Colombian cocaine traffickers target Ireland route

COLOMBIAN cocaine traffickers are targeting Ireland in an effort to open up new supply routes into Europe, the United Nations' leading drugs expert has said.

Dr Antonio Maria Costa said that while major inroads had been made in reducing the supply of cocaine, more needed to be done in Europe to reduce the demand for the drug.

Speaking in Dublin, the executive director of the UN Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said Colombian drug cartels were increasingly focusing supplies on Europe as a result of falling consumption in the US.

"Colombian traffickers are trying to penetrate the European market through Spain, to a large extent, through the Balkans and through the vulnerable point of entry, the islands - Great Britain, Ireland, but especially the Iberian peninsula," she said.

Last week, Spanish authorities reported that 2005 was a record year for cocaine seizure, with a total of 50 tonnes of the drug seized.

Seizures in Ireland have also jumped dramatically, from 6kg in 2001, to 117kg in 2003 to an estimated 300kg in 2005.

Dr Costa said the overall supply of cocaine had fallen by 30% in the last five years, with the total area of coca leaf under cultivation dropping from 230,000 hectares in 2000 to 130,000 hectares last year.

He said consumption in the US had fallen by 5% in the last three years, but had risen in Europe.

"Different countries in different ways are affected. The severity of the problem in Ireland, in England, in the UK and Spain remains quite serious."

Dr Costa said it was "especially dangerous" that well-established personalities from business, the media, the sports world and the arts had, with their behaviour, made cocaine use appear to be part of normal life.

The UNODC's World Drug Report 2005 put Ireland in joint third place for cocaine use out of 30 European states.

The report also noted a slight increase between 2003 and 2004 in cocaine production, the first rise since 1999.

Dr Costa said that three years ago cocaine seizures of 100 or 300 kilos were considered huge catches.

He said in the last eight months, catches of four tonnes, six tonnes and 12 tonnes had been made and that two weeks ago 22 tonnes of cocaine was found in a boat sunk off the coast of California.

"We are making major inroads. Traffickers are taking chances, they are trying to open new routes and exposing themselves."

Dr Costa spoke to the Irish Examiner after addressing the Institute of European Affairs in Dublin on crime and development in Africa and the role of the EU and the UN in the fight against corruption.

He earlier held talks with the Minister of State for Overseas Development, Conor Lenihan and Minister for Justice Michael McDowell.

He said Ireland was a major donor to the UNODC and last year doubled its funding to €1.6 million.

Cocaine facts:

Quantity seized jumped by 80% last year, from 165kg in 2004 to 300kg in 2005.

Number of seizures increased by 33%, from 566 in 2003 to 753 in 2004.

Number of people prosecuted for cocaine offences rose by 26%, from 607 in 2003 to 764 in 2004.

Nearly 5% of 15-34 year olds have tried cocaine and almost 1% have taken it within the last month.