Policy Report: Drug Trafficking in North Africa - Essay Example

Policy Report: Drug Trafficking in North Africa Although the North African nations are faced with a myriad of challenges and concerns, drug trafficking does not escape their long list of concerns (The Economist). Indeed, drug trafficking plays a significant economic and political role in the North African governments particularly considering the allegations that have been leveled against the same governments (INTERPOL). Due to the high level of public and international concern about the state of the North African governments in terms of drug trafficking, a policy report that would go a long way in tacking the situations by providing possible recommendations and solutions is essential. In this regard, it is worthy to mention that credible reports have linked drug trafficking in North African to terrorism that is so rife in the North African nations (Hindustan times). Goals and benefits of the Report Undoubtedly, drug trafficking has developed into a global problem with many spiraling impacts and far-reaching implication (Hindustan times). For this reason, it is important to dress the problem right from the routs so that the outcome will be of benefit to nations and the public. In this respect, it is worthy to mention that drug trafficking has been especially conspicuous in North Africa and the Middle East due to the other illegal activities linked with the trade (The Economist). Due to the soaring trends in drug trafficking in the North African nations, it is important to address this topic in order to prevent it from going out of control. Currently, volumes of narcotics find their way into and out of North Africa and this is a discouraging statistic (INTERPOL). More importantly, drug trafficking in North Africa has been discovered to be connected with a myriad of other illegal and sometimes criminal activities. For example, terrorist organizations such as Al Qaeda directly receive part of their funding from the proceeds of drug trafficking in North Africa (Hindustan times). Additionally, drug trafficking also goes hand in hand with money laundering and sex trafficking and these include some of the crimes that the international community and various human rights agencies are strongly fighting (The Economist). Therefore, the goal of this report is to unearth the extent of drug trafficking in North Africa and thereby give the best recommendations to curb the crime not only in North Africa but also across the globe. The report aims to achieve this by examining the current trends of drug trafficking in North Africa and other factors connected with the trade in the region. From an economic point of view, drug trafficking is certainly one of the most lucrative businesses in North Africa, at least going by the huge returns that the trade brings in (Hindustan times). According to The Economist, the Arab Springs that commenced in the year 2011 opened the gateways for the proliferation of arms and drugs in the North African states particularly, Morocco and Libya were the biggest casualties considering the political environment at the time. Algeria and Egypt are also facing various allegations of allowing drug trade to flourish especially amid several warnings by human rights organizations such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (The Economist). In essence, Algeria, Egypt, and Libya have been on the limelight for the wrong reasons especially after the secession of the Arab Awakening. This is especially so considering the fact that Algeria lone seized 50 tons and 73 tons of cannabis in 2012 and 2013 respectively (INTERPOL). On the other hand, Egypt has seized several dozes of Viagra pills over the last two years and this only indicates the level of proliferation of drugs in to the North African states. Since this amount only indicates the amount of illegal drugs that the North African authorities have been Able to seize from smugglers, the statistic could actually be high (Hindustan times). Interpol on Drug Trafficking in North Africa According to Interpol, drug trafficking has reached unprecedented levels in the North of Africa and proper measured need to be installed to curtail the menace, which is a threat to global security. In a meeting, Interpol focuses on the rampant drug trafficking cases in North Africa that was largely influenced by presence of the same in the Middle East. Definitely, the Middle East has strong ties with North Africa because they all belong to the Arab nation and it is easy to sneak in drugs and other illegal material across such borders (Hindustan times). Politically, drug trafficking robs a nation of its moral standing in the sense that it is grouped together with criminal gangs that terrorize the world. The Head of Drugs Units of Interpol in North Africa and the Middle East established that there existed notorious cartels that ran the drug trade across the Middle East and North Africa (INTERPOL). Economic and Political Impact of North African Drug Trafficking on Europe Undoubtedly, the drug trade in North Africa has adverse effects that spiral into Europe, as the cartels running the drug trade have a wide network and market over which they operate (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime [UNODC]). For instance, the drug traffickers that occupy morocco extend their illegal business to some parts of Spain due to the proximity between the two nations (INTERPOL). This, coupled with money laundering, has had an adverse effect on the Spanish economy for at least five years now. This has been especially critical when discussing matters economic in the European forum where drug trafficking is treated as a capital offence and the perpetrators normally face the music (Hindustan times). Connection between Drug Trafficking in North Africa and Global Terrorism There has been widespread belief that the money earned from drug trade is used for the funding of terrorism, both regional and global terrorism (UNODC). Indeed, terrorism and drug trafficking have a strong link in the sense that the proceeds accumulated from the drug trade are channeled into terrorist activities. This has been the greatest concern by the international community about the drug trafficking in North America (Hindustan times). More specifically, the funding of terrorist organizations by the North African countries has drawn sharp criticisms particularly by the western countries. For instance, credible reports point out to the fact that Al Qaeda, which is a global terrorist organization with its headquarters in the Middle East, is being funded partly by proceeds from the drug trade in North Africa. In addition, the drug trafficking menace in North Africa has also been linked to other criminal activities around the world such as money laundering and sex trafficking (INTERPOL). Possible Recommendations Since drug trafficking is closely connected with other crimes such as sex trafficking and human trafficking, it is instructive that the public be made aware of such engagements and appropriate policies put in place in order to curb the menace (INTERPOL). According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and crime, several programs are already underway in securing North Africa from continued proliferation of drug trafficking (The Economist). One of the policies that ought to be enacted in order to curb drug trafficking in North Africa include providing maximum support to the existing drug control agencies that are situated in or operate in North Africa. This will probable ensure that any suspicious activity is noted and suspected drug barons netted by appropriate authorities before they are charged in a court of law (Hindustan times). Another important recommendation is the strengthening of both regional and international drug law enforcement so that various countries including North African countries are able to work together in eradicating drug trafficking in their regions (Hindustan times). This joint force, if adopted, will greatly negate the proliferation of other crimes related to drug trafficking such as terrorism, money laundering, and human trafficking. This would perhaps go a long way in establishing the cartels that are notorious for running the trade in narcotics in North Africa and adjacent regions (INTERPOL). In order to curtail other crimes such as terrorism and human trafficking, it would be vital to address the issue both at national and international levels (INTERPOL). This would lead to the formulation of more stringent anti-narcotics policy that would sanction countries in North Africa that are not willing to cooperate. This is particularly so because certain North African nations such as Egypt, Morocco, and Libya have been non-cooperative in the past (Hindustan times). Conclusion Given that the trafficking of drugs is not only a North African problem but also a global challenge, it is important to pile enough pressure especially on uncooperative North African countries in order to manage the situation. This is rightly so in the sense that drug trafficking in north Africa fuels global terrorism, which affects virtually everyone irrespective of their geographical location. Therefore, appropriate policies ought to be in place so that the authorities are able to apprehend and deal with the drug barons in any country and according to criminal justice. Works Cited Hindustan times. Al Qaeda in North Africa Helps Drug Traffickers. 15 June 2010. Web. 14 March 2014. INTERPOL. Tackling Drug Trafficking Across Middle East and North Africa Focus of INTERPOL Meeting. 28 February 2014. Web. 14 March 2014. The Economist. North African Governments Struggle to Stem the Illegal Flow of Arms and Drugs. 17 August 2013. Web. 14 March 2014. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Middle East and North Africa: The situation. 2014. Web. 14 March 2014. Read More