Monday, July 4, 2022

Europe’s next drug hotspot

 

Ukraine drugs trafficking organized crime war European Union laboratories amphetamines corruption

The accession of Ukraine could lead to further negative consequences for Europe and the world. The United Nations has warned of an increase in drug production in the war-torn country. At the same time, the conflict could also become a problem for drug smugglers.

According to the United Nations, the Ukraine war could lead to an increase in drug production. Conflict regions act like a “magnet” for the production of synthetic drugs, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Vienna warned in its annual report. “This effect may be greater when the conflict region is near large consumer markets”.

According to the UNODC, the number of drug laboratories for the production of amphetamines closed by the authorities in Ukraine has risen sharply in recent years, from 17 in 2019 to 79 in 2020. This was the highest number of closed amphetamine laboratories in the world.

As the war continues, the number of drug labs could increase further. “There is no police patrolling and stopping laboratories,” said UNODC expert Angela Me, referring to conflict zones. However, according to the report, the war in Ukraine could also lead to drug smuggling routes being disrupted or postponed.  (more...)

Europe’s next drug hotspot


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