UN Office on Drugs and Crime
Olamide (Lamydayy) Ogunlowo
Intermediate
Topic A: Drug trafficking in the Americas
Introduction
The UN office on drugs and crime (UNODC) is a world leader in the ongoing struggle against illegal drugs and international
crime.it is the body of the United Nations responsible for delivering legal and technical assistance to prevent terrorism.
Core duties of the UNODC
The UNODC mobilizes and promotes transnational cooperation to confront with the growing
security threat due to the increase organized crime, drug trafficking, terrorism and corruption.
The UNODC performed three main functions which are, to research, guide and support
governments in the implementation and adoption of various crime and corruption related
conventions. It also provides government’s technical and financial support to face their
respective challenges.
Background
Drug trafficking:
Drug trafficking is a global illicit trade involving the cultivation, manufacture, distribution and sale of substances which are
subject to drug prohibition laws. Most countries have laws that prohibit the sales of these drugs. A UN report said "the global drug
trade generated an estimated US $321.6 billion in 2003” and this has grown considerably since then. Since the introduction of
Free trade there has been integration of financial markets which has given drug traffickers more methods to launder their money
and invest in other activities. This makes it harder for law enforcement to monitor the flow of drug money into the economy. By
encouraging the expansion of trade and global transportation networks, free trade encourages cooperation and formation of
alliances among criminal organizations across different countries. Drug trade in Latin America started in the early 1930s, where it
grew significantly in countries like Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Colombia, and Argentina. The drug market in the early 20th
century was mainly connected to Europe, and after the end of WW II, the countries listed above experienced a growth in the trade
of cocaine.
Issues
1. Political Impacts
Illicit drug traffickers exploit the weaknesses in the political systems and they also bribe officials to look the other way. In
Colombia, drug-related criminal organizations have established alliances with armed groups. In Mexico, they have diversified into
extortion and the smuggling and trafficking of people. Throughout the region, they challenge law enforcement and subvert
financial systems by laundering their profits. In the thirties, marijuana production was already rampant in Mexican states like
Puebla, Guerrero and Tlaxcala, and some of the alleged owners of the crops living in Mexico City, were suspected of being
protected by high ranking members of the anti-narcotics police. ” In Coahuila, according to the investigation report sent by special
agent Juan Requena to the Mexican Department of Public Health, the most important opium trafficker, the Chinese Antonio Wong
Yin, was a compadre of governor Nazario Ortiz Garza. Others were in close touch with General Jesús García Gutiérrez, who was
in charge of military operations in the state “..
2.
Social impacts
The illegal drug trade has led to increased violence, especially in areas where there is more than one cartel to supply drugs
especially when the drug trade Is not doing well financially. In the 90s the U.S. demand for cocaine dropped while Colombian
production rose, pressuring traffickers to find new drugs and markets. During this time, there was an increase in activity of
Caribbean cartels that led to the rise of an alternate route of smuggling through Mexico. This led to the increased collaboration
between major Colombian and Mexican drug traffickers. Such drastic changes in the drug trade in Colombia along with the
political instabilities and rise of drug wars in Medellin and Cali, gave way for the rise of the smaller Colombian drug trafficking
organizations. As the drug trade’s influence over the economy increased, drug lords and their networks grew in their power and
influence in society. The occurrences in drug-related violence increased during this time period as drug lords fought to maintain
their control in the economy.
3. Environmental impacts
Drug trafficking is beginning to have increasing negative impacts in Central America, Especially in the amazon rainforest. The
environmental impacts have been documented in areas such as Colombia where the cocaine plantations encompassed large areas
of the amazon during the countries various armed conflicts. This problem though extends beyond where it is grown and has begun
to destroy the rainforest in places such as Guatemala and Honduras, where drug cartels have relocated due to the intensifying war
in Mexico.
4. Historical events
a) The Mexican drug war has been ongoing since December of 2006 and it is still continuing till the present day. It is an
armed conflict between rival drug cartels fighting amongst themselves for control as well as against the Mexican
government and civilians. Since 2006, it has been the government’s primary goal to put an end to drug cartels which have
been becoming increasingly powerful since the 90’s. As of 2007, Mexican drug cartels controlled 90% of the cocaine
entering the United States.
b) In 2012, The Netherland’s began to regulate the sales of Cannabis. It introduced laws in May 2012, excluding foreigners
except Belgians and Germans from buying weed in shops by introducing a weed pass, where
previously anyone could buy it. This pass allowed limited one establishment to selling weed to only 2000 customers. This
law became effective throughout the country on January 1st 2013.
c) In January 2014, a U.S. Coast aircraft detected a 25-foot go-fast boat with four individuals on board and suspicious
packages aboard moving at a high rate of speed. The U.S. Coast Guard intercepted the suspected drug smugglers and
offloaded $37 million dollars’ worth of cocaine south of the Dominican republic while arresting the four individuals
onboard.
Past UN Actions
In 2012, resolution 55/7 was passed which is the resolution on Narcotic drugs, promoting measures to prevent drug overdose. This
declaration encourages all member states to include prevention and treatment for drug overdose, especially opioid overdose in
their national drug policies as well as share their information and practices. This resolution also called on the UNODC to
collaborate with the WHO to collect and circulate available best practices on prevention and treatment of drug overdose in
particular opioid overdose.
In 2012, the resolution 55/10 was passed which urged member states to develop, promote and implement cost effective policies to
prevent the use of illegal drugs, with emphasis on children and youth at risk. It further urged member states to raise awareness of
the risks posed to society due to drug abuse and the conditions that make people susceptible to abusing drugs.
Bloc Position
Africa (except North Africa)
Between 2004 and 2007, at least two distinct trans-shipment hubs
emerged in West Africa
Colombian traffickers transported cocaine by ship to the West
African coast before offloading to smaller vessels.
West and Central Africa accounts for a large share of global
seizures of non-specified amphetamines.
North, Central and South America
Many of these countries are transit countries for cocaine bound for
North America and Europe.
or the North American market, cocaine is typically transported
from Colombia to Mexico or Central America by sea and then
onwards by land to the United States and Canada
In a number of other European countries, Peru and Bolivia seem to
be the primary source countries of cocaine.
Middle East and North Africa
High levels of amphetamine seizures in recent years.
amphetamine seizures from countries in the Middle East continue to
refer predominantly to tablets bearing the Captagon logo
Laboratories may also exist in countries along this route, possibly
carrying out the conversion into tablet form
Asia and Pacific
drug trafficking has grown in recent years is experiencing economic
expansion
Rise in opium.
Europe and Eurasia
over 3.7 million people who inject drugs
Afghanistan has dominated the worldwide opium market for more than
a decade
Key destination markets are Europe and Russia
Afghan heroin is also increasingly meeting a rapidly growing share of
Asian demand
HIV is becoming increasingly rampant in this region.
Keys of the Resolution
1. What policies can be put in place to reduce the number of individuals abusing drugs?
2. What can be done to reduce the number of children joining drug cartels and gangs especially those from poor areas?
3. Are there any methods which can be undertaken to reduce the violence resulting drug related conflicts?
4. What can be done to rehabilitate people who were formerly involved in the illicit drug trade or formerly abused drugs?
5. What is the role of the local police force in monitoring the drug cartels in the area?
6. What can be done to rescue at risk children from becoming involved in drugs?