DRUG MONEY TERRORIST LINK
Australia now has agreements with 35 countries to exchange financial intelligence to attack money laundering, drug trafficking, terrorism and organized crime.
These latest agreements establish international partnerships with other governments to trace money from illegal activities.
The agreements are focused on the Asia Pacific area in tackling drug pushers and terrorist groups that receive the money.
(Source: The Australian newspaper 6 July 2004)
Evidence given to the US Senate by the US Drug Enforcement Administration has linked drug pushing by terrorist groups.
Nearly half (47%) of the Foreign Terrorist Organisations identified by the US Department of State have been identified with possible links to the drug trade.
The US Department of Justice has investigated and proven the links between the drug trade and terrorist organizations.
Drug income is amongst the source of revenue for some international terrorist groups.
(Source: Testimony by Hon. Karen Tandy to US Senate Caucus 4/3/04)
DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA COMMENTS
Australia MUST reduce the use of illicit drugs in order to cut off the money flowing out of Australia to terrorist and criminal organizations.
The large illicit drug market here fuels the drugs that are imported into Australia.
Programs that maintain illicit drug users on drugs are assisting the drug market that provides the money for terrorists and criminals.
Tracing the drug money flowing out of Australia is too late to help illicit drug users that have been affected by the imported drugs.
More detoxification & rehabilitation that gets illicit drug users drug free.
Court ordered and supervised detoxification & rehabilitation.
Less illicit drug users, drug pushers and drug related crimes. 39/2004