International Crime Drug linkLAUNDERING DRUG MONEY
International criminals involved in an ecstasy and cannabis drug trafficking ring have laundered the money received using bank accounts in various countries.
The illicit drug operations mainly occurred in USA and Canada.
The network made large cash deposits into various bank accounts that were later transferred electronically to other bank accounts in other countries with low financial security such as Vietnam.
The illicit drug operations involved up to US$5 million each month.
(Source: US Drug Enforcement Administration media release 31/3/04)
DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA COMMENT-
Many illicit drugs into Australia come from overseas sources run by criminals or terrorists that benefit from the money.
Australia has international obligations to reduce the demand for illicit drugs so as to reduce the international trade of drugs and money.
Drug policies based on harm minimisation lead to an increase in demand for illicit drugs and fuel the money going to traffickers.
Maintaining illicit drug users on drugs by providing injecting rooms and syringe distribution systems provides a market for the international drug traffickers and makes international anti drug policing more difficult.
Australia MUST reduce the demand for illicit drugs by using its courts to divert drug users into detoxification then rehabilitation to a drug free state rather than incarceration.
More detoxification & rehabilitation that gets users drug free.
Court ordered and supervised detoxification & rehabilitation.
Less illicit drug users, drug pushers and drug related crimes.
16/2004