace process. The original group of ideology as a peasant movement was replaced long ago by the immediate desire to preserve wealth and power through illegal drug trafficking.

In addition to clashes with the Colombian military, FARC also deal with the Self Defense Forces (AUC) of Colombia - a coalition of right-wing paramilitary units and "death squad" that started in 1960 by wealthy drug traffickers they were tired of being exploited by the left guerillas.92 like the FARC, these groups have enriched in the drug trade tax the drug dealers, coca growers, and businesses. "As the paramilitaries increased their involvement in drug trafficking is increasing its influence and its ability to attract young people unemployed." Paramilitary groups are now twice as big as they were in 1998 and assume the responsibility of the vast majority of human rights atrocities, including mass killings, torture, and murder?. The main armed factions keep Colombia in a continual state of war with few interruptions. "The internal conflicts and organized crime are undermining the nation's strength and economic development. The U.S. is providing $ 1.3 billion in aid to the Colombian government to make drastic reductions in illicit drug trafficking and production.

Because the drug trade and insurgency movements are so closely intertwined, any success in operations against drugs reduce the ability of the guerrillas and paramilitary forces to support military operations. The dual strategy of counter-narcotics and counterinsurgency operations have been integrated seamlessly into a campaign that gives the best chance Pastrana administration to reduce the level of drugs and violence in Colombian society. In the long term, the economic component of "Plan Colombia" has a greater importance. No viable social and economic reforms options, the illicit drug trade will continue to attract corrupt and violent offenders. The crop substitution and eradication programs in Bolivia and Peru the opportunity to state what can happen in Colombia. Over the past six years, coca cultivation decreased by over 70 percent in Bolivia and Peru. "Drug trafficking and conflict in Afghanistan: Years before the coalition ousted the Taliban from power, the armed factions fighting for control of the country was based on taxes and profits from drug trafficking to finance their military operations and the purchase of hardware.

"After the withdrawal of Soviet forces at the end of 1989, Afghanistan was plunged into civil war. The country's economy was destroyed by years of conflict, and as a result, opium and heroin production became the main sources of income for most of the warring groups, including the Northern Alliance. "The Taliban captured Kabul in 1996 and emerged from the riots and violence as the dominant faction in the country. Finally, the group was able to take control of approximately 90% of the country with the assistance of al-Qaeda, and thousands of foreigners recrults. "Although the new regime had a reputation for strict application of Islamic law, the government drug control policies and actions are superficial and contradictory. Although publicly renounce the production of opium, the Taliban taxed smugglers. Poppy farmers and the heroin laboratories. "?" Despite the ban on Islamic law and the ban by the Taliban in the poppy cultivation, Afghanistan produced more than 70 percent of illegal opium to world markets came in 2000. The country was a major source of heroin from Central Asia and Europe.

Opium production declined significantly in 2001, but these positive developments are overshadowed by the fact that the country had enough stocks of opium to meet the demands of international markets. "Some U.S. officials speculate that the Taliban may have cut poppy production in the summer of 2000 to increase the wholesale price of opium, which increased tenfold in the first months of 2001. Conservative estimates indicate that the Taliban took in $ 20 million a year in taxes on opium and only an estimated $ 3 billion a year in transit fees on all contraband, including drugs, weapons and consumer goods Bodansky 105 goes further and says that the Taliban raised an estimated $ 8 billion of all drug-related. The millions from drug trafficking financed by the Taliban government and limited campaign against the Northern Alliance. The combination of illicit drugs, weapons, and radical Islamic fundamentalism Afghanistan did more than a failed state, the country became a state outside the law.

Terrorist training camps were established militant groups like al Qaeda were given refuge. The Taliban refused to extradite Osama bin Laden and his followers to the U.S. set the stage for a violent military confrontation led to the downfall of the regime as a radical political and military force in the country. Recognizing the importance of the drug trade in Afghanistan, the U.S. Coordinator for the future of Afghanistan said: "After the elimination of terrorism ... the elimination of drug trafficking in Afghanistan was the second highest priority."? "Compliance with the second priority - eliminate drug trafficking, can be very difficult, given the widespread poverty and the rebellious nature of Afghan society. The country's roads are covered with mines, the infrastructure is in ruins, and development real business is many years away. Efforts to eradicate any spark civil unrest among the farmers dependent on poppy cultivation for their livelihood. Similarly, competition for control of warlords in rural areas, where opium and heroin are produced. Like the Taliban, these warlords have been based on the drug trade for many years for the purchase of weapons and military supplies.

Attempts by the weakness of the Government to implement measures to control drugs can provoke hostilities. Farmers and powerful tribal leaders are not inclined to abandon the lucrative drug trade to the maintenance of peace and the international community to establish a secure environment, rule of law and economic alternatives in the country. Due to the Taliban ban on poppy cultivation in 2000, Burma (Myanmar) became the world's largest source of illicit opium in 2001 and remains one of the largest producers of heroin and amphetamines. '? "Most of the drugs in the country are from a region in the control of ethnic groups that have limited autonomy as a concession to end its armed struggle against the government. The Army's United Wa State (UWSA ) is the strongest of ethnic minorities and the largest producer and trafficker of illicit drugs in Myanmar. The UWSA - drug operations - are known throughout the region, but the Myanmar government is reluctant to challenge the group for three reasons : (1) the current ceasefire agreement prevents Myanmar troops entering the territory of the group without the permission of UWSA leaders, (2) the government agreed to give the UWSA until 2005 to eliminate its opium territory "?

And (3) the UWSA is still a powerful armed force with more than 20,000 soldiers under arms. '"Any drug or immune from military operations against the Wa army could result in a bloody and protracted civil war. While the UWSA is free of drug production and smuggling, Southeast Asia will continue to be flooded with opium, heroin and amphetamines. The explosion of amphetamines, in particular, threatens to destabilize the region militarily and economically. Myanmar produces about 800 million amphetamine tablets a year and the vast majority occur in UWSA territory and smuggling in Thalland.T "About 21 million amphetamine tablets seized in Thailand in 1997, more than 60 million tablets were seized in the first six months of 2001. Thailand considers that the flood of amphetamines in the 1800-mile border as a serious threat to national security. The market for amphetamine country about three million consumers 114 and more than one million addicts in this group.115 between crime and drug-related violence have skyrocketed and threaten internal security. The current crisis has increased tensions between Thailand and Myanmar.

Thailand calls to Myanmar to halt illicit drug production in the territory of Wa-have not been heard. The Thai military has intensified interdiction operations and carried out raids on premises suspected drug production along the border between Thailand and Myanmar.! "Brief but violent border clashes are not uncommon. Moreover, Thailand has periodically closed border crossing points adjacent to UWSA territory. A war in the power of ethnic territories of Myanmar may be in progress. The UWSA has moved thousands of civilians and military personnel in territory controlled by the Shan State Army (SSA), a rebel movement that has a history of being heavily involved in drug trafficking. "? The UWSA is working with the Myanmar military to suppress the rebellion and expand its market monitoring of drugs. "Myanmar has accused Thailand of covertly backing rebel Shan State as a way of undermining the UWSA and disrupt the flow of amphetamines in Thailand." Although the war has not resulted in a major conflict in the region.

Illicit drug production and trafficking continue to strain relations between Myanmar and Thailand and threaten stability in neighboring states.