RESOLUTION on drug trafficking

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its resolution of 9 Octobre 1986 on the problem of drugs (1)

(1) OJ No C 283, 10.11.1986, p. 79.

- having regard to the motion for a resolution tabled by Mrs Dury (Doc. B2-611/87),

- having regard to the report by its Committee of Inquiry into the drugs problem in the Member States of the European Community (Doc. A2-114/86),

- having regard to the Council's decision of 22 January 1987 on EEC participation at the Vienna Conference,

- having regard to the report of the Committee on External Economic Relations (Doc. A2-349/88),

A. whereas international drug trafficking originates in the cultivation or production and subsequent processing of raw materials that give a high return on investments,

B. whereas practically no progress has been made in the crop substitution policy because the cultivation of raw materials for drugs is more profitable,

C. whereas this failure is due to underdevelopment and poverty which have been greatly exacerbated by the vast amounts transferred from the countries concerned to pay off debts and interest,

D. whereas economic development, democracy and security are being seriously jeopardized in the drug-producing countries by the expanding operation of criminal organizations engaged in drug trafficking there,

E. whereas the increase in trafficking and in profits is reinforced by increased demand throughout the world,

F. whereas the recent cases of banks implicated in the laundering of dirty money acquired through drug trafficking confirm the need for increased collaboration at international level between the competent authorities and for new forms of cooperation to be instituted,

G. whereas the deployment in South America of armed forces designed to assist in coca bush eradication and the elimination of clandestine laboratories has up till now proved a virtual failure,

H. whereas the drug trafficker distances himself from the distribution of drugs as proven by the very large number of small-scale pushers now in prison but which has not reduced the phenomenon of large-scale trafficking,

I. whereas the drug trafficker keeps himself close to his money and whereas international coordinated investigations into large-scale trafficking particularly connected to the money laundering through banks in Europe and the USA have met some success,

J. whereas the UN Fund for Drug Abuse Control has revealed close links between drug trafficking, international organized crime and certain terrorist movements; whereas, more-over, the great concentration of power in the hands of such organizations constitutes a grave threat to democratic institutions.

1. Points out that crop substitution programmes in developing countries must be acceptable to small and large-scale farmers. This means that their incomes must be maintained;

2. Also considers it necessary to devise a general programme of aid in various fields, particularly economic aid for drug producing under-developed countries which, because of tolerant and not always consistent attitudes towards the suppression of production and trafficking obtain funds from drug sources that sometimes contribute to paying off their huge external debts;

3. Considers that in order to have any appreciable effect the 12 Member States of the Community should strengthen their cohesion through multilateral agreements on i.a. extradition, confiscation of assets, monitoring in the banking and financial systems, money laundering, the gathering of intelligence, and collaborate closely and actively in drawing up a new international convention on drugs;

4. Urges the Commission and the Council to collaborate closely on a new international convention on drugs with a view to tackling the serious increase in drug abuse;

5. Points out that greatly improved collaboration on both a European and international level will assist in providing the instruments and expertise needed for adequate controls at Community external frontiers and for monitoring the financial and banking systems of the Member States and considers this to be essential if the internal market is to be completed in 1992;

6. Considers that a Community conference should be organized, with the active participation of the European Parliament, to increase awareness of the results of initiatives taken by the Member States with regard to drug trafficking, the involvement of criminal and terrorist organizations in the financial and banking system, and the effectiveness of repressive measures and preventive policies applied hitherto;

7. Welcomes that fact that the EEC has contributed to the budget of the relevant UN Fund and calls on the Commission to collaborate further with the Fund in providing information on and combating drug trafficking;

8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council and the governments of the Member States.