[Customs and Drugs Report. World Customs Organization

Transcription

1 [Customs and Drugs Report 8 World Customs Organization

2 Table of contents Table of contents FOREWORD EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 8 INTRODUCTION 6 GLOBAL OVERVIEW OF MAJOR DRUG TYPES 8 REGIONAL OVERVIEWS EUROPE 7 REGIONAL OVERVIEWS ASIA/PACIFIC 9 REGIONAL OVERVIEWS THE AMERICAS 33 REGIONAL OVERVIEWS AFRICA 39 REGIONAL OVERVIEWS MIDDLE EAST 3 SPECIAL ITEMS NATIONAL CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT NETWORK (ncen) CENcomm OPERATIONAL CO-ORDINATION UNIT (OCU) OPERATION COCAIR OPERATION DRUG STOP PROJECT AIRCOP STATISTICAL APPENDICES CONTACT 8 WCO VISION STATEMENT 6 WCO MISSION STATEMENT 6 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 6 Copyright 9 World Customs Organization. All rights reserved. Requests and inquiries concerning translation, reproduction and adaptation rights should be addressed to copyright@wcoomd.org. D/9/8/3 WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8

3 Foreword FOREWORD It is a great honour to present to you the World Customs Organization s (WCO) Report on international trafficking in drugs and chemical precursors for 8. Globalization of trade has created a surge in supply and demand, both in terms of licit and illicit trade. Unfortunately, illicit trade continues to flourish or even increases in scale during times of crisis. Whereas legitimate traders seek out crossing points where they will be granted facilitation, traffickers seek out the easiest option, namely zones where everything is negotiable, especially illegal operations. What is more, current events show that there is nothing to stop them. They have no qualms about changing the routeing, means of transport or using intermediate reloading. Criminal organizations are taking advantage of problems or sometimes even of a complete absence of co-operation and mutual administrative or legal assistance. They have adapted to changes in the economy and infiltrated legal trade channels, especially by using all the new technologies available to derive the maximum benefits and profits. Illicit activities are consequently buried under the daily whirlwind of transactions and it is extremely difficult to unravel the tangle of legal and illegal operations. Intelligence sharing, co-operation and mutual assistance must be strengthened in response to this scourge. We have to pool our efforts and make the best possible use of all the tools and instruments available to us, whilst demonstrating a high level of integrity. To that end, the WCO Secretariat, which has made the fight against drug trafficking one of its priorities, takes as its basis an Action Plan approved by the Council in June 8. This Action Plan, which was not designed as a rigid list of measures to be implemented, but rather as a dynamic means of action, focuses on promoting information exchange between Customs administrations, building Customs services capacities, co-operation with external (public/private) partners, raising public awareness about Customs services actions and enhancing the Secretariat s role in terms of supporting Members operational activities. Throughout 8, the Secretariat has put a great deal of effort into supporting Members operational activities and into conducting targeted operations. These activities, especially Operations Drug Stop and COCAIR, have borne out the significance of such a mechanism combining the three pillars of enforcement : firstly, experience, expertise and sharing of knowledge; secondly, exchanging, supplementing and circulating information and intelligence; and, finally, the use of modern enforcement techniques and technologies. The WCO chose International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on 6 June 8 to organize a heightened control operation aimed at combating illicit trafficking in narcotics and chemical precursors within all its Member countries. In order to see Operation Drug Stop through to a successful conclusion, all the Directors General were invited to implement heightened controls and were given full scope to select the areas on which they wished to focus their efforts, based on their own country s specific requirements. Sixty Member s responded positively to this Secretariat initiative, together with eight Regional Intelligence Liaison Offices (RILOs). Over one hundred users connected up to CENcomm simultaneously to input data on seizures made and to share information over the course of 6 June 8. This Operation proved to be a resounding success, with a total of 8 seizures made by some thirty or so countries, mainly involving the postal items and express courier sectors. Over 3 kg of drugs were seized by Customs services during this one-day Operation. These broke down into kg of cannabis (herbal and resin), kg of khat, 3 kg of cocaine, kg of opiates (heroin and opium), 7, ecstasy and amphetamine tablets as well as litres of GBL (Gamma-Butyrolactone). In December 8, in partnership with the European Commission, Interpol and the UNODC, the WCO Secretariat carried out a pilot operation named COCAIR in West and Central African countries, intended to strengthen anti-drug trafficking measures in international airports. The aim was to intercept consignments of cocaine and other drugs bound for Europe. Over the course of seven consecutive days, Customs services from the various countries taking part in the Operation put the training they had received into practice : product recognition, risk analysis, selection, targeting and information and intelligence sharing. The motivation and dynamism demonstrated by the WCO Secretariat, coupled with the first-rate co-operation that reigned with the other experts from partner organizations, were reflected by a wide- WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8

4 Foreword spread marshalling of forces in the field. The responsiveness of the Directors General of Customs of the Members involved and the co-ordinated action by their services yielded results (see the Special articles section for more information). Overall, drug seizures made by WCO Members in 8 increased significantly in terms of the total quantities seized in comparison with 7, and also increased modestly in terms of the number of seizures made. In point of fact, there has been an increase from 3,36 seizure reports covering a total of 66 tonnes of all categories of drugs in 7, to 3, seizure reports covering a total of 69 tonnes of drugs in 8. This equates to an increase of over 6 % in the total quantity of products seized. Almost tonnes of cocaine were intercepted in 8 ( % less than in 7), 7 % of which was seized by Western European countries alone. That region represents the main destination market for this product. In 8, seizures of cannabis (herbal, resin and oil) amounted to a total of tonnes, an increase of more than % over 7. Spain remains the country having made the most seizures together with Morocco, the source country for cannabis resin for over 7 % of the products seized. Over 9 tonnes of opiate products were seized by Customs services in 8, some six times more than the previous year. This figure was greatly affected by a notable drug seizure involving close to 7 tonnes of poppy straw reported by Pakistan. Afghanistan remains the main source country for this category of drug, thus confirming, if need be, the trend observed over recent years. The data in this Report has been compiled from information input into the Customs Enforcement Network (CEN), which has been operational since July. Today, more than WCO Member administrations and over, users have access to the database (over, entries on Customs offences), an information and communication system, a dedicated Web site and a picture data bank of places of concealment. The growing number of Customs officers using this network on a daily basis bears witness to its effectiveness. The CEN also consists of applications such as the CENcomm communication tool which has enjoyed burgeoning success since, the year it entered into service. Many regional or international operations to combat trafficking in drugs, weapons, cigarettes, counterfeit goods and money laundering have been carried out. Some 6 operations covering different areas of fraud, but essentially drugs, were conducted using CENcomm in 8. That equates to triple the amount of operations carried out in 6, with further actions scheduled. Finally, the WCO Secretariat provides an Operational Co-ordination Unit (OCU), which effectively supplements this enforcement mechanism. The WCO hosts the OCU and all the requisite equipment (computers with Internet connection, telephones and faxes). It is independent from the Secretariat and ensures co-ordination between WCO Members participating in a given operation, as well as with other non- Customs services involved. I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to WCO Members and to the RILOs which have contributed to this Report by entering cases in the CEN and by validating data. Analysis is only as valuable as the quality of data on which it is based, and to that end greater participation by certain Members or RILOs would undoubtedly enhance the quality of the worldwide data analyses conducted. I therefore wish to encourage all Member administrations to do everything in their power to ensure that each and every seizure relating to drugs and precursors is habitually input into the CEN. I hope that this Report will provide valuable assistance, on a daily basis, to those Customs officers tasked with combating trafficking in drugs and precursors, especially by providing them with information on the latest trends or routeings used by traffickers, and by giving them a global picture of the phenomenon. Kunio Mikuriya Secretary General World Customs Organization WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8 3

5 Executive Summary 8 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 8 The seizure data has been compiled from the WCO Customs Enforcement Network (CEN) database, which has been operational since July. Today, countries, involving more than, users, have access to the CEN. More than, cases of Customs fraud have been entered by Members or by their respective RILO. A total of Members reported seizures of drugs to the CEN database relating to more than 3, cases. Opiates Cocaine Cannabis resin Western Europe is the world s largest market for cannabis resin. Moroccan cannabis resin remains the largest source and trafficking patterns in Western Europe remain the same as in previous years. The majority of the resin is moved to Spain and then overland to France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. In Afghanistan, a country which is responsible for some 9 % of illicit opiate production, opium poppy cultivation continues to flourish according to the annual report of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB). Heroin Customs administrations worldwide were extremely effective during 8, intercepting,8 consignments of over grams (the minimum threshold for inclusion of data in the CEN), namely a % increase in the number of findings compared with 7. This increase is also substantial from a quantitative perspective (+7 %) and has been continually growing since. The overland vehicles sector remains the preferred means of transport for dispatching heroin. As had been the case from to 8, in noticeably smaller proportions, roadside checks led to the detection of 7 % of illegal heroin consignments. Seizures made in the air freight sector also rose in 8 (3 % of the total seizures made and % of the total quantities seized). The use of mail and express courier for heroin consignments has continued to grow over recent years (9 cases totalling 33 kg intercepted in 8). This trend should prompt Customs services to heighten controls in this sector. The latest United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) studies reveal that the global cocaine market is characterized by relative stability, with supply and demand indicators having remained unchanged over recent years. With regard to Customs seizures of cocaine, almost tonnes were intercepted in 8, equating to a % reduction compared with the 7 quantities. There was a fall of approximately % in the number of seizures made. The trend noted between and 7, shaking up the traditional delivery routes for cocaine to some extent and showing that West and Central Africa was increasingly being used by traffickers as a storage and transit hub for cocaine from South America with Europe as its final destination, was confirmed in 8, even though the quantities seized and the number of cases noted decreased, as shown by the analysis in the relevant chapter (Regional overviews - Africa). Cannabis Cannabis remains one of the most available and widely abused drugs. The drug is cultivated in most countries of the world, since it does not require a high degree of technical expertise nor elaborate processes. The growing levels of indoor and hydroponics cultivation in most parts of the world are causing concern among drug enforcement agencies. Herbal cannabis The total quantity of herbal cannabis seized in 8 reached new heights when looking a t t h e a m o u n t s s e i z e d s i n c e, amounting to tonnes. Ghana was the main source country for the h e r b a l c a n n a b i s s e i z e d w o r l d w i d e amounting to tonnes in 8 incidents. This is a huge increase compared with 7 when only tonnes had departed Ghana. The 8 figure is however affected by a seizure of 9 tonnes detected by Dutch Customs. The cannabis was concealed in a sea freight consignment of cashew nuts. Paraguay is another source country for herbal cannabis in the South America region. Most of the Paraguayan drugs were detected whitin the country. The main destination country is Argentina, followed by Brazil and Chile. As Paraguay is one of the largest producers of herbal cannabis, it is believed that Paraguayan herbal shipments may also be targeting other regions in the world such as Europe. Amphetamine The Middle East, and especially Saudi Arabia, is still the main market for seizures of counterfeit Captagon tablets. Since these tablets contain amphetamines, seizures of Captagon have been reported as amphetamine seizures in the Middle East region. WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8

6 Executive Summary 8 The total quantity of amphetamine seized in 8 was almost 9 tonnes a decrease of almost. tonnes in comparison with 7. Almost 73 % of the amount seized was reported by Middle East region followed by 9 % from Western Europe and 7 % from the Asia and the Pacific region. MDMA (ecstasy) The volume of MDMA (ecstasy) almost vanished in 8 as only 68 kg in 8 incidents were detected by Customs worldwide. The huge quantity reported in 7 was affected of a huge seizure of. tonnes of ecstasy detected in the world s largest ecstasy seizure made in Australia. The sea freight consignment had originated from Italy and the drugs were detected in tins of tomato. The reason for the decrease is firstly that ecstasy production is more and more taking place in other regions, which means that the drug does not have to cross any borders with the risk being detected by Customs. Swedish Customs seized 66 kg of opium from a storage facility north of Stockholm. The drugs were discovered in hollow wooden boards divided into sections. Each section contained approximately kg of opium. (Photos courtesy of Swedish Customs) Another reason for the decrease is the lack of exceptionally large seizures during 8. Methamphetamine There were detections of methamphetamine reported in 8, totalling,78 kg. Methamphetamines continue mainly to be a problem in the Asia Pacific region, as almost 97 % of the weight were detected here. Philippines Customs detected the largest methamphetamine made in 8 in a warehouse. The sea freight shipment had originated in Chinese, Taipai and a total of 66 kg were detected. A total of 8 seizures amounting to kg originated from Lao People s Democratic Republic. All these seizures were detected by Thai Customs and mostly the couriers arrived by vehicle or by foot, while the drugs were concealed in the luggage or concealed on the person of the couriers. It is recommended that other neighbouring countries consider Lao People s Democratic Republic as being a high risk for methamphetamine smuggling. Lithuania is another source country for methamphetamine seizures mainly made in the Russian Federation and Sweden. Khat The number of seizures fell dramatically from 88 incidents in 7 to only 9 cases in 8, while the quantity seized continued to increase from 6 tonnes in 7 to tonnes in 8. A total of 99 % of the number of seizures and quantity seized were reported by Members in the Western Europe region. WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8

7 Executive Summary 8 Western Europe Herbal Cannabis In 8, 3 % (9 tonnes) of the total quantity of herbal cannabis intercepted in Western Europe came from Ghana, and this is most probably a new trend that Customs officers must take into consideration when conducting targeting operations (particularly in the sea freight domain). Eastern & Central Europe Heroin Air traffic should be considered an increasingly significant means of shipping heroin from Eastern and Central European countries to Western Europe. Commonwealth of Independent States Cocaine As in 7, the source countries for the cocaine intercepted are located solely in South America (especially Ecuador and Chile). The two biggest seizures were made in November 8 by Customs officers in St. Petersburg, on board two vessels having set sail from Ecuador. The goods had transited via South Africa in the first case ( kg), and gone through Estonia in the second case ( kg). There is reason to believe that cocaine trafficking by sea from South America is a trend that looks set to continue or even develop. Asia and the Pacific Heroin A total of 73 cases or 7 kg of heroin was detected in the mail sector, which is a significant increase compared to previous years. This is mainly due to the enforcement controls carried out by Pakistani Customs, as 93 % of cases were reported from there. The mail shipments were mostly detected in Karachi, Lahore or Rawalpindi, with final destinations in the United Kingdom, South Africa, and China and to a lesser extent Tanzania, Nigeria and Kenya. Whilst Pakistani Customs detects numerous attempts to smuggle heroin out of the country, it is believed that mail shipments originating from Pakistan should be considered as highrisk consignments. Asia and the Pacific Methamphetamine Methamphetamine are still widely abused in the Asia and the Pacific region. The volume of methamphetamine increased dramatically by 6 % compared with 7, as more than.7 tonnes were seized in 8. Canada - Cocaine A significant portion of the cocaine that transits the United States to Canada has been transshipped through Mexico. The United States remains the primary transit country for cocaine shipments entering Canada. However, large shipments continue to be smuggled via the marine and air modes from locations outside the United States. South America Cocaine Almost 87 % of the reports made in the region refer to cocaine seizures, while the w e i g h t s e i z e d a l s o r o s e b y %, amounting to almost 3 tonnes. Argentine Customs made the largest seizure during 8, amounting to 7.3 tonnes of cocaine inside the luggage compartmend of a bus. It was a seizure made inside the country. African Region - Cocaine Although Latin America remains the world s p r i m a r y c o c a i n e p ro d u c i n g r e g i o n (Colombia, Bolivia and Peru), with North America and Western Europe as the main consumer markets, the distribution methods within these markets are nevertheless continuously developing. In parallel to the above results, cocaine seizures made in Western Europe s main airports in 8, with West and Central Africa as the countries of consignment, remain relatively significant despite the numbers being down on 7, as illustrated by the results contained in the table (page 39). Middle East It is believed that Iranian opium shipments destined for the Middle East region may increase in the near future. The volume of amphetamine seized in the region dropped by more than 6 tonnes after having continuously increased in recent years. 6 WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8

8 Introduction INTRODUCTION The Annual Customs and Drugs Report is prepared by the World Customs Organization (WCO) and is intended for the use of WCO Members and other law enforcement agencies. This year s Report again considers the analysis of seizures on a regional basis and includes a brief global overview on each of the main drug categories in order to provide information on the current production and trafficking trends not identified by regional analysis. The seizure data has been compiled from the WCO Customs Enforcement Network (CEN) database, which has been operational since July. Today, countries, involving more than, users, have access to CEN. More than, cases of Customs fraud have been entered by Members or by their respective RILO. WCO Members and the RILOs have contributed to this Report by entering cases and by validating seizure data. All figures and conclusions have been compiled from data input into the CEN by 7 March 9. Data provided this date will have arrived too late to be included in this Report. We are aware that there are significant gaps in the information available. This Report includes only seizures made by Customs, joint Customs & Police Units or by other law enforcement agencies having Customs powers. As the reporting limits are not the same in all regions, the highest common limits have been used, enabling comparisons to be made. The limits are shown in the table below. To permit comparisons between the seizures, we have converted all amounts of tablets into kilograms by using the conversion rate of one tablet to one third of a gram. Seizures reported in ampoules, capsules, units, etc. are considered as being reported in tablet form and are therefore also converted into kilograms using the conversion rate mentioned above. This Report and the analysis and trends that emerge from it are only as credible as the information from which it has been drawn. It is stressed that considerable care is needed when drawing conclusions from the statistics in the drugs field. Exceptionally large seizures might boost the analysis, and therefore the statistical appendices give an overview of the largest seizures made in the main drug categories. In February 8, Slovakian Customs and Police officers detected 6 kg of cocaine in a consignment of wine being shipped from South America via Hamburg (Germany). The drug had been melted to form a viscous liquid, poured into bottles and declared as red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon). The liquid in the bottles contained cocaine and benzoic acid, with the actual cocaine content being established as making up approximately % of the weight. The estimated street value of the seized drugs is some million euro. (Photos courtesy of Slovakian Customs) Drug type Cocaine Opiates Cannabis Khat Psychotropic substances Minimum limits grams grams kg kg grams WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8 7

9 Global overview of major drug types GLOBAL OVERVIEW OF MAJOR DRUG TYPES The aim of this section is to provide a brief overview of the worldwide situation in respect of the main d r u g c a t e g o r i e s. I n o r d e r t o achieve this we have looked at some of the major recent strategic analyses of the drug trade, carried out by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), as well as analysing the WCO's Customs Enforcement Network (CEN) database of drugs seizures. Rilo Region Asia and the Pacific,33,8,3, Caribbean Central Africa 8 9 CIS Region (Commonwealth of Independent States) Eastern and Central Europe 7 Eastern and Southern Africa Middle East 6 89 North Africa North America South America 9, West Africa 6 78 Western Europe 9,68 8,88 9,3 9,8 Grand Total,968,8 3,36 3, Afghanistan opium poppy cultivation (hectares) More specific details in respect of regional seizure statistics, patterns and trends may be found in the regional breakdowns in the later sections of this Report. A breakdown of the number and quantity seized may be found in the "Statistical Appendices" section of this Report. 6, 93, 7, A total of Members reported seizures of drugs to the CEN database relating to more than 3, cases. 3, Opiates, In Afghanistan, a country which is responsible for some 9 % of illicit opiate production, opium poppy cultivation continues to flourish according to the annual report of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB). 8, 7, 8, Even though the land dedicated to opium poppy cultivation has decreased by approximately 9 % (see table opposite), declining from 93, hectares in 7 to 7, hectares in 8, actual opium production only fell by 6 % (7,7 tonnes in 8 compared with 8, tonnes in 7) as a result of higher yields. 8, (Source : UNODC) WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8

10 Global overview of major drug types Heroin Customs administrations worldwide were extremely effective during 8, intercepting,8 consignments of over grams (the minimum threshold for inclusion of data in the CEN), namely a % increase in the number of findings compared with 7. This increase is also substantial from a quantitative perspective (+7 %) and has been continually growing since, as borne out by the table below. Heroin seized worlwide Quantity (Kg) ,9 6,36 7,66 No. of seizures,3 9,89,8 9, The "Europe" region, comprising the Eastern and Central Europe RILO ( % of the seizures made), the Western Europe RILO ( % of the seizures made) and the Commonwealth of Independent States RILO (6 % of the seizures made), accounts for almost 87 % of the total quantities seized in 8 (8 % in 7). The Members of the Asia Pacific RILO account for approximately % of the heroin seizures made in 8. The other RILOs together share about % of seizures of this type of drug. The "overland vehicles" sector remains the preferred means of transport for dispatching heroin. As had been the case from to 8 in noticeably smaller proportions, roadside checks led to the detection of 7 % of illegal heroin consignments. Seizures made in the air freight sector also rose in 8 (3 % of the total seizures made and % of the total quantities seized). Out of a total of 39 interceptions in the air traffic sector, involved "air freight" yielding an overall amount of 388 kg (out of a total of,369 kg). 8 did not see a repeat of the small number of detections made On 3 January 9, Customs officers at Dubai International Airport detected.83 kg of heroin whilst searching the suitcase of an Afghani passenger having arrived on flight No. FG (Afghanistan United Arab Emirates). The drugs were detected by X-ray and were concealed inside 3 bags of almond peels. (Photos courtesy of Dubai Customs) in 7 involving maritime containers shipped directly from Turkey to northern European ports. Only three seizures in excess of kg were made in the sea freight sector in 8, namely 7 kg of heroin consigned in India and intercepted by Australian Customs in Sydney port, 3 kg of heroin consigned in Pakistan and intercepted by Kuwaiti Customs at Al-Shuwai port and kg of heroin (place of consignment unknown) intercepted by Irish Customs in Dublin. The use of mail and express courier for heroin consignments has continued to grow over recent years (9 cases totalling 33 kg intercepted in 8). This trend should prompt Customs services to heighten controls in this sector. The main departure and destination countries identified in 8 are listed in the tables contained in the "Statistical Appendices" chapter. The results have evolved somewhat WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8 9

11 Global overview of major drug types since 7 when Turkey was the main departure country with % of the quantities seized worldwide. In 8, Iran and Turkey with.7 tonnes of heroin at departure were well ahead, followed by Uzbekistan ( tonne), the Netherlands (secondary distribution country - 9 kg), Pakistan (97 kg), India (8 kg) and Tajikistan (97 kg). The United Kingdom is the main destination country for heroin with a total of, 3 kg, closely followed by Russia (,76 kg), Germany (,37 kg), Bulgaria (, 9 k g ), I t a l y ( k g ) a n d t h e Netherlands (97 kg), to mention only the six main countries. In terms of the number of heroin seizures made, Pakistan far surpasses the countries most frequently cited as departure or consignment countries (3 cases out of,8), well ahead of the Netherlands ( cases out of,8) and India ( cases out of,8). The United Kingdom appears 9 times in the routeing for heroin shipments from Pakistan, followed by India (9 times), Nigeria (6 times), Malaysia ( times), South Africa ( times) and Saudi Arabia ( times). First and foremost, shipments from Pakistan use the airport sector ( % of cases) and the parcel post or express parcels sector (38 % of cases). Afghanistan stands out in terms of the number of heroin shipments, rising from 8 cases for a total of 7 kg of heroin in 7 to cases totalling 6 kg in 8. Shipments from Afghanistan were mainly detected in Western Europe, particularly the United Kingdom and Germany, in the mail and express courier sector. This finding would appear to show that a growing portion of the opium crop is being processed into heroin by laboratories in Afghanistan. Opium The number of opium seizures made in 8 increased substantially compared with 7. On the other hand, the quantity seized decreased by % to a total of 86 kg. The Members of the CIS RILO seized 3 kg, followed by the Members of the Western Europe RILO (8 kg) and the Asia/Pacific Opium seized worldwide Quantity (Kg) No. of seizures 7, RILO (6kg). Overall, these three RILOs consequently reported the largest quantities of opium seizures. The preferred means of transport for dispatching opium remains road vehicles (lorries, buses and passengers cars). With a total of 3 seizures made in 8, entailing a total quantity of 3 kg, the mail and express courier sectors remain the most significant smuggling methods that have to be taken into consideration. Afghanistan, Iran and Azerbaijan (in order of quantities of opium seized) are the three main departure countries for opium shipments (6 % of the total quantity seized). The main destination countries in terms of the quantities of opium intercepted are, in descending order, the Russian Federation (9 kg), followed by Uzbekistan (79 kg), Sweden ( kg) and the United Kingdom (7 kg), to mention only countries which were the recipients of at least kg. Three exceptional seizures deserve special mention : A seizure, the first of its kind, made in Stockholm (Sweden) on April 8, involving kg apprehended during a house search. The place of origin and consignment of the products could not be determined. The second seizure was made by Russian Customs in Aleksandrov, on board a lorry coming from Germany, and yielded a total quantity of 3 kg. The third seizure was made by Uzbekistan Customs and involved kg intercepted from an overland vehicle travelling from Afghanistan and bound for the Russian Federation. Cocaine The latest United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) studies reveal that the global cocaine market is characterized by relative stability, with supply and demand indicators having remained unchanged over recent years. WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8

12 Global overview of major drug types With regard to Customs seizures of cocaine, almost tonnes were intercepted in 8, equating to a % reduction compared with the 7 quantities. There was a fall of approximately % in the number of seizures made. Western European countries alone were responsible for 7 % of the total quantities seized. That region consequently remains the main destination market for this product. With over tonnes ( % of the total quantity) of cocaine seized, Spanish Customs continues to hold the top spot in terms of quantity in 8 (the proportion was up to % in 6 and 7). Argentine Customs, with slightly more than tonnes seized in 8 (approximately % of the total quantity), takes second place, Cocaine seized worldwide Quantity (Kg) 6,973 6, No. of seizures,836 7,7 6,8, A total of kg of cocaine was detected at Barcelona seaport in Spain, courtesy of a joint operation by Argentine and Spanish Customs. The cocaine was concealed inside attachments and parts of agricultural machinery. (Photos courtesy of Argentine Customs) followed by Portugal (3.3 tonnes), the Netherlands (.9 tonnes), Belgium (.7 tonnes), the United Kingdom (. tonnes), France (.3 tonnes) and Italy (. tonnes), to mention only the countries having seized a minimum of one tonne of cocaine in 8. Only nine seizures involving quantities in excess of one tonne were made in 8, with sixteen seizures involving quantities in excess of kg. The latter are attributable to Spain (8), Portugal (3), Argentina (), Belgium () and France and Brazil (). From a quantitative perspective, Argentine Customs made the largest cocaine seizure on 8 December 8. It involved 7.3 tonnes concealed in the luggage compartment of a bus stopped during a roadside check on Argentine territory (Cabo Vallegos Tucuman). Latin America remains the world's leading cocaine-producing region (Colombia, Bolivia and Peru). The main consumer markets are still located in North America and Western Europe, however the distribution methods within these markets continue to evolve. Taking into consideration the country of departure of consignments with regard to the quantities seized input into the CEN, 8 saw changes in the trends observed for 7 whereby Peru, Bolivia and Colombia, the main-cocaine producing countries, only took 8 th, th and th place respectively. Indeed, for 8 Colombia takes nd place with 6.7 tonnes, followed by Peru in 6th place with.7 tonnes, while Bolivia lags way behind in th place with.3 tonnes. Venezuela with over 8 tonnes, Ecuador with.7 tonnes, Brazil with. tonnes and Argentina with over one tonne are secondary distribution countries and serve as warehousing and storage areas for cocaine between the producer and destination countries. The trend noted between and 7, shaking up the traditional delivery routes for cocaine to some extent and showing that West and Central Africa was increasingly being used by traffickers as a storage and transit hub for cocaine from South America with Europe as its final destination, was confirmed in 8, even though the quantities seized and the number of cases noted decreased, as shown by the analysis in the relevant chapter (Regional overviews - Africa). WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8

13 Global overview of major drug types Regarding the means of transport used for delivering cocaine to the final destination regions, figures have been relatively stable in terms of the number of seizures made, as borne out by the following two tables. Over half the findings are concentrated in the air traffic sector (passengers and freight), far ahead of the postal (mail and express courier) and overland vehicles sectors. This trend is almost the same as that noted for the period 6-8. In terms of the quantities seized, the trends have developed somewhat in 8 compared with 6-7. The port sector (vessels) still plays a prevalent role with over 6 % of the total quantities seized, although the overland vehicles sector now takes second place with % (in 6 and 7, this sector only accounted for % of the quantities seized), followed by the air traffic sector ( %), the mail and express courier sector (3 %) and, for the sake of completeness, the train and pedestrian traffic sectors. The dominance of the port sector (vessels, "go-fast" vessels, interception on the high seas or in containers, etc.) in terms of the quantity of products seized can mainly be explained by the fact that higher loading capacity in this sector. Out of a total of findings listed in 8 involving the port sector, 6 involved quantities in excess of kg, while involved quantities in excess of kg. Finally, out of a total of 9 seizures entailing over one tonne (regardless of sector), 7 were made in the port sector. Cannabis Cannabis remains one of the most available and widely abused drugs. The drug is cultivated in most countries of the world, since it does not require a high degree of technical expertise nor elaborate processes. The growing levels of indoor and hydroponics cultivation in most parts of the world are causing concern among law enforcement agencies. During 8, 3,79 interceptions of herbal cannabis and cannabis resin were reported totalling 3 tonnes, which is tonnes less than in 7. The number of cannabis seizures reported worldwide rose significantly as the graphic below shows. Cannabis resin Seizures worldwide Cocaine Number of seizures by means of transport Means of transport Air,99 3,,987 Mail,9,39,8 Vehicle Train 6 38 Vessel 3 3 Unknown 6 3 Pedestrian Other 6 Total 6,973 6,6,836 Cocaine Quantity (kg) seized by means of transport Means of transport Vessel 33,,6 3, Vehicle,3,9,37 Air 6,33,33 7,736 Mail,63,,687 Unknown 6 6, Other 6 8, Train 3 Pedestrian 8 Total 7,7 6,8, Quantity (Kg), 6 7 8,96 No. of seizures,6,89 333,98 7,63 38, 36, WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8

14 Global overview of major drug types Netherlands Customs detected,77 kg of cannabis resin in a secret compartment in a Mercedes Benz lorry. The used vehicle had been declared at importation from Dakar, Senegal. (Photos courtesy of Netherlands Customs) Cannabis resin The volume of cannabis resin decreased by almost 6 tonnes compared to the 38 tonnes detected in 7. An examination of seizures above tonne shows that cannabis resin continued to be transported in large consignments. The number of detections remained the same in 7 and 8, amounting to 97 cases, while the quantity decreased by 38 tonnes to 38 tonnes in 8. Western Europe is the world's largest market for cannabis resin. Moroccan cannabis resin remains the largest source and trafficking patterns in Western Europe remain the same as in previous years. The majority of the resin is being moved to Spain and then overland to France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. The second major source area of cannabis resin is Pakistan from where almost 3 tonnes had originated in 8, which is 3 tonnes more than in 7. Of the seizures originating in Pakistan, were made in Pakistan at export controls. Unfortunately, the intended destinations of these seizures were not known. Vietnamese Customs detected 8.8 tonnes of cannabis resin in a road freight consignment. The consignment was meant to depart from China by ship, with Canada being the final destination country. German Customs at Hamburg seaport detected tonnes of Pakistani resin in a consignment of textiles. The jeans were destined for the Ukrainian market. Re-distribution of Moroccan resin takes place from the Netherlands, which is shown as the source of 8 seizures totalling over 7 tonnes. Mail consignments originating in South Africa increased significantly in numbers but only a total of 7 kg were seized. The seizures were all detected in the United Kingdom. A total of 96 % of the quantities were either transported by ship (ferries from Morocco) or in vehicles (lorries and cars). Herbal cannabis The total quantity of herbal cannabis seized in 8 reached new heights when looking a t t h e a m o u n t s s e i z e d s i n c e, amounting to tonnes. Ghana was the main source country for the h e r b a l c a n n a b i s s e i z e d w o r l d w i d e amounting to tonnes in 8 incidents. This is a huge increase compared to 7 when only tonnes had departed Ghana. The 8 figure is however affected by a seizure of 9 tonnes detected by Dutch Customs. The cannabis was concealed in sea freight consignment of cashew nuts. Ghanaian Customs detected another huge freight consignment in foodstuff and a total of 7 tonnes of herbal cannabis were detected in Asikuma. There is no information about the final destination of the shipment. A total amount of 8.6 tonnes of Ghanaian cannabis were bound for Burkina Faso. Most seizures were made at the Nako land border between Ghana and Burkina Faso and the drugs were detected in the luggage of the couriers. Paraguay is another source country for herbal cannabis in the South American region. Most of the Paraguayan drugs were detected internally. The main destination country is Argentina, followed by Brazil and Herbal cannabis Seizures worldwide Quantity (Kg), 6 7 8,96 No. of seizures,,997,98 6,6 7,96,373 Chile. As Paraguay is one of the largest producers of herbal cannabis, it is believed that Paraguayan herbal shipments may also be targeting other regions in the world such as Europe. South Africa is the main source country, accounting for tonnes. A total of 96 % of these shipments were detected in the United Kingdom and the majority of these cases were detected in mail consignments weighing between and 3 kg. One huge seizure amounting to.6 tonnes of herbal cannabis was detected in an air freight con WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8 3

15 Global overview of major drug types signment at a London airport. A few mail parcels were destined for Ireland, Hong Kong China, Japan and Canada. Almost % of the quantities were detected in freight consignments, which is almost double the amount detected in 7. Almost 3 % of the herbal cannabis detected was transported by ship, followed by detections made in vehicles and in the air sector. Cannabis oil Only seizures of cannabis oil, amounting to kg, were reported in 8. Psychotropic substances Psychotropic substances in particular were reported in various units such as capsules, ampoules, tablets, doses, etc. These units have been considered as tablets, and all amounts were converted into kilograms by using the conversion rate of one unit to onethird of a gram, thus allowing comparisons to be made between seizures. Amphetamines The Middle East, and especially Saudi Arabia, is still the main market for seizures of counterfeit Captagon tablets. Since these tablets contain amphetamines, seizures of Captagon have been reported as amphetamine seizures in the Middle East region. The total quantity of amphetamines seized in 8 was almost 3 tonnes, a decrease of almost. tonnes in comparison with 7. Almost 73 % of the amount seized was reported by Middle East region followed by 9 % from Western Europe and 7 % from the Asia and the Pacific region. The most common source countries for amphetamines seized in Western Europe are the Netherlands (3 % of the quantity) and France (3 %). Bulgaria is the main source for seizures made in the Eastern and Central European region amounting to kg of the 9 kg seized in 8. India is the main source for amphetamine seizures made in the Asia and the Pacific region amounting to 93 % of the quantities seized. Syria and Jordan are the one main sources for seizures made in the Middle Eastern region. Amphetamines departing the Netherlands are mainly detected in the United Kingdom and Belgium, while Lithuanian amphetamines are mainly detected in Sweden, Norway and Germany. Australia detected 8 kg of amphetamines originating from Lithuania. MDMA (ecstasy) The volume of MDMA (ecstasy) almost vanished in 8 as only 68 kg in 8 incidents were detected by Customs worldwide. The huge quantity reported in 7 is affected of a huge seizure of. tonnes of ecstasy detected in the world's largest ecstasy seizure made in Australia. The sea freight consignment had originated from Italy and the drugs were detected in tins of tomato. The reason for the decrease is firstly that ecstasy production is more and more taking place in other regions, which means that the drug does not have to cross any borders MDMA (ecstasy) - Seizures worldwide 6 3 Quantity (Kg) ,,97,9 No. of seizures with the risk being detected by Customs. Another reason for the decrease is the lack of exceptionally large seizures during 8. Members of the Asia and the Pacific region reported 3 cases amounting to 9 kg, followed by 6 cases totalling 63 kg from Western Europe, cases totalling 63 kg from Eastern and Central Europe, 7 cases totalling 9 k g f r o m t h e C o m m o n w e a l t h o f Independent States and seizure totalling. kg were reported by the Caribbean region. The Netherlands (6 kg) and Canada ( kg) are the main source countries for 7 % of the ecstasy seizures made all over the world. A total of 67 kg or 36 % of the weight seized worldwide were destined for Australia, followed by 6 kg to Turkey, kg to the United Kingdom, kg to Japan and 9 kg to the Russian Federation. The Russian Federation detected almost 7 kg of ecstasy in a car, which had arrived from the Netherlands. The Russian Federation and Switzerland were increasingly targeted in 8. Japan Customs detected 7 of the seizures made in air traffic, which means that air is increasingly being used for trafficking ecstasy. Germany and the Netherlands were the main departure countries. Ecstasy shipments originating from Central and South America increased significantly as the table shows. French Customs detected.6 kg of ecstasy in the luggage of a courier, who had arrived from Mexico. Two seizures amounting to.6 kg originated in Brazil. Swedish Customs detected a seizure of. kg in the effects carried in the suitcase of a courier arriving from Brazil. Dutch Customs detected almost 3 kg in a mail consignment from Suriname. Canada was in 7 the source country for kg of ecstasy, while this decreased to only kg in 8. Although the number of seizures fell from only to, it is still recommended to consider Canada as being an important source country for ecstasy and other psychotropic substances. WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8

16 Global overview of major drug types Ecstasy shipments from Central and South America No. of Quantity seizures (Kg) Mexico.6 Brazil.6 Chile.3. Guadeloupe 3.8 Suriname.9 Methamphetamines There were detections of methamphetamines reported in 8, totalling,78 kg. Methamphetamine continue mainly to be a problem in the Asia Pacific region, as almost 97 % of the weight were detected here. Philippines Customs detected the largest methamphetamine made in 8 in a warehouse. The sea freight shipment had originated in chinese Taipai and a total of 66 kg were detected. More than 7 % of the quantities seized were detected in the maritime sector, while % were detected in road traffic. A total of 8 seizures amounting to kg originated from Lao People's Democratic Republic. All these seizures were detected by Thai Customs and mostly the couriers arrived by vehicle or by foot, while the drugs Methamphetamine seized worldwide Indonesian Customs detected methamphetamine inside water filters. The drugs are clearly visible on the X-ray image. (Photos courtesy of Indonesian Customs) were concealed in the luggage or concealed on the person of the couriers. It is recommended that other neighbouring countries consider Lao People's Democratic Republics as being a high risk for methamphetamine smuggling. Lithuania is another source country for methamphetamine seizures, mainly made in the Russian Federation and Sweden. Canada was one of the main source countries for methamphetamine shipments in 7 when kg of drugs originated from there. Although, the figure dropped to only 7 kg in 8, it is still strongly recommended to continue considering Canada as being an important source country. Ketamine Ketamine is currently not under international control, but some countries have placed it on the list of substances controlled under their national legislation. Detections of ketamine seem mainly to be an increasing problem in the Asia and the Pacific region, as all incidents except one were detected by Members in that region. The volume of ketamine seized rose significantly to 66 kg compared to 6 and 7. Hong Kong, china Customs detected 37 kg of ketamine in an air freight consignment, which had arrived from Singapore. Eighteen seizures were reported by Hong Kong Customs totalling almost 33 kg. Ketamine seizures worldwide Quantity (Kg) No. of seizures 7 6 No. of seizures Quantity (Kg) Rilo Region Asia and the Pacific ,73. CIS Region Eastern and Central Europe Eastern and Southern Africa Middle East.. 3. North America 3..3 Western Europe Grand Total , WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8

17 Global overview of major drug types Australian law enforcement agencies detected 3, litres of Gamma Butyrolactone (GBL), known as the date rape drug Fantasy. (Photos courtesy of Australian Customs) The Russian Federation made another huge seizure amounting to 6 kg in the boot of a car arriving from Finland. Khat The number of seizures fell dramatically from 88 incidents in 7 to only 9 cases in 8, while the quantity seized continued to increase from 6 tonnes in 7 to tonnes in 8. A total of 99 % of the number of seizures and quantity seized were reported by Members in the Western Europe region. The trafficking pattern remains almost unchanged from previous years. Although the drug is cultivated and produced principally in East Africa, almost all the smuggling is carried out from the Netherlands and, to a lesser extend from the United Kingdom. In both of these countries khat is not a prohibited drug and therefore it is quite legally imported in bulk from where it is grown. Scandinavia is the main market for khat consignment as Denmark, Norway and Sweden accounts for 8 % of the weight. Almost tonnes of khat was destined for the Finnish market. Almost 3 tonnes of khat were destined to Denmark. From here second distribution takes place to Norway and Sweden. Vehicles transported more than tonnes of khat, while almost. tonnes were detected in air traffic. Seizures made in air traffic m a i n l y o r i g i n a t e d f ro m t h e U n i t e d Kingdom, with Norway and Finland being the final destination countries. Khat seizures destined for the United States and Canada were seized at Brussels Airport in Belgium. The volume of dried khat continued to increase and it amounted to.6 tonnes in incidents. Other substances GBL (Gamma Butyrolactone) is both a precursor and a substitute for the drug GHB (Gamma Hydoxybutyrate). GBL can be synthesized from GHB by removal of water or by distillation from such a mixture. GHB can be used as an intoxicant and is commonly known for its application as a date rape drug. GBL is in many countries not a controlled substance. The number of seizures increased significantly as the table shows. The figures in the table are affected by a h u g e s e i z u re m a d e i n J u l y 8 b y Australian Police and Customs authorities. Customs officers in Sydney intercepted a consignment described as metal cleaning solvent which had been shipped without the required import permit. A total of 3, litres of GBL were detected, which is also know as the date rape drug "Fantasy". The effects of "Fantasy" vary according to the purity and the amount taken, but include euphoria, dizziness, relaxation and loss of inhibition. Side effects also include vomiting, coma, disorientation and impairment of movement and speech. New Zealand detected 837 litres of GBH / GBL in 9 incidents. This is a huge increase compare with litres seized in 7 incidents during 7. Finland reported 6 seizures to the CEN database amounting to 7 litres of GBL / GHB. Minor quantities of drugs are mainly transported by mail or express carrier com- GBL / GHB seizures worldwide panies. drugs. Mostly the drugs had departed either the Netherlands or the United Kingdom. A seizure of 38 kg was detected at Helsinki seaport and the drugs were detected in a car, which had arrived by ferry from Estonia. It's believed that there will be an increase in the volume of GBL and GHB in the coming years, as several countries are looking into the option to classify the substance as a drug as this is a health-endangering substance. Description No. of seizures Quantity (Litres/Kg) GBL Gamma Butyrolactone ,37.3 GHB Gamma Hydroxybutyrate Grand Total ,6.7 6 WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8

18 Regional overviews Europe REGIONAL OVERVIEWS EUROPE Exemplary co-operation between various units belonging to Israeli Customs, Israeli Police, INTERPOL and European Customs and Police authorities led to a seizure of, kg of cocaine. The cocaine was intercepted from three different shipments in three different countries, one of which was Israel. Identical smuggling methods had been employed. An international network used a professional welder to conceal cocaine in a most ingenious manner. The cocaine was smuggled in industrial metal cutting machines shipped in containers originating in Peru and bound for several destinations throughout the world. The unique feature of this smuggling was the use of lead sheets used to cover the drugs inside the machines. This was skilfully done in order to prevent the drugs being detected by X-ray scanners. Outstanding co-operation resulted in seizures in Barcelona, the Bahamas and Peru, whilst several individuals were arrested in Israel and other countries. Overviews Europe reported,7 seizures in 8, compared with,86 the previous year, equating to a 6 % increase. seizures, due to the high number of countries assigned to them and the large amount of detections made. WESTERN EUROPE Five Western European countries (Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands and France, in descending order) are alone responsible for 83 % of the total number of seizures input into the CEN database for that region (8,3 / 9,8) and some 88 % of the total quantity of drugs s e i z e d, r e g a rd l e s s o f p ro d u c t t y p e (37,7 kg /,8 kg). Cocaine The number of cocaine seizures made in 8 decreased substantially, falling from,77 cases to,9 cases (- %). The volume of cocaine seized also declined considerably, from just under tonnes in 7 to a little over 36 tonnes in 8), namely a 3 % decrease. This decrease can be explained principally by the fact that Spain, despite remaining the most effective country by far in this domain, showed a fall in cocaine seizures of over tonnes compared with 7. The Netherlands also noted a fall in cocaine seizures of approximately four tonnes, from just over seven tonnes seized in 7 to less than three tonnes in 8. In contrast, other Western European countries have recorded substantial increases in the quantities intercepted. These countries are Portugal (rising from kg to 3,39 kg), Belgium (rising Cocaine More than kg seized Country Quantity (Kg) Spain,3 Portugal 3,39 Netherlands,96 Belgium,79 United Kingdom,88 France,6 Italy,399 Germany 7 Switzerland 6 Israel Norway 7 Ireland 6 Austria 9 Malta 8 Denmark 6 Cocaine : Main destination countries in Western Europe Country Quantity (Kg) Spain,3 Netherlands 3,377 Portugal,987 United Kingdom,386 Belgium,3 Italy,93 France,9 Germany 89 Switzerland 9 Israel 36 Ireland 8 Norway 6 Austria Malta Sweden Denmark 3 However, this trend has been reversed in quantitative terms, with a decline from 67,36 kg, regardless of product type, in 7 to only 6,6 kg in 8. This equates to a 9 % decrease. The three Europe region RILOs have been considered separately when reviewing No. of seizures / quantity seized / RILO No. of seizures Quantity (Kg) CIS ,66,8 6,86 ECE 7,98 6,87 6,9 WE 8,88 9,3 9,8 87,79,7,8 WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8 7

19 Regional overviews Europe Belgian divers detected a torpedo attached to the sea chest of a bulk carrier, under the waterline. The vessel had arrived from Callao in Peru. A total of 3 kg of cocaine was discovered. (Photo courtesy of Belgian Customs) from,89 kg to,79 kg), the United Kingdom (rising from, kg to,88 kg) and France (rising from,83 kg to,6 kg). A closer look at four outstanding cocaine seizures made in 8, involving quantities in excess of two tonnes, reveals that they were made by Spanish Customs on board vessels intercepted on the open seas or just off the coast. They involved,8 tonnes seized from a commercial vessel coming from Venezuela, 3,87 tonnes seized on board a fishing boat coming from Colombia,,887 tonnes seized on board a speed boat whose port of departure was unknown, and, tonnes seized from a fishing boat coming from Venezuela. Five countries of departure for cocaine shipments in excess of one tonne bound for Europe appear in the CEN. Venezuela takes the top spot with a little over 8. tonnes in 8, ahead of Colombia with just over 6.7 tonnes, Ecuador with.7 tonnes, Brazil with. tonnes and Argentina with a fraction over a tonne. The trend noted in 7, following Spanish Customs officers' seizure of some 6. tonnes of cocaine consigned in Morocco, was not confirmed in 8, given that the year's results for seizures of cocaine consigned in that country are limited to 3 findings totalling 3 kg. The trend noted between and 7, shaking up the traditional delivery routes for cocaine to some extent and showing that the West and Central Africa region was increasingly being used by traffickers as a storage and transit hub for cocaine from South America, with Europe as its final destination, was borne out in 8, even though the quantities seized and the number of cases noted decreased, as confirmed by the analysis in the relevant chapter (Regional overviews - Africa). In keeping with the 7 findings, Spain, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Italy, Portugal and France remain the main European destination countries for cocaine shipments. In 8, 6 % of the number of detections were made in the airport sector, followed by the mail and express courier sector (3 %), whereas in quantitative terms, 69 % of the total volume was seized on board boats or vessels alongside the quay or on the open seas, concealed in freight or in the vessel's structure. Opiates Heroin The number of heroin seizures increased slightly, rising from 37 cases listed in 7 to 8 in 8. This trend was mirrored in quantitative terms, as,93 kg were seized in 7 as opposed to,3 kg in 8. The countries taking the honours in 8 are the United Kingdom (,9 kg), substantially ahead of France (79 kg), Italy (8 kg) and Germany (7 kg). 8's two largest seizures were made, respectively, by United Kingdom Customs officers at Immingham port, in a lorry coming from the Netherlands ( kg of heroin hidden in the spare wheels), and by French Customs at Calais port, in a bus coming from the Netherlands and bound for the United Kingdom (89 kg of heroin in the luggage compartment). The Netherlands (9 kg), Turkey (33 kg), Belgium (33 kg) and Pakistan ( kg) are the main departure or secondary distribution countries for heroin shipments bound for Western Europe. Without wishing to overlook the smaller quantities, Albania (9 kg), Bulgaria (6 kg) and Saudi Arabia (6 kg) also appear as departure countries for this category of drug. The United Kingdom, Italy, France, Germany and Norway, in descending order, were the main countries of destination for quantities between kg and over one tonne. Opium The number of opium seizures saw a pronounced rise, from 8 cases in 7 to 8 in 8. The quantities seized tripled between 7 and 8, increasing from 8 kg to 8 kg. The following countries stood out in particular in 8 : Sweden with kg of opium seized, followed by the United Kingdom (8 kg), France (9 kg) and Germany (8 kg). The biggest seizure was made by Swedish Customs officers. It involved an interception made during a house search in Stockholm on April 8, at which kg was seized. The places of origin and consignment of the products could not be determined. Opium seizures reported by Western European countries remain of minor importance compared with heroin seizures, and this trend is mirrored worldwide. 8 WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8

20 Regional overviews Europe Cannabis Cannabis resin The number of cannabis resin seizures made in 8 rose significantly compared with 7 (+ %). Yet from a quantitative perspective, a significant drop in the order of 63 tonnes can be noted. This can easily be explained by that fact that Belgian Customs seized an exceptional quantity of tonnes in 7, whereas in 8 the total quantity seized was under half a tonne. By way of reminder, in 7, out of ten maritime containers supposedly housing scrap metal arriving from Morocco, selected by Belgian Customs at Antwerp port, six contained a total of tonnes of cannabis resin. What is more, in 7, a further tonnes of cannabis resin were detected by the same Customs officers in six forty-foot containers filled with olives and lemons. Cannabis resin / no. of seizures / quantity seized Quantity (Kg) No. of seizures,63,37 8,39 36, 63, For their part, in 8 Spanish Customs officers, who unquestionably remain the most effective in terms of cannabis resin seizures (7 % of the total quantity seized in Western Europe), recorded 3 fewer tonnes than in 7. It is nevertheless worth stressing that in 8, several countries reported cannabis resin seizures which were significantly up on those for 7, namely the United Kingdom (9.8 tonnes in 7 compared with.668 in 8), France (.7 tonnes in 7 compared with. in 8), Germany (.8 tonnes in 7 compared with.6 in 8) and Ireland (. tonnes in 7 compared with 3. in 8). Without a doubt, Morocco continues to be the main source country for cannabis resin seized in Western Europe, and indeed the rest of the world. Cannabis resin transported from Morocco to Spain is mainly concealed in lorries, coaches or else private vehicles taking ferries or small fast-moving boats. The cannabis resin is then transported on to France, the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom and Italy. A few seizures were made in sea freight consignments arriving directly from Morocco and bound for European countries. Spain, the Netherlands as well as France are not only secondary distribution countries, but also consumer countries. Pakistan once again appeared as a departure country in 8, with over four tonnes of cannabis resin coming from this country, whereas it was only responsible for. tonnes in 7. The two largest seizures made in Western Europe in 8 are attributable to United Kingdom Customs in the first case, which intercepted tonnes of cannabis resin consigned in Morocco on board a commercial vessel inspected in Southampton port, and to Spanish Customs officers in the second case, who intercepted 7.7 tonnes of cannabis resin consigned in Morocco on a vessel on the open seas. Cannabis resin seized Country Quantity (Kg) Spain 9,783 United Kingdom 9,668 France, Netherlands 8,96 Germany,63 Italy,9 Ireland 3,3 Belgium Sweden 377 Norway 3 Switzerland 38 Denmark 8 Cannabis resin : Main destination countries in Western Europe Country Quantity (Kg) Spain,9 United Kingdom 33, Netherlands,3 France,99 Italy 7,7 Belgium 3,88 Ireland 3,7 Germany,88 Sweden Denmark 3 Norway 33 Switzerland 8 Herbal cannabis The volume of herbal cannabis intercepted in the "Western Europe" region increased substantially from 33. tonnes in 7 to tonnes in 8, a rise of over 6 %. This increase is even more striking in terms of the number of seizures made, given that they went from 7 cases recorded in the CEN in 7 to,9 in 8. The very substantial increase in this category of drug is especially due to the outstanding results achieved by United Kingdom Customs officers who tripled their seizures from in 7 to,9 in 8, WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8 9

21 Regional overviews Europe for a total of quantity of. tonnes in 8 as opposed to only 3. tonnes in 7. Netherlands Customs officers were also extremely productive in this sector, particularly in terms of the quantity of products seized (over 9 tonnes in 8 compared with. tonnes seized in 7). Much of this success was also down to German Customs officers, as they made 63 seizures in 8 involving a total quantity of 6. tonnes of herbal cannabis. The most significant seizure recorded in 8 is attributable to Customs officers in Amsterdam port, who discovered 9 tonnes of herbal cannabis concealed in a consignment of peanuts coming from Ghana. It is also worth pointing out two other outstanding seizures. The first involved an interception of. tonnes of herbal cannabis made by German Customs officers at Hamburg seaport. The herbal cannabis from Ghana was concealed in a shipment of pineapples. The second seizure involved 3.8 tonnes of herbal cannabis seized by Belgian Customs at Antwerp port. The drugs were contained within a shipment of pineapples from Ghana, bound for the Netherlands. In 8, 3 % (9 tonnes) of the total quantity of herbal cannabis intercepted in Western Europe came from Ghana, and this is most probably a new trend that Customs officers must take into consideration when conducting targeting operations (particularly in the sea freight domain). South Africa also remains one of the main source countries for herbal cannabis bound for Western Europe. Out of a total of,9 cases listed in the CEN in 8, 93 referred to that country. Over tonnes of the herbal cannabis seized in Western Europe in 8 were consigned in South Africa. It is especially worth pointing out that approximately 7 % of the herbal cannabis intercepted by United Kingdom Customs officers came from South Africa. Additionally, out of a total of 89 seizures of drugs consigned in South Africa, 78 were made in the postal sector. Almost 6 % of the total quantity of herbal cannabis seized in Western Europe was detected in the sea freight sector, followed by % in the air traffic (freight and passengers) sector, 9 % in the postal and express courier sector and 8 % in the road vehicles sector. The results are completely different when it comes to the number of seizures made, as the mail sector (6 % of the total seizures) greatly overshadows the airport sector ( %), the road sector ( %) and, in particular, the port sector ( %). Psychotropic drugs MDMA (ecstasy) The number of ecstasy seizures made in 8 was substantially lower ( % less) than in 7. The quantitative reduction is even greater, declining from, kg in 7 to only 63 kg in 8. One of the main reasons for this sharp fall is the fact that in 8, the biggest seizure reported in the CEN only involved kg of products, whereas in 7 Western European Customs services made a minimum of three seizures each involving quantities in excess of kg. It is also worth pointing out that ecstasy is increasingly being produced in the consumer countries, thus lessening the risk of it being intercepted at border crossings. The largest seizure recorded in 8 is attributable to British Customs officers in Harwich port, who discovered.38 kg of ecstasy on board a lorry arriving from the Netherlands. For the first time, Mexico appears in the CEN database as a source country for a consignment of.6 kg of ecstasy intercepted by French Customs officers at Roissy Charles De Gaulle airport (Paris). Although the quantity of ecstasy seized in Western Europe during 8 is of little significance, the main source country for ecstasy trafficking in the region remains the Netherlands (9.3 kg out of a total of 63.8 kg), well ahead of Germany (6 kg), Mexico ( kg), Lithuania (8 kg) and Denmark (8 kg). The main destination countries, in descending order of quantities of products seized, are : the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, Norway and Poland. Amphetamines The number of seizures relating to amphetamines increased slightly, rising from 38 cases recorded in 7 to cases in 8. The opposite trend was noted from a quantitative perspective, with a decline from,687 kg seized in 7 to,7 kg in 8. In terms of the number of seizures made in 8, the top five countries were the same as 7, with Germany way out in the lead with 6 cases recorded, followed by the United Kingdom ( cases), Norway ( cases), Sweden ( cases) and France (7 cases). Turning to the quantities of products seized, the United Kingdom continues to hold the top spot with over. tonnes (more or less the same quantity as in 7), followed by Norway (7 kg), Belgium ( kg), Germany ( kg) and Sweden ( kg). British Customs officers made the largest seizure in 8 (as was the case in 7) at Dover seaport, intercepting 7 kg of amphetamines in the form of white powder hidden in a lorry-trailer combination coming from France. Road vehicles remain the main means of transport for amphetamine smuggling, since 89 % of the products seized in 8 were detected in road vehicles (mainly lorries). WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8

22 Regional overviews Europe Norwegian Customs detected 6 kg of amphetamines in the roof of a small lorry registered in Switzerland. (Photos courtesy of Norwegian Customs) As for the departure countries for amphetamine shipments, the United Kingdom (which is also the main destination country for these products) takes the lead by far with,67 kg of amphetamines consigned in that country, ahead of France (783 kg - it is worth noting that France did not appear as a departure country in 7), Belgium (66 kg) and Lithuania ( kg). Methamphetamines 8 methamphetamine seizures in Western Europe remain incidental. In actual fact, only interceptions involving a total of some forty kilograms were entered into the CEN for the period under consideration. The five countries having made these seizures are Sweden (.9 kg), Ireland (6. kg) and the United Kingdom (6 kg) (these were the first methamphetamine seizures for five years in these last two countries), Germany (. kg) and Italy (. kg). The two largest seizures were made by Swedish Customs offices at Stockholm Frihamnen seaport. They related respectively to kg and kg of metamphetamines arriving from Lithuania, in transit to Norway. Both sets of drugs were seized from delivery vans. In the first instance the drugs were concealed in an attaché case, and in the second in a gas oil tank comprising a specially contrived hiding place. Other drugs Khat The number of khat seizures made in 8 decreased substantially compared with 7 (approximately - %), however in quantitative terms there was a significant rise in the region of tonnes (8 tonnes intercepted in 8, compared with 33 tonnes in 7). Germany, with tonnes of khat seized in 8 during interceptions, is responsible for % of the total quantity of khat seized in Western Europe during 8. In terms of volume, Sweden with eight tonnes, Norway with seven tonnes and Khat Countries having seized more than kg Denmark with over five tonnes take the honours as the countries having seized the largest quantities of this category of drug. In keeping with what has been noted since, the main source countries in 8 are the Netherlands, followed by Denmark, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Khat is imported legally into the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, from where secondary distribution takes place. Sizeable quantities transit Germany and Denmark, mainly bound for Sweden and Norway. It is worth stressing that in 8, seven seizures involving quantities of khat in excess of one tonne were input into the CEN. These are all the work of German Customs officers. These seven seizures were made in northern Germany, very close to the Danish border. The drugs were seized from delivery vans coming from the Netherlands, with Denmark as their final destination. Countries Germany,779 6,87,, Norway,,83 8,6 8,9 Sweden,6 3,979 6,7 8,97 Denmark 83,,9, Belgium 9,9,7,7,789 Finland,966,,3,3 France,7,993, Switzerland 8, 7 Italy 9, WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8

23 Regional overviews Europe EASTERN AND CENTRAL EUROPE (ECE) The Eastern and Central Europe region reported 7 seizures in 8, regardless of drug type, as against in 7. The quantities of drugs seized also remained Opiates : No. of seizures stable, with a total of 6,9 kg in 8, as against 6,87 kg in 7. Opiates As was the case in 6 and 7, in 8 opiate products accounted for over % of the total seizures in this region and in excess Countries Albania Bulgaria 9 3 Estonia 3 Greece 3 Croatia 6 Hungary 8 Latvia Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Poland 8 6 Romania 3 Serbia 8 Slovenia Slovakia 3 3 Turkey Ukraine Grand total Opiates : Quantity seized (Kg) Countries Turkey,6,97 3, Bulgaria,68, Romania 8 6 Greece 83 8 Slovenia 9 8 Croatia Ukraine 6 7 Serbia 6 67 Poland Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 7 Hungary 7 7 Latvia Albania 6 Estonia Slovakia Grand total 3,9,89,999 of 7 % of the total quantity of drugs seized (irrespective of drug type). The two tables show the number of interceptions and the quantities of opiates seized by each RILO ECE Member country over the period 6-8. Heroin accounts for 9 % of seizures of opiate products, with the remaining 8 % involving opium poppy straw ( cases), opium ( cases) and morphine ( case). Heroin The chart shows that the number of seizures made over the period 6-8 has remained stable, whereas the quantity of heroin intercepted in the region increased very substantially between 6 and 7, with a further increase of over % in 8. This increase is the result of significant seizures in 8. As it happens, seizures involving quantities in excess of kg were listed in the database. Turkey and Bulgaria (,3 kg out of a total of,999 kg) account between them for over 83 % of the total quantity of heroin seized in the region. Heroin seized in the ECE region 3 Quantity (Kg) No. of seizures 9 9 9,698,87,8 8 6 WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8

24 Regional overviews Europe It is also worth stressing that Romania with 8 kg, Greece with 8 kg, Slovenia with kg and Croatia with 97 kg brought about a substantial increase in the quantities of heroin seized in 8, whilst the performance by Ukraine, Serbia and Poland is down slightly on the period 6-7. Hungarian Customs continued to perform well in terms of combating heroin trafficking, although its results were slightly poorer than in 7. At the beginning of January 8, Hungarian Customs officers seized 6 kg of heroin from a specially contrived hiding place within a lorry transporting a load of oranges from Turkey. Out of a total of 9 interceptions in 8, nine were made in trains. Apart from one interception of drugs found in the body of a train wagon, all the other seizures involving quantities of between. kg and kg of heroin were made during luggage checks. The drugs were mainly concealed in the luggage housing. All the other seizures were made from road vehicles. Delivery vans accounted for 6 % of the means of transport used, followed by lorries ( %), buses ( %) and passenger cars ( %). In more than 7 % of the seizures made from road vehicles, the drugs were concealed in specially contrived hiding places in the vehicle, in spare wheels or else in fuel tanks. It is worth noting that in keeping with the findings for 6 and 7, no heroin seizure was made in air traffic during 8. The situation is different when comparing the seizures made in Western Europe. As it happens, during 8 no less than 9 seizures involving a total quantity of 637 kg of heroin were made in Western Europe's main airports. The drugs were predominantly detected in false-bottomed suitcases in the passenger sector. Bulgarian Customs detected 93 kg of heroin inside a specially contrived hiding place in the roof of a Honda HRV vehicle. The Bulgarian courier had arrived from Turkey. (Photos courtesy of Bulgarian Customs) Air traffic should be considered an increasingly significant means of shipping heroin from Eastern and Central European countries to Western Europe. WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8 3

25 Regional overviews Europe Iran is the main source country for heroin seized in Eastern and Central Europe (,7 kg), ahead of Turkey (,37 kg), Bulgaria (98 kg) and Romania (7 kg). Opium Only three seizures involving opium were made in this region in 8. The largest is attributable to Turkish Customs officers, who intercepted 9 kg consigned in Iran. The other two seizures were made by Bulgarian Customs and related, respectively, to 6 kg and 3 kg of opium consigned in Iran and Turkey. All the seizures were made from road vehicles, as was the case for heroin. Opium poppy straw Four seizures of opium poppy straw totalling 3 kg were indicated by the RILO ECE countries in 8. Three seizures were reported by Turkish Customs and one by Polish Customs. Cocaine The very sizeable increase in the volume of cocaine seized within the region in 7 gave way to a slight fall in volume in 8, whereas the number of interceptions increased somewhat, as borne out by the chart opposite. This appreciable quantity recorded in 8 was heavily influenced by an exceptional seizure of 38 kg of cocaine, made by Slovenian Customs at Koper seaport. The cocaine was hidden in a shipment of machines consigned in Colombia, with Croatia as their final destination. Another outstanding seizure of 63 kg of liquid cocaine was made by Slovakian Customs in partnership with the Police. The drugs, which were discovered in a consignment of wine on board a train, came from Argentina and had transited Germany (Hamburg port) and the Czech Republic before being intercepted by Slovakian Customs in the town of Dunajska Streda. This is Slovakia's biggest ever cocaine haul. Four seizures were made in the maritime Cocaine seized in the region 8 6 Quantity (Kg) sector in 8, and this figure is consequently down slightly on the previous year. In contrast, the quantity of cocaine seized amounted to 38 kg, approximately 6 % of the total quantity, regardless of sector. These sea freight consignments of cocaine all originated in South America, namely Colombia and Ecuador. These cocaine shipments were bound, in descending order of importance, for Croatia, the Netherlands and Montenegro. Cannabis No. of seizures Herbal cannabis The number of herbal cannabis seizures made in Eastern and Central Europe in 8 remained relatively low. In fact, only interceptions amounting to 38 kg were input into the CEN for the period under review. Serbia was responsible for 8's largest seizure. 7 kg of herbal cannabis were discovered in a specially contrived hiding place within a consignment of fish in the load compartment of a lorry coming from Montenegro. The bulk of the herbal cannabis seizures were made in the overland vehicles sector Serbian Customs and Police detected 7 kg of herbal cannabis behind a false wall in the load compartment of a lorry laden with peaches, just having arrived from Podgorica in Montenegro. (Photos courtesy of Serbian Customs) WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8

26 Regional overviews Europe ( cases out of ), followed by the rail sector ( cases out of ). In terms of seizures made in trains, Ukrainian Customs made four interceptions involving herbal cannabis concealed in train compartments. The drugs were consigned in Moldova and were primarily bound for the Russian Federation. Cannabis resin Trafficking in cannabis resin is almost nonexistent in the region, with only one seizure involving this type of drug being reported in 8. This involved 38 kg of cannabis resin intercepted by Polish Customs from a specially contrived hiding place within a private vehicle, coming from Lithuania with the United Kingdom as its final destination. The number of shipments of hallucinogenic mushrooms from the Netherlands to Lithuania also increased. Five such seizures were made, three in post offices. An examination of shipments from the Netherlands to Lithuania revealed Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms (with spores and spawn) containing psilocybin. Substances of vegetable origin were sent in plastic boxes, the underlying layer of which was specially prepared for growing hallucinogenic mushrooms from spawn (Photos courtesy of Lithuanian Customs) Psychotropic drugs Amphetamines The volume of amphetamines intercepted in the Eastern and Central Europe region increased substantially, rising from kg in 7 to 9 kg in 8. The rise is also substantial in terms of the number of seizures : cases recorded in the CEN in 7, as against 3 in 8. seized from road vehicles at export, bound for Syria and Turkey. The majority of seizures by Polish Customs were made during house searches and essentially involved quantities of products ranging from to grams. Amphetamines seized in the region 3 3 Quantity (Kg) 8 No. of seizures Poland is responsible for over 77 % of the seizures made in 8. However, with regard to the total quantity of amphetamines seized, Bulgarian Customs holds the undisputed record with kg out of a total of 9 kg. This significant quantity was heavily influenced by two interceptions respectively involving 8 kg and 3 kg of amphetamines 3 9 WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8

27 Regional overviews Europe MDMA (ecstasy) Seizures of ecstasy in Eastern and Central Europe remained relatively low in 8. In fact, only five cases totalling 63 kg were input into the CEN during the period under review. The biggest ecstasy seizure amounting to 6 kg (over, tablets) was made by Bulgarian Customs at the Kalotina border crossing. The ecstasy was concealed in a specially contrived hiding place in the doors of a private vehicle. The load was consigned in the Netherlands and was transiting via Serbia. Turkish Customs offices were behind a seizure totalling.6 kg (over 8, tablets) of ecstasy intercepted in a postal sorting centre in Izmir. The drugs were contained in a parcel posted in the Netherlands. Khat Five seizures totalling kg of khat were reported in the CEN in 8 and this is a relatively new development for the region. Three of these seizures are attributable to Estonia, one to Poland and the last one to Greece. Most of these drugs were in transit, with Canada or a Western European country as their final destination. COMMONWEALTH OF INDEPENDENT STATES (CIS) The CIS reported seizures in 8, a slight improvement over 7 (9 cases). In terms of the quantity of drugs seized, regardless of type, the region saw a net increase from,8 kg in 7 to 6,86 kg in 8. In 8, the Russian Federation reported 6 cases involving a total of 3,6 kg, irres p e c t i v e o f d r u g t y p e, f o l l o w e d b y Uzbekistan (6 cases amounting to 97 kg), Kazakhstan (3 cases amounting to 99 kg), Tajikistan (3 cases amounting to 78 kg), Kyrgyzstan ( cases amounting to 67 kg), Azerbaijan ( cases amounting to 88 kg), Belarus (8 cases amounting to,6 kg), Armenia (3 cases amounting to 3 kg) and Georgia ( case amounting to 3 kg). The table below provides an overview of the main types of drugs seized in the CIS region over the period 6-8. Opiates Heroin Approximately % of the seizures reported in the CIS region involve heroin, a similar finding to 7. In quantitative terms, heroin accounts for 3 % of drug seizures, irrespective of category. Kazakhstan (63 kg) and the Russian In March 8, Russian Customs at the Petukhovo border crossing discovered a total of 333 kg of heroin. The drugs were concealed in the body (false floor) of a lorry having arrived from Tashkent in Uzbekistan. (Photos courtesy of Russian Customs). Federation (7 kg) detected,77 kg of heroin between them, some 73 % of the total volume seized. Uzbekistan (73 kg), Kyrgyzstan ( kg), Tajikistan (68 kg) and Azerbaijan (6 kg) complete the table of countries having made heroin seizures in 8. CIS region Main types of drug seized - No. of seizures / Quantity (Kg) No. of seizures Quantity (Kg) Heroin 3 8 8,6,,66 Morphine 6,36 Opium Cocaine 3 Cannabis resin Herbal cannabis ,7,3,68 The following table lists exceptional seizures of heroin made in the CIS region in 8 involving volumes of at least kg. Further details may be obtained by consulting the Customs Enforcement Network (CEN) database using the CEN ID number indicated in the first column of the table. In terms of the volume of heroin seized in the region, road vehicles remain the conveyance of choice given that out of a total of,6 kg of products seized in the region, 6 WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8

28 Regional overviews Europe,68 kg were detected in lorries (in the load or the vehicle body), delivery vans or private vehicles. The air traffic sector nevertheless still holds the top spot among means of transport in terms of the number of seizures made in this region, with a total of interceptions (out of a total of 8, irrespective of sector) amounting to an overall quantity of 9 kg. Most of the seizures were made in the passengers sector, and approximately % from individuals having swallowed these products. This trend had already been noted in 7. The rail sector is also highly prized for heroin trafficking in the CIS region (steadily increasing since 6). 36 seizures were made on board trains in 8, yielding 3 kg of heroin. The Russian Federation was responsible for the majority of these seizures, with Uzbekistan as the main country of consignment. Opium The volume of opium seized in the CIS region increased considerably in 8, rising from 7 kg in 7 to 3 kg in 8. The number of seizures for 8 was down slightly : cases recorded in the CEN in 7, compared with in 8. With reported seizures amounting to over 8 kg of opium, Uzbekistan remains the most effective country in this domain. Opium is transported directly from Afghanistan to Uzbekistan using couriers crossing the border on foot. The opium is concealed in luggage or on the body. The Russian Federation (98 kg), Azerbaijan (6 kg) and Kyrgyzstan ( kg) also reported seizures which showed a marked improvement on 7. Cocaine The number of cocaine seizures fell slightly in 8, some as against in 7, equating to the same number of cases as in 6. In contrast, the volume of cocaine intercepted (3 kg) remains high and is very similar to the 7 results. The entirety of these seizures is attributable to Russian Customs. All the seizures were made in the maritime sector, with St. Petersburg Customs behind 8 % of them. As in 7, the source countries for the cocaine intercepted are located solely in South America (especially Ecuador and Chile). The two biggest seizures were made in November 8 by Customs officers in St. Petersburg, on board two vessels having set sail from Ecuador. The goods had transited via South Africa in the first case ( kg), and gone through Estonia in the second case ( kg). There is reason to believe that cocaine trafficking by sea from South America is a trend that looks set to continue or even develop. Cocaine seized in the CIS region Quantity (Kg) No. of seizures Exceptional huge heroin seizures made in the CIS region during 8 CEN ID Date Place Route Means of Quantity Concealment (Country) transportation (Kg) 9 7/3/8 Kostanai (KZ) UZ-KZ-RU Truck/Lorry (land boundary) 37 In freight 93 9/3/8 Peturkovo (RU) UZ-RU Truck/Lorry (land boundary) 333 Double floor 373 8//8 Tashkent (UZ) UZ-RU Unknown (Internal) 9 Unknown 96 9/6/8 Aqtara (AZ) IR-AZ-KZ Truck/Lorry (land boundary) In structure of lorry 3777 //8 Dushanbe (TJ) TJ-TR Air 9 In baggage 9 8//8 Osh (KG) KG-RU Air In baggage 68 /8/8 Ekaterinburg (RU) TJ-RU Train 3 Unknown 3 //8 Petropavlvosk (KZ) KZ-RU Vehicle (land boundary) In fuel tank of lorry 933 /3/8 Manas (KG) TJ-KG-KZ Air In baggage WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8 7

29 Regional overviews Europe Cannabis Cannabis resin The number of seizures involving cannabis resin rose substantially from only seizures in 7 to 33 in 8, whilst the quantities intercepted quadrupled from 6 kg to 6 kg. The Russian Federation (39 kg) was responsible for over % of the quantities intercepted, well ahead of Azerbaijan (6 kg), Kyrgyzstan (9 kg) and Kazakhstan (6 kg). Most of the cannabis resin detected was in road traffic or on board trains. Iran remains the main source country for cannabis resin, surpassing Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan by far. Herbal cannabis The level of herbal cannabis seizures remained relatively stable, with a slight fall in the total number (8 cases in 8) and a modest increase in the volume of products (,68 kg in 8). The Russian Federation and Kazakhstan are behind 67 % of the seizures made, but in terms of the volume intercepted, it is Belarus which stood out with no less than,68 kg of herbal cannabis obtained from only three seizures. The bulk of the herbal cannabis was detected in road traffic. Ukraine remains the main source country for this type of drug, far ahead of Kazakhstan and Moldova. Psychotropic substances Two outstanding seizures made in this region deserve special mention. The first involved 6 kg of ketamine intercepted by Russian Customs at the border with Finland. The drugs were in the boot of a vehicle driven by a Russian national. The second involved 6.9 kg of ecstasy intercepted at the Estonian border. The drugs were concealed in a specially contrived hiding place in the door of a vehicle coming from the Netherlands. In February 8, Russian Customs officers detected 8 kg of cannabis resin in a road freight consignment originating in Iran. The resin was concealed inside a consignment of peppers. (Photos courtesy of Russian Customs) 8 WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8

30 Regional overviews Asia/Pacific REGIONAL OVERVIEWS ASIA/PACIFIC Overview A total of,68 seizures were reported in the CEN database by Customs or joint Customs and Police units. This is an increase of 73 cases compared with 7. Bangladesh reported the majority of the seizures made in 8, amounting to 33 %, followed by Thailand ( %), Pakistan (3 %), India (6 %) and Hong Kong, China (6 %). Opiates Heroin Asia and Pacific countries reported seizures of heroin, which is an increase of 36 % compared with 7. A total of,36 kg were seized, which is decrease of kg compared with the record amount of,87 kg seized in 7. This is mainly due to the enforcement controls carried out by Pakistani Customs, as 93 % of cases were reported from there. The mail shipments were mostly detected in Karachi, Lahore or Rawalpindi, with final destinations in the United Kingdom, South Africa, and China and, to a lesser extent Tanzania, Nigeria and Kenya. As Pakistani Customs reported numerous attempts to smuggle heroin out of the country, it is believed that mail shipments originating from Pakistan should be considered as high-risk consignments. Main departure countries for air traffic heroin shipments Opium Only seizures of opium were reported, one less than in 7. The quantity detected amounted only to 6. kg, compared with kg the previous year. Opium seizures were reported by Iran, Thailand, Pakistan, China, Myanmar and Vietnam. Eight seizures were made by law enforcement agencies internally in vehicles. Five seizures were detected in mail centres and four shipments were detected during export controls at Samutprakarn (Thailand) mail centre, with the shipments bound for the United States. Iranian Customs reported a seizure bound for Denmark amounting to 7 grams. Main destination countries for air traffic heroin shipments The largest seizure reported in 8 amounted to 6 kg and the drugs were detected by Indian law enforcement agencies. There is no further information on the concealment or the conveyance. Most of the heroin seizures detected in the region were detected at airports, from where 9 cases amounting to 37 kg were reported. These one the highest number and quantities ever reported. Most air seizures departed from Pakistan, India and Malaysia, while China, Malaysia, Australia and the United Arab Emirates were the main destination countries. By weight, most of the heroin was concealed in the luggage of couriers. Almost % of the cases, or 9 kg, involved concealments on the courier, with the heroin mostly being swallowed. China and Hong Kong, China reported half of the air seizures, with the drugs being swallowed or to a lesser extent concealed on the courier's body. A total of 73 cases or 7 kg of heroin was detected in the mail sector, which is a significant increase compared with previous years. Departure No. of Quantity seizures (Kg) Pakistan India 6. Malaysia 3.3 Unknown 3. United Arab Emirates 7. Ethiopia. Cambodia Philippines 8.6 Thailand 6.9 Afghanistan 6.3 Destination countries of mail shipments - worldwide Departure No. of Quantity seizures (Kg) China. Unknown 9 9. Malaysia Australia 33.6 United Arab Emirates 9 3. Hong Kong, China 8.6 India.3 Nigeria 3. Chinese, Taipai Maldives 6 8. Destination Total United Kingdom Nigeria Unknown South Africa 6 7 Netherlands Canada Spain 8 China 6 Australia 9 7 Kenya WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8 9

31 Regional overviews Asia/Pacific Royal Thai Customs officers working at the Suvarnabhumi Airport seized 9,7 kg of heroin with an estimated combined street value of close to USD 93,7 in six separate seizures over the period from November 8 to February 9. The heroin was detected on the body of the couriers. (Photos courtesy of Royal Thai Customs) Opium Poppy Straw Pakistani Customs detected six incidents of opium poppy straw smuggling amounting to almost 8 tonnes. A single huge seizure amounting to 76 tonnes greatly affected the figures. The drugs were detected in vehicles during export controls. Cocaine The number of cocaine seizures increased by to 3 cases, while the quantities seized decreased 3 % to only 9 kg in 8. The 7 figure is however also affected by a huge single seizure amounting to 8 kg of cocaïne. Australian Customs seized 9 % of the cocaine seized in the region. This is mainly due to huge seizures detected in the maritime sector during 8. The largest cocaine seizure in 8 was detected by Australian Customs, when kg of cocaine was detected in a sea freight consignment, which had arrived from China. Another huge seizure ( kg) was detected in Melbourne in a sea freight consignment of spa baths and pedicure chairs. Besides detecting cocaine, kg of ecstasy and 66 kg of methamphetamine were detected. This huge shipment had originated in Canada. Hong Kong, China detected incidents of cocaine smuggling amounting to.7 kg. Six seizures had originated in Brazil, and in five instances the couriers had transited South Africa. The cocaine was detected in luggage ( cases), on the person of the courier ( cases), swallowed ( case) and in case the cocaine was concealed in the soles of the courier's shoes. Almost 8 kg of cocaine was detected on a courier who had arrived from Suriname via Amsterdam (Netherlands). The cocaine was concealed in this suitcase. In three cases the cocaine was detected in mail shipments originating in the United States. Six seizures were detected by Chinese Customs at Guangzhou. Three incidents occurred in the mail sector and in all cases the mail was sent from Brazil. Two seizures were made in commercial air traffic in which the couriers had come from Ethiopia and transited Thailand. Another seizure amounting to kg had departed Kenya. For the first time in recent years, the Republic of Korea reported two cocaine seizures amounting to 8.8 kg. Both shipments had originated in Brazil and the drugs were detected in the false walls of the courier's suitcases. Crack cocaine Iranian Customs detected the only seizure of crack in the Asia and Pacific region, amounting to. kg. The mail shipment was bound for Turkey. Cannabis Cannabis resin The quantity of cannabis resin detected in the region increased % to 9 tonnes in 37 incidents. The figure is however affected by a huge seizure amounting to 8.8 tonnes, which was detected by Vietnamese Customs at the land border with China. The resin was concealed in a road freight consignment of textiles, which had originated in Pakistan. The consignment was intended to be shipped from China to Canada. Pakistani Customs seized almost tonnes of cannabis resin. Most of the seizures were detected in vehicles at export controls. There is no further information concerning the final destination country for these seizures. Herbal cannabis Unlike cannabis resin, the volume of herbal cannabis continued to decrease, as it has done for the last four years. Members in the region detected a total of 3 tonnes in incidents. This is tonnes or 7 cases less than in 7. Bangladeshi law enforcement agencies account for 73 % of the volume of herbal 3 WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8

32 Regional overviews Asia/Pacific People's Democratic Republic is another source country and accounts for % of the volume seized. Australian Customs detected kg of cocaine in the battery cells of a forklift truck. An X-ray examination of the forklift truck revealed anomalies within its battery unit. A hole drilled into one of the forklift s battery cells revealed a white powder, which tested positive for cocaine. The consignment had arrived from Mexico. (Photo courtesy of Australian Customs) cannabis seized, while Thailand accounts for 9 %. Most of the seizures made by Bangladeshi law enforcement authorities were made from pedestrians arriving from India and crossing the land border on foot. India is the main source country for the herbal cannabis detected in the region, accounting for 7 % of the volume. Lao Psychotropic drugs Psychotropic substances are a major concern in the Asia and the Pacific region. Most of the seizures of psychotropic substances refer to unspecified substances listed in the CEN, such as xanax, nitrazepam, phensidyl, etc. Amphetamines Australia and India reported 3 and seizures of amphetamines respectively, totalling 88 kg. The figure is boosted by a huge seizure of 83 kg, which was detected in a delivery van by Customs in Mumbai. Australia detected 8 kg of amphetamine in an air freight consignment, which had arrived from Lithuania. Lithuania is a wellknown producer of amphetamine, although mainly for the Scandinavian market. Methamphetamines Methamphetamine are still widely abused in the Asia and the Pacific region. The volume of methamphetamines increased dramatically by 6 % compared with 7, as more than.7 tonnes were seized in 8. Two huge seizures were reported by the Philippines and Japan. Philippines Customs detected 66 kg of methamphetamines in a sea freight consignment, which had arrived from Chinese, Taipai. The drugs were detected in a warehouse. Japanese Customs at Moji seaport detected almost 3 kg of methamphetamine in a freight consignment. The source of the drugs was unfortunately not given. Methamphetamines were transported by ship in cases, amounting to 78 % of the WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8 3

33 Regional overviews Asia/Pacific volume and almost % of the weight was detected in freight consignments. The main source countries by weight were Chinese, Taipai (77 kg), unknown (38 kg), Lao People's Democratic Republic ( kg), Canada ( kg) and China (3 kg). The Philippines, Japan, Australia and Thailand are the main markets for methamphetamine. MDMA (ecstasy) Only 9 seizures, amounting to kg of ecstasy, were reported by the following countries: Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, China, Republic of Korea, Singapore and Thailand. Four seizures amounting to 36 kg or 8 % of the total weight originated in Canada, which makes it the main source country in the Asia Pacific region. The Netherlands and Germany also play a minor role as sources for ecstasy. The largest seizure in 8 was made in Melbourne (Australia), where kg of ecstasy was detected together with kg of cocaine and 66 kg of methamphetamine. Japanese Customs at Narita Airport made a noteworthy seizure when selecting three male Israelis for a more in-depth examination. A total of 7 kg of ecstasy was detected in the luggage of the couriers. They had arrived from Amsterdam (Netherlands). Benzodiazepines Thailand reported 9 cases amounting to 7 kg of diazepam. All the seizures were made during export controls of mail consignments and 9 cases were bound for the United Kingdom. Sweden, Ireland and the United States were mentioned in a few cases. Other drugs The volume of ketamine seized amounted to 7 kg in 38 incidents. Hong Kong, China reported of those seizures or 336 kg. Most of these seizures were detected at the land border to China and were transported by couriers, who crossed the border on foot. The biggest ketamine seizure of 37 kg was detected in an air freight consignment arriving from Singapore. The ketamine was detected inside loud speakers. Malaysia was the destination country for six shipments (8 kg) and India was the main source country for these seizures. Four seizures amounting to,8 kg of methaqualone, also known as mandrax, were detected by Indian law enforcement authorities. Unfortunately, there was no information on the routing, concealment or conveyance. There were no seizures of LSD or methadone in the region. Bangladeshi law enforcement agencies represented the only country in the region to report seizures of phensidyl, which is a cough syrup containing the narcotic drug codeine. As the table shows, both the number of seizures and weight rose dramatically in 8. India is the source country of the phensidyl and it is mainly transported to Bangladesh by couriers crossing the border on foot. Phensidyl : No. of seizures and quantity seized 3 Quantity (Kg) No. of seizures 9 7 6, 6,9 8,96, 3 3 WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8

34 Regional overviews the Americas REGIONAL OVERVIEWS THE AMERICAS Netherlands Customs seized 79 kg of cocaine at Rotterdam harbour on January 8. The seizure was made as a result of pre-arrival risk analysis of the manifest in Rotterdam. The French Customs Authorities also sent information regarding this shipment to the Customs Information Centre (DIC) in Rotterdam. The drugs were hidden in a container loaded with pallets of wooden beams. The cocaine was found in plastic pipes which had been concealed in a number of hollowed-out wooden beams. Approximately two kg of cocaine had been packed into each plastic pipe. The cocaine originated in Colombia and was shipped via Callao (Peru) to Rotterdam. The consignee was a fictitious subsidiary of an import company in northern France. (Photos courtesy of Netherlands Customs) NORTH AMERICA The United States stated during the Enforcement Committee Meeting 9 that they are ready to provide seizure data on various Customs offences within a limited period of time. Unfortunately, it was not possible to get the data in time to include it in this Report. The data will although be uploaded to the CEN database as soon as these are available. This important step forward will be beneficial for all the Members of the WCO and will in the future allow RILOs and the Secretariat to produce more accurate trend and risk analysis. WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8 33

35 Regional overviews the Americas Canada has always provided detailed seizure information to the Customs Enforcement Network (CEN) database. Unfortunately, it was not possible to get the Canadian seizure data uploaded in time to include these into this Report. The WCO Secretariat received although the following contribution from Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), which gives an overview of the drug smuggling in Canada. Cocaine Cocaine remains Canada's primary drug threat, with its use second only to cannabis - mainly marijuana. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) made a total of 3 cocaine seizures in 8. 6 seizures were trafficking-sized (significant) quantities accounting for approximately.8 tonnes. The quantity seized was fairly stable in comparison to 7 totals (.7 tonnes). The air passenger stream accounted for over % of the trafficking-sized cocaine seizures and approximately 3% of the total quantity of cocaine seized. The highway mode (traveler and commercial streams) represented only 7 % of the total number of trafficking-sized cocaine seizures but approximately 7 % of the total quantity seized in 8. A signifi- Cocaine - Number of seizures and quantity (Kg) seized in Canada Quantity (Kg) No. of seizures 3 3,8,,68,8 3 cant portion of the cocaine that transits the United States to Canada has been transshipped through Mexico. The United States remains the primary transit country for cocaine shipments entering Canada. However, large shipments continue to be smuggled via the marine and air modes from locations outside of the United States. The largest CBSA cocaine seizure ever made in the highway mode occurred in 8 The largest CBSA cocaine seizure ever made in the highway mode occurred in February 8 when CBSA officers at the Sarnia - Bluewater Bridge (Ontario) seized approximately 3 kg from the cab of a transport truck. After pulling up to the primary inspection booth, CBSA officers encountered an extremely nervous driver. Based on the driver's nervous behaviour, the transport truck was referred to secondary examination for x-ray scanning. Anomalies were detected in the walls of the tractor sleeper area. Inside, officers found seven duffel bags containing cocaine in the rear section on top of the bunk. A detector dog was also brought in and gave positive indications behind the inside paneling. Additional bricks of cocaine were subsequently discovered behind the upper roof paneling, air vents, and speakers. The largest CBSA cocaine seizure in 8 was made in the marine container stream Overall, the largest CBSA cocaine seizure in 8 occurred in the marine container stream in December. Acting on intelligence, CBSA officers at the Port of Saint John (New Brunswick) seized 7 kg of cocaine from a shipment originating in Guyana and destined for a business in Ontario. The seizure was the result of a Joint Force Operation (JFO) initiated by the Durham Regional Police (Ontario) with the assistance of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and the Saint John City Police. The cocaine was found secreted within some of the dividers in the cardboard boxes housing bottles of hot sauce on a -foot container (see pictures below). Of, boxes of hot sauce, cocaine was found in of them. As a result of the Canadian investigation, United States. DEA agents (in collaboration with CBSA and the RCMP) in the U.S. Virgin Islands seized an additional kg of cocaine utilizing the same concealment method that was also destined to the Port of Saint John. The shipment was intended for the same consignee in Ontario. Opiates Heroin Heroin continues to represent a significant drug threat to Canada. In 8, the CBSA made 86 seizures of heroin, with 9 significant seizures accounting for 9 kg seized. The quantity of heroin seized increased for the 7 th consecutive year. The majority of heroin seized in 8 was intercepted in the air cargo stream (37 kg). Significant seizures were also made in marine containers (7kg); air passengers (6 kg); and in courier streams ( kg). India and Pakistan were the primary origin / transit countries in 8, representing approximately 6 % of the total CBSA seizures. Canadian nationals returning from India were arrested in several smuggling attempts in the air passenger stream. In addition to CBSA seizures, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in India made several significant heroin seizures that were destined to Canada via the air passenger, courier and postal streams. The largest seizure of heroin occurred in October when CBSA officers in Halifax seized approximately 8kg of heroin in a marine container shipment that was targeted for inspection. The heroin was concealed within a shipment of towels originating in Pakistan and was destined for Toronto. Based on anomalies following X- ray imaging of the shipment, the drugs were detected inside 8 of the 3 boxes. Thin packages of heroin were secreted in the hollowed-out areas between the corrugated layers of cardboard that formed the sides of the boxes. Four individuals (three from the Greater Toronto Area-and one from British Columbia), were arrested when they attempted to claim delivery of the shipment. 3 WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8

36 Regional overviews the Americas Opium The CBSA made 6 seizures of opium in 8, with 36 significant seizures and 76 kg seized. 8 was the th straight year that the total quantity of opium seized increased. Between 3 and 7, Iran was the prominent country of origin / transit for opium, accounting for % of the quantity seized. However, in 8 Turkey was primary origin / transit country (68 %) due to a single significant seizure at Vancouver Marine Operations ( kg) in October. The multiple foodstuff shipment was examined as a result of a CBSA target. The drugs were concealed at the bottom of jars of black olives commingled with candy, pickles, pickled mixed vegetables, and green and black olives. This seizure was the largest CBSA seizure of opium since. Opium is frequently smuggled into Canada via air cargo, courier and postal parcels. However, this seizure highlights the threat posed by the marine container stream for large single shipments of drugs. Cannabis Cannabis Resin and Hashish Oil The CBSA made 3 seizures of hashish in 8, with significant seizures totalling 8 kg seized. There were 6 seizures of hashish oil, with one significant seizure and kg seized. Hashish and hashish oil represent a limited market in Canada, where consumption is concentrated mainly in Quebec, Ontario, and the Atlantic provinces. Over the past several years, most hashish seizures in Canada were multi-tonne shipments smuggled via marine containers originating / transiting Southwest Asia, Western Europe, and Africa. Most bulk shipments of hashish oil are smuggled using maritime conveyance with the majority of the seizures originating in Jamaica. The largest hashish seizure in 8 occurred in March when CBSA officers in Halifax seized 3 kg from a targeted marine shipment originating in Morocco. The shipment was declared as "Colis Oil Olives" and the consignee was a residential address in Montreal. Officers detected a strong odour upon opening the container, and after a thorough examination, discovered several bricks of hash at the bottom of the container. Herbal cannabis While most marijuana cultivated in both the United States and Canada is produced to support domestic demand, cross-border distribution remains a concern. U.S. marijuana seizures from Canada represent a small portion of the overall U.S. market share, which is primarily supplied through U.S. domestic production and Mexican produced marijuana. However, significant seizures of marijuana from Canada continue to occur. Despite domestic production in Canada, the CBSA made,693 seizures of marijuana in 8, with 66 significant seizures totalling 636 kg seized. The quantity of marijuana seized more than doubled the total seized in 7. Marijuana has historically been smuggled into Canada from the Caribbean. In 8, Jamaica accounted for 7 % of the marijuana intercepted. Despite domestic production, marijuana will continue to be smuggled into Canada, primarily from Jamaica. The air and marine modes are expected to be the dominant means of transport for the bulk of marijuana smuggling attempts. Psychotropic substances MDMA (ecstasy) The ecstasy situation in Canada has changed dramatically since 3. Beginning in, the number of ecstasy shipments from Western Europe as well as the amount of ecstasy seized at Canadian ports of entry began to decline and almost nonexistent by 6. In 8, CBSA made 88 seizures of ecstasy, and of these, only nine seizures were significant, representing 73,68 doses. Of the total quantity seized over 9 % was outbound from Canada, including a single shipment of powdered ecstasy capable of producing, tablets. The shipment was destined for Australia and seized by CBSA in Vancouver. SOUTH AMERICA Overview In 8, South America reported 73 cases of drugs smuggling, an increase of 8 seizures compared with 7. The table shows the countries that reported drug seizures in 8. Number of seizures reported per country Country Argentina 38 French Guyana 99 Brazil 8 Chile Paraguay 38 Venezuela 7 Uruguay Ecuador Grand Total 73 Cocaine Almost 87 % of the reports made in the region refer to cocaine seizures, while the w e i g h t s e i z e d a l s o r o s e b y %, amounting to almost 3 tonnes. Argentine Customs made the largest seizure during 8, amounting to 7.3 tonnes of Cocaine: Number of seizures and quantity seized in South America Country No. of Quantity seizures (Kg) Argentina 389,3 Venezuela 7 8 Brazil Uruguay 37 Ecuador 6 Chile 37 6 Paraguay 3 French Guyana 97 Grand Total 6,889 WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8 3

37 Regional overviews the Americas cocaine inside the luggage area of a bus. It was a seizure made inside the country. An examination of the routings of the cocaine shipments above kg shows that South Africa is the only African country targeted by South American cocaine shipments. In total, 33 kg were destined for South Africa. Law enforcement agencies in Uruguay detected 39 kg of cocaine inside a freight consignment destined for South Africa. The volume of cocaine destined for Spain almost doubled to. tonnes compared with 7. Quantities destined for Belgium almost tripled in 8, amounting to. tonnes. Mail shipments are playing an increasing role in the region, as incidents amounting to 88 kg were reported. Argentina reported 8 cases amounting to 67 kg, with Spain as the main destination country. Mail shipments originating from French Guyana were mainly destined for the Netherlands, Australia and the United Kingdom. Cocaine base During 8, a total of 3 kg of cocaine base were detected in 3 incidents, with Brazil and Chile reporting the majority of cases. The cases were mainly transported within the region. Cocaine solution Brazil reported six seizures amounting to 6 litres of cocaine in solution. All cases were detected in the mail sector and five shipments were bound for Spain ( cases) and Portugal ( case), while in two cases the destination country was not given. Heroin In May 8, Israeli Customs seized kg of pure cocaine in close co-operation with Israeli Police. The cocaine originated in Columbia and was concealed in a container of coffee. (Photos courtesy of Israeli Customs) Five seizures amounting to almost 9 kg of heroin were reported by Argentina (3 cases), Brazil ( case) and Chile ( case). Three cases were bound for Europe and all the seizures were detected in the mail sector. Two seizures were made in air traffic, where the heroin was destined to the United States and Chile. 36 WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8

38 Regional overviews the Americas grammes of diazepam in a parcel consignment bound for Spain. CENTRAL AMERICA Unfortunately, no seizure reports have been entered into the CEN database by any Central American country. There were no seizures of opium, morphine or opium poppy straw. Cannabis Cannabis resin Cannabis resin is not important in South America. Chilean Customs detected the only seizure involving the smuggling of cannabis resin. Six kg were detected in the structure of a bus, which had arrived from Argentina. Herbal cannabis The volume of herbal cannabis more than doubled in 8, amounting to almost 3 tonnes in 9 incidents. Paraguay accounted for almost 9 % of the weight seized in the region. The largest seizure of herbal cannabis (6 tonnes) was reported by Paraguayan law enforcement agencies. The seizure was reported to be an "internal" seizure and there is no further information on the conveyance or the concealment. Paraguay reported in total almost. tonnes of marijuana, produced "internally". In May 8, Brazilian Customs seized 67 kg of cocaine at Imbituba seaport. The drugs were concealed behind a false compartment in an Isotainer (shipping container) used to convey the drugs from South America to Europe. (Photos courtesy of Brazilian Customs) The seizures reported by South American countries were all destined for other South American countries, except for a single instance of kg, which was destined for France. Argentine Customs succeeded in detecting 3 road shipments at the border crossing from Paraguay. The herbal cannabis was mainly detected in cars and the drugs were concealed in the structure of the cars. Other drugs There were no seizures of ecstasy reported by South American countries in 8. Argentina reported four seizures of amphetamine amounting to. kg. Three seizures were detected during export controls of mail consignments and all were bound for Spain. A single seizure was made from a courier who had arrived from Uruguay. The grams concerned were detected in the luggage. Customs officers in French Guyana detected CARIBBEAN Overview The Joint Intelligence Office (JIO) situated in St. Lucia received seizure information on 39 incidents from the following countries: Guadeloupe (), Cuba (3), Trinidad and Tobago (7), St. Lucia (3) and Martinique (). French Customs reported the seizures from Guadeloupe and Martinique, both being French territories. There is unquestionably a lack of seizure information from the region, as information from press releases shows that the Caribbean is still an important transit point for cocaine shipments bound for Europe. Unfortunately, the limited information means that only limited intelligence may be gained from the data. We hope that the information gap will be reduced in the forthcoming Report. Cocaine 33 of the 39 incidents reported in 8 refer to cocaine smuggling, amounting to 3 kg. Cocaine : No. of seizures and quantity seized in the Caribbean (Kg) Country No. of Quantity seizures (Kg) Martinique.7 Cuba. Trinidad and Tobago 7.6 Guadeloupe. St. Lucia 3. Grand Total WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8 37

39 Regional overviews the Americas Cuban Customs detected 6 kg of cocaine concealed in the ceiling of an aircraft toilet. The drugs must have been put there by an airport worker in Cancun (Mexico) and were bound for Amsterdam (Netherlands), where the rip-off was expected to take place. (Photos courtesy of Cuban Customs) The largest cocaine seizure of 3 kg was detected by Martinique Customs. The vessel had arrived from Venezuela and was raided on the high seas. The cocaine was bound for Spain. All other seizures ranged between. and kg. The seizures detected in Guadeloupe were all seized at export controls and France was the final destination country for all the detections. The cocaine was detected in air traffic seven times, in the luggage of the courier four times and the courier had taped the cocaine to their body twice. The cocaine was concealed inside letters three times. All the seizures made in Trinidad and Tobago were detected at Crown Point airport and all shipments were bound for the United Kingdom. The cocaine was concealed in the luggage of the couriers six times, while only once was the cocaine concealed on the body of the courier. Cuban Customs reported seizures amounting to kg of cocaine. Cuban Customs made a very interesting seizure onboard a flight that had arrived from Mexico, with the Netherlands (Amsterdam) being its final destination. The 6 kg of cocaine was concealed in the roof of the toilet, which means that the cocaine had been placed in the aircraft in Mexico and that airport workers in Amsterdam may be involved in order to remove the drugs and smuggle them out of the secure airport area. This phenomenon is very well-known and Dutch Customs have in previous years been very successful in the fight against this type of airport crime. Cannabis Three seizures amounting to 33 kg of h e r b a l c a n n a b i s w e r e r e p o r t e d b y Guadeloupe ( cases) and Cuba ( case). Other drugs Guadeloupe reported a single seizure of ecstasy amounting to. kg. The ecstasy was destined for France, which is a very unusual routing, as ecstasy is normally exported from Europe. Cuban Customs made another interesting detection as 3 litres of cocaine in solution was detected in two bottles of rum and two bottles of wine. The drugs were detected in the luggage of the courier, who had arrived from Panama, with Jamaica being the final destination. 38 WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8

40 Regional overviews Africa REGIONAL OVERVIEWS AFRICA Number of seizures made in Africa (regardless of drug type) RILO Region Country Central Africa Cameroon 8 9 Gabon Eastern and Southern Africa South Africa 7 Angola 6 Tanzania 3 Kenya 6 6 Mauritius 7 3 Mozambique 6 Botswana Uganda Zimbabwe Malawi Namibia Zambia North Africa Morocco 387 Algeria 6 West Africa Senegal 3 3 Burkina Faso 3 3 Benin Mali 6 Cape Verde 6 Côte d Ivoire 6 Ghana Guinea Nigeria Togo Grand total Overview The analysis of drug seizures made on the African continent in 8 takes account of the information provided by the four African RILOs, namely North Africa, Western Africa, Central Africa and, finally, Eastern and Southern Africa. The table clearly shows that the results are not an accurate reflection of all the drug seizures made in Africa. A significant improvement in terms of the number of seizure reports input into the CEN by certain Members was noted in 8. Unfortunately, some other countries have failed to maintain the impetus generated in 7. One of the main reasons for this patchy situation resides in the fact that a large number of the region's Members do not yet possess a centralized database. By making ncen access available to requesting countries in the course of 9, the WCO Secretariat will undoubtedly improve this situation. Seizure in Cameroon on May 8 ( kg of herbal cannabis). (Photos courtesy of Cameroonian Customs) WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8 39

41 Regional overviews Africa Cape Verde Customs detected 7. kg of cocaine hidden inside engines and gearboxes. (Photos courtesy of Cape Verde Customs) Opiates The total number of heroin seizures in Africa has been dwindling continually and substantially for the past three years, declining from 3 cases in 6, to in 7 and only seven in 8. However, at the same time the volume of heroin seized in this region has risen steadily from 9 kg in 6, to 3 kg in 7, rising to 39 kg in 8. Kenya (36.7 kg) takes the top spot in terms of the volume of cocaine seized in 8, far ahead of Mauritius (3 kg) and Madagascar (. kg). Unlike 7, when all the seizures were made in the airport sector, in 8 interceptions took place in the maritime sector (three cases), the air traffic sector (two cases), the overland vehicles sector (one case) and from a foot passenger (one case). 8's main seizure was made by Kenyan Customs and involved 3 kg of heroin intercepted from a vehicle having left Uganda. Cocaine Although Latin America remains the world's p r i m a r y c o c a i n e p ro d u c i n g r e g i o n (Colombia, Bolivia and Peru), with North America and Western Europe as the main consumer markets, the distribution methods within these markets are nevertheless continuously developing. As borne out by the data input into the CEN (see cocaine section), cocaine continues to be shipped to Europe via South America and the Caribbean. For some years now, West Africa and, to a lesser extent, Central Africa have become hubs for cocaine delivery from South America to Europe. However, if only seizures made by Customs services in Africa (involving cocaine) are taken into account, then this trend is yet to be fully confirmed. It is nonetheless worth stressing that 8 witnessed a marked improvement in the results achieved, especially as regards the number of interceptions (3 cases in 8, as against only 8 in 6, and 3 in 7). Turning to the volume of cocaine intercepted in 8, the results are largely the same as those for 7 (33 kg and 3 kg respectively). The most effective countries in terms of combating cocaine trafficking in 8 are Angola (6 interceptions amounting to 7 kg), Senegal (nine interceptions amounting to kg), Cape Verde (six interceptions amounting to 77 kg) and Guinea (six interceptions amounting to 3 kg). For the sake of completeness, it is also worth mentioning Mali (three seizures / 7 kg), Burkina Faso (two seizures / kg), Benin (two seizures / kg), Nigeria (one seizure / kg), Kenya (one seizure / kg) and Ghana (one seizure / kg). 7 % of seizures were made in the air traffic sector (only passengers) and % in the overland vehicles sector. All the interceptions reported by Angola were made from passengers arriving from Brazil (7 % from couriers having swallowed the drugs). A little under % of the seizures were made during controls at export (bound for a European country). Operation COCAIR (see separate chapter) was crucial in persuading Customs services to heighten controls at export. In parallel to the above results, cocaine seizures made in Western Europe's main airports in 8, with West and Central WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8

42 Regional overviews Africa Cocaine seized at European airports with African countries being either departure or transit country (quantity in Kg) Departure or transit country Africa as the countries of consignment, remain relatively significant despite the numbers being down on 7, as illustrated by the results contained in the following table. In collaboration with the Western Africa RILO, the WCO Secretariat conducted an initial analysis of Customs seizures made from to 7 in the major European airports. It transpired that West and Central Africa was being increasingly being used by traffickers as a hub for cocaine storage and transit between South America and Europe. This analysis proved decisive in the launch of the pilot Operation COCAIR. The two tables opposite contain all the information available in the CEN database regarding cocaine seizures made in European airports, with an African country as the country of departure or transit (this information is based on the routing indicated when inputting the data). As for the number of seizures recorded for the period - 8, 7 proved an exceptional year with % more seizures reported than the previous two years. Seizures made in 8 were 3 % lower than the 7 figures (9 seizures), yet the number nevertheless remains extremely significant. Nigeria, Senegal, Mali, Guinea and Gambia appear most often as the countries of departure or transit for cocaine shipments bound for the major Western European airports. The contrasts are more marked if one takes account of the total quantity of cocaine seized over the period consequently saw a 6 % increase in the volume of cocaine seized compared with 6, whilst 8 saw a fall in the region of 3 % compared with 7. The list of the top seven countries most frequently appearing as departure or transit countries for cocaine shipments to the main Western European airports (in terms of the volume intercepted) also includes Nigeria, Senegal, Mali, Guinea and Gambia. Cape Verde and Ghana also Gambia 3 77 Nigeria Cape Verde Senegal Mali 9 88 Guinea Ghana Benin 6 Cameroon Kenya 9 7 Togo Morocco 9 33 South Africa Côte d Ivoire 3 7 Guinea Bissau 3 Uganda 6 Tunisia Mauritania 8 Equatorial Guinea 6 Angola Burkina Faso 3 3 Algeria Zambia 3 Grand Total,638,77,933 Cocaine seized at European airports with African countries being either departure or transit country (no. of seizures) Nigeria 3 9 Senegal 6 96 Mali Guinea Gambia Ghana Benin 7 6 Cameroon 3 9 Kenya Côte d Ivoire 8 7 South Africa 8 6 Morocco 9 33 Guinea Bissau 7 Cape Verde Togo Uganda 3 6 Equatorial Guinea Algeria Mauritania Angola Burkina Faso 7 Tunisia Zambia Grand total WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8

43 Regional overviews Africa deserve special mention for shipments intercepted on departure from these countries. The two tables clearly show that although there was a slight downturn in this phenomenon in 8, export controls should be heightened in the air freight, postal and express mail and passenger sectors upon departure from the main African airports, especially on flights bound for European airports. Cannabis Herbal cannabis The volume of herbal cannabis intercepted in Africa in 8 rose very sharply, from 9. tonnes in 7 to more than 3 tonnes in 8. A considerable increase in the number of interceptions was also noted in 8 : cases recorded in the CEN in 7, as against 88 cases in 8. In 8, four countries input quantities in excess of one tonne of herbal cannabis into the CEN database. They are, in descending order, Burkina Faso (8,363 kg), Ghana (7,97 kg), Kenya (3,63 kg) and Senegal (,66 kg). For the sake of completeness as regards this type of drug, Mali, which made Africa's largest herbal cannabis seizure in 7 with a haul of,33 kg, seized 73 kg of herbal cannabis in 8. Guinea, which was not mentioned in the database in 7, carried out eight seizures in 8 yielding 63 kg. Finally, Togo seized kg of herbal cannabis in 8. Two outstanding seizures of herbal cannabis made in 8 are worth mentioning. The first was an interception in Ghana involving 7, kg of herbal cannabis concealed in a load of local vegetables. The second seizure related to, kg of herbal cannabis intercepted by Burkina Faso Customs at the border with Ghana. Africa remains the world's top herbal cannabis producer with a quantity estimated at some, tonnes in (source : UNODC). It is consequently not surprising that the source countries for herbal cannabis seized in 8 are all on this continent. Ghana, with 6,6 kg, unquestionably remains the reference country, followed by Kenya with 3,63 kg and Mali with,87 kg, to mention only the countries appearing in the database as countries of consignment for quantities exceeding one tonne. Cannabis resin Morocco remains the world's biggest producer of cannabis resin and supplies the markets in North Africa and Western Europe. Nevertheless, it is worth stressing that the areas cultivated are on the wane after the Moroccan Government stepped up its efforts to eradicate cannabis production from its territory. In terms of Africa, Morocco recorded the greatest number and the largest volume of cannabis resin seizures in 8. However, there is little option but to acknowledge that there has been a steady decline in the quantities of cannabis resin seized by Moroccan Customs over the past four years in a row. From 6 tonnes in, the quantities seized fell to 9 tonnes in 6, 6 in 7 and, finally, to 3 in 8. Turning to the number of interceptions (for which the level remains extremely high) recorded in the CEN database by Moroccan Customs, 8 saw a slight decrease with 387 cases, as against in 7. With regard to cannabis resin, apart from the seizures reported by Moroccan Customs, Kenya carried out three interceptions involving a total of kg of cannabis resin, whilst Malawi intercepted 6 kg of cannabis resin in air freight consigned in the United Arab Emirates. As was already the case in 6 and 7, some 98 % of seizures by Moroccan Customs took place at seaports (Tangiers in 9 % of cases), from commercial vehicles (lorries and buses) or from private vehicles (motor homes and vans) or else, to a lesser extent, from containers loaded onto ferries chiefly bound for Spain. It is worth stressing that in over 9 % of interceptions, the cannabis resin was discovered in specially contrived hiding places in vehicles (drugs concealed in the vehicle floor, the dashboard, the vehicle sidemember, the front and rear bumpers, the fuel tank, the spare wheel, the trailer refrigeration unit, etc.). Also worth highlighting is a significant seizure of,3 kg of cannabis resin (slabs of chira) made on 7 December 8 at Tangiers port, from a lorry containing a consignment of vegetables bound for Spain. Psychotropic substances As was the case in 7, only three seizures of psychotropic substances were reported in Africa in 8. The first two consisted of two interceptions involving two batches of 9 kg of ephedrine (a product considered as a doping agent which can cause psychiatric disorders) seized by Côte d'ivoire Customs officers from a private vehicle arriving from Ghana. The third seizure is attributable to Mauritius Customs officers, who intercepted,77 "Subutex" tablets from the hold luggage of a passenger arriving from France. WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8

44 Regional overviews Middle East REGIONAL OVERVIEWS MIDDLE EAST Opiates Heroin The volume of heroin seized in the region continued to rise, amounting to 9 kg in incidents. The largest seizure (36 kg) was detected in Dubai Airport where the drugs were concealed in the luggage of the courier, who had arrived from Afghanistan. The heroin was cleverly concealed inside almonds (see photos). Kuwaiti Customs detected almost 3 kg of heroin amongst foodstuff in the luggage of an air courier arriving from Afghanistan. Afghanistan, the main source country for the two largest heroin seizures detected in 8, also became the main source country in the region. Pakistan was another source for detections made in air traffic and the couriers had mainly concealed the heroin on their person or swallowed the drug. Most of these seizures were detected in Saudi Arabia. Opium Detections of opium seizures have been very rare in previous years, but that changed in 8 when incidents amounting to 9 kg were detected. Saudi Arabia detected 9 cases amounting to 7 kg of drugs. All the seizures were detected in air traffic and all the couriers arrived from Iran. The drugs were either detected in luggage or on the courier's person. There were no further details on the methods of concealments. Kuwaiti Customs detected the largest opium seizure, amounting to 7.8 kg, at the airport. The courier had arrived from Iran and the drug was concealed in the structure of the suitcase. Qatar Customs detected 3 kg of opium in the luggage of a courier arriving by air from Iran. It is believed that Iranian opium shipments destined for the Middle East region may increase in the near future. Cocaine Four kg of cocaine were reported during 8. Lebanese Customs at Beirut airport decided to carry out an in-depth inspection of a courier who had arrived from Brazil via France. The cocaine was found on the courier's person. Another seizure of cocaine involving multiple drug types took place when.7 kg of heroin,. kg of cannabis resin and almost half a kilo of cocaine were detected at the border crossing Damascus (Syria). The courier had arrived at the border in a Lebanese registered Mercedes Benz and the drugs were concealed in the spare wheel. Cannabis The Middle East is not a large market for cannabis. The table shows the number of cannabis seizures and the quantity seized by Members in the Middle Eastern region. Unfortunately, the number of cannabis seizures is too low to allow any intelligence to be obtained from these detections. Cannabis resin Seizures of cannabis resin were reported by the following countries: Kuwait ( times), Saudi Arabia (3 times) and once each by Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen. Cannabis Middle East On 3 January 9, Customs officers at Dubai International Airport detected.83 kg of heroin whilst searching the suitcase of an Afghani passenger having arrived on flight No. FG (Afghanistan UAE). The drugs were detected by X-ray and were concealed inside 3 bags of almond peels. (Photos courtesy of Dubai Customs) The quantity of cannabis resin detected rose dramatically, however, the figure is affected by a single seizure of 7 tonnes of cannabis resin. The seizure was made in October by Yemeni Customs and the drugs were detected in a sea freight consignment. Unfortunately there was no information about the cover load or the origin of the consignment. Kuwaiti Customs reported seizures of cannabis resin amounting to 33. kg. All the seizures were made in road vehicles arriving from Iraq. The drugs were mainly detected in the structure of the trucks and on one occasion in the spare wheel. Saudi Arabia reported three seizures amounting to 8 kg and all the seizures were made at the land border with Yemen. Number of seizures Quantity (Kg) Herbal cannabis 6 3 6, Cannabis resin 9, ,68 WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8 3

45 Regional overviews Middle East Herbal cannabis Six seizures of herbal cannabis were reported in 8. Five seizures were reported by Saudi Arabia Customs when cannabis resin was detected inside cars. In four cases the couriers had arrived from Yemen, while one courier arrived from Bahrain. Bahrain Customs detected a single seizure of one kilo of herbal cannabis. The drugs were concealed in the structure of the car. Psychotropic substances Amphetamines The Middle East, especially Saudi Arabia, continues to be the largest market for seizures of counterfeit Captagon tablets. Since these tablets contain amphetamine, seizures of Captagon have been reported as amphetamine seizures in the Middle East region. The volume of amphetamine seized in the region dropped by more than 6 tonnes after having continuously increased in recent years. Saudi Arabia reported the seizure of. tonnes in 7 incidents, which is a decrease of more than 8.3 tonnes compared with the quantity seized in 7. An examination of the amphetamine seizures above kg shows that the number of huge seizures detected in 8 dropped from 3 cases in 7 to only 6 cases in 8. Amphetamine seizures above kg It is very interesting to note that for the first time, Yemeni Customs detected four shipments above kg of amphetamine amounting to 3 tonnes of drugs. Three seizures were detected in the heaters/boilers of the vessels and all the vessels had originated in Syria. Yemeni Customs detected kg of amphetamine in heaters transported by air traffic. Again the amphetamine had originated in Syria and had transited Qatar before it was detected at Sana'a Airport. Jordanian Customs reported eleven seizures amounting to almost 7 kg. All the seizures were detected in vehicles: nine seizures in cars and two seizures in coaches. The drugs were detected in the structure of the vehicle ( cases), fuel tanks (3 cases), and in luggage ( cases), while in two cases the concealment details were not provided. Almost 78 % of the quantity seized originated in Syria, followed by Jordan ( %), which makes these countries the main source for the amphetamines seized in the region. Saudi Arabia was in previous years the main destination country accounting for around 9 % of the total. This changed in 8, when only 6 % of the amphetamines seized were destined for Saudi Arabia. Yemen became a destination country for 33 % of the total in 8, as a result of the large shipments detected. Eleven seizures were detected in the air sector and seizures were reported by Saudi Arabia ( cases), Yemen (3 cases), Bahrain ( cases) and Syria ( case). Eight seizures had originated in Syria and one each in Egypt, India and Iran. The drugs were mostly detected in effects carried in the couriers' hold luggage. Country No. of seizures Quantity (Kg) Saudi Arabia ,779 6,86,7,8 Yemen 3,3 Jordan Lebanon 6 Grand Total ,6 7, 3, 7, MDMA (ecstasy) There were no seizures of ecstasy reported during 9. Other drugs Saudi Arabia reported a seizure of methamphetamine. A total of 3. kg of methamphetamine was detected in the engine area of a coach, which had arrived from Jordan. Eight seizures of diazepam amounting to two kg were reported in 8 and Kuwaiti Customs reported seven of these cases. Half of the seizures had originated in the United Arab Emirates. Kuwait reported a single seizure of,9 tablets of flunitrazepam. The tablets were concealed in the suitcase of the courier, who had arrived from Bangladesh. Amphetamine seized in the Middle East Quantity (Kg) No. of seizures 3 7,9,9,6 9, WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8

46 Special Items national Customs Enforcement Network (ncen) CENcomm The first part of the Columbus Programme needs assessment phase concluded in June 7. The second phase is aimed at "Moving from Words to Actions" by providing support and advice for the development of implementation programmes, project launches, partnership development, donor matchmaking, tools for the implementation steps, and monitoring of implementation. A closer look at the finalized diagnostic mission reports shows that almost forty Members do not have any intelligence system in place or have only partial systems. The ncen will give Members the possibility of implementing risk analysis on strategic, tactical and operational levels. The ncen is based on the existing, tried and tested WCO CEN and CENcomm applications, which means that only minimal training will be required. During the 8 Council Sessions, Germany expressed great interest in the development of ncen and decided afterwards to fund this project. The United States voiced its enthusiasm in support of the development by actively taking part in the discussion of the development of the ncen architecture. Japan has stated its strong commitment to support the ncen by funding training courses following its development. The support provided by Members allowed the Secretariat to start the development of ncen. For Members who do not have any intelligence tools or seizure databases in place, the ncen will provide the following: seizure database, database on suspicious persons, companies and means of transportation/concealment, photo database, secure communications and analysis tools, and a system management tool. The ncen will enable Members to exchange nominal data between each other, thereby promoting regional cooperation within a secure environment. The ncen will be delivered with a tool to facilitate the export of local data into other IT systems, or to create linkages with other law enforcement agencies and international bodies. It will hereby increase data sharing amongst Members. By introducing the adapted tool at the national level, it will be possible to link an existing national database to ncen and upload nonnominal data directly into the CEN system. The principle of "One Seizure, One Report" will thereby be followed. Members who already have a database in place would see the advantages by implementing the tool allowing data exchanges amongst Members and other law enforcement agencies. How this exchange of data should take place is now being discussed among interested Members on the ncen platform. There are two possibilities, namely by using the "gateway or bus" option where data exchange between two Members would use the WCO Server as a "postman". Another possibility is to use the "point to point" data exchange, where the data is securely exchanged between two Members. In order to share views on the development of ncen, such as discussing the functional specifications, data elements, etc., Members can request access to the ncen platform, where information such as weekly messages etc. are stored in the library. The plan is to implement the ncen in Mauritius by autumn 9. If you require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact the CEN Team at the WCO Secretariat. The ability to exchange and disseminate information is critical if Customs is to meet one of its primary objectives: to ensure effective border control by combating Customs offences and disrupting the flow of illicit traffic. At the end of, to enable WCO Members to fight illicit trade more effectively and efficiently, the WCO Secretariat developed a specially designed secure messaging system for cross border operations, known as CENcomm. The CENcomm is a secure communication tool, which has proven to be an essential analytical and operational tool for the secure exchange of nominal data. The CENcomm is only accessible to a closed user group (CUG) of officers for the duration of an operation or a project. The CENcomm application, based on Internet technologies, offers the inherent benefits of this environment. It is cost effective and does not require any special installation. The CENcomm can be used for any Customs operations or joint Customs operations involving other law enforcement agencies and interested partners. There are no technical limitations on the number of CUGs that can be operational at the same time. As already mentioned, the CENcomm was developed in September/October and two operations were carried out at that time. Since then its performance and functionality have become more and more appreciated and it is increasingly being used, as statistics indicate: six operations in, seven operations in 6, fifteen operations in 7 WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8

47 Special Items Operational Co-ordination Unit (OCU) and sixteen operations in 8. As of April, nine operations had been carried out or in the pipeline for 9. This shows the wide acceptance of this very valuable and excellent tool for law enforcement operations. The operations carried out during 8 focused on the smuggling of drugs, tobacco, cash (money laundering), IPR infringements (including Project Fair Play focused on IPR related to the Olympic Games), pharmaceutical products, firearms, and high tax goods. The CENcomm system constantly undergoes enhancements so that the system fulfils the Members' needs. The lessons learned from previous operations have been successfully incorporated in the application. The secure communication system has been improved by giving users the possibility of creating folders and subfolders. The system generates, if requested, an automatic , to one or more identified accounts, to alert that a new message is waiting in the CENcomm mailbox. Users can see if the recipients have read the messages, which will allow further contacts if the mail has not b e e n r e a d w i t h i n a c e r t a i n t i m e. Furthermore, it is now possible to send multiple large attachments through the CENcomm system. In addition, the library has been improved by giving users the possibility of creating folders. An automatic e- mail can be send when a new file has been uploaded to the library. The system is now multilingual with templates in English, French, German, Spanish and Russian. The CENcomm was enhanced by introducing the "ping" function. This means that the system automatically sends out a "ping" every five minutes, and if a "ping" is not returned to the system, it means that the server has gone down. The system will then automatically reboot the server and will be up and running again within minutes. In this way the WCO Secretariat can ensure a stable system, right through the day and even at night and during weekends. A detailed manual assists users in navigating through the application, thereby creating an easy learning environment. The CENcomm system is a very flexible tool and a variety of set-ups can be applied. The WCO Secretariat considers security for all systems as a high priority and therefore the CEN applications were audited by an external IT company. The external audit verified that the CEN applications are secure systems, while stating that NO IT systems can be % secure. Today the CENcomm uses a 6-bit encryption tool and furthermore the messages exchanged are stored encrypted on the WCO server. The organizer of an operation decides when the information that was exchanged has to be deleted from the server. Ownership of the operation is therefore in the hands of the organizer. The CENcomm is also used for the secure transmission of data in the following projects: Smart and Secure Trade Lanes (SSTL) Project Wine and Spirit UCR Pilot Phase II Balkan Info G8 INFO_IPR Oceania Customs Organisation Central Asian Regional Information Coordination Centre (CARICC) Baltic Sea Task Force Etc. This shows that the potential of the CENcomm is in accordance with the building blocks of the Customs in the st Century document. The CENcomm application is provided free of charge. The WCO Secretariat will assist Members who request it by setting up the system, providing helpdesk functions, participating in the testing phase etc. If you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact the WCO Secretariat. Besides providing a secure communication tool for operational purposes, the Secretariat is able to set up a physical Operational Co-ordination Unit (OCU) at WCO Headquarters. The OCU will be set up with computers with Internet access, 6 telephone lines and fax line. The installation and set-up costs are borne by the WCO, whilst travel costs, daily allowances etc. have to be borne by Members themselves or otherwise funded. Three Members used the OCU facilities during operations carried out in the second half of 8. Two Members have requested their use in 9 (as of April). The OCU co-ordinates information sharing between Members organizing and participating in joint enforcement operations. The first operation where the WCO Secretariat hosted the OCU was an operation organized by France. The operation, code-named Athena, was focusing on money laundering linked to funding of terrorism and other illegal activities. This Operation involved all the EU Member States, OLAF, Europol and Interpol, as well as other countries, especially neighbouring Mediterranean countries. The primary objective of Operation Athena was to share information between Customs administrations, to establish breaches of regulations in force regarding the requirement to declare assets upon entry to and exit from EU territory, to seize (in accordance with legislation) ready cash that might be the proceeds of crime, and to build up the assessment of the threat by analysing the trends highlighted during the Operation. Operation Athena, which targeted individuals entering and exiting the EU by air and land (including ferries), ran very smoothly and generated 6 information and seizure messages, making it possible to identify new smuggling routes and methods. A number of investigations were expedited based on the findings obtained during the Operation. The final results will be published in the CEN at a later date. Slovenian and German Customs organized two operations focused on the fight again drug smuggling. Here too, the CENcomm and the OCU WCO s were successfully used. A virtual OCU can, however, be set up anywhere in the world, since only an Internet connection is needed. 6 WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8

48 Special Items Operation COCAIR Senegalese Customs detected one kg of cocaine hidden in the soles of sandals during Operation COCAIR. (Photos courtesy of Senegalese Customs) The Western Africa RILO and the WCO Secretariat have produced an analysis of Customs seizures made from to 7 in the main European and African airports. It transpires from this analysis that the West and Central Africa region is increasingly being used by traffickers as a storage and transit hub for cocaine trafficking between South America and Europe. This finding is also largely shared by the UNODC and Interpol. Operation "Red Nose" carried out by Germany from February to March 7 or the many seizures of cocaine consigned in South and Central America and transiting via west Africa, have borne out this information. Likewise, Operation "Livingstone " carried out by France from September to October 7, with the same objectives, produced similar results. Drug trafficking unquestionably poses a genuine threat to the fragile political and economic balance of West and Central Africa, especially as it is regional in scope and no country is spared. An operation, no matter how successful, in only one of the region's countries would merely shift the problem to neighbouring countries. In response to its Members and their concerns, the WCO Secretariat made combating drug trafficking a Strategic Plan priority, and this was reasserted by Members on a number of occasions, especially at the most recent Council Sessions in 7 and 8. The year 8 was therefore dedicated to combating the illicit trafficking in drugs and precursors. With this aim in mind, the Secretariat pinpointed its priorities in terms of combating drug trafficking, especially by identifying a threat in the West and Central Africa region. A Pilot Operation was consequently devised to build the capacities of the region's Customs administrations in terms of combating cocaine trafficking. After taking stock of the situation in the region and ascertaining States' willingness to co-operate, the WCO Secretariat, in partnership with the European Commission, Interpol and the UNODC, carried out a pilot operation named "COCAIR" in West and Central African countries from 8 to December 8, intended to strengthen anti-drug trafficking measures in international airports. The aim was to intercept shipments of cocaine and other drugs bound for Europe. The following countries took part in the Operation : West Africa Benin (Cotonou Airport) Burkina Faso (Ouagadougou Airport) Cape Verde (Praia, Santa Maria and Sao Vicente Airports) Côte d'ivoire (Abidjan Airport) Gambia (Banjul Airport) Ghana (Accra Airport) Guinea (Conakry Airport) Mali (Bamako Airport) Nigeria (Lagos and Abuja Airports) Senegal (Dakar Airport) Togo (Lomé Airport) Central Africa C a m e ro o n ( Ya o u n d é a n d D o u a l a Airports) Central African Republic (Bangui Airport) Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa and Lubumbashi Airports) Gabon (Libreville Airport) This Operation was implemented thanks to the establishment of a three-phase action plan : modification and use of CENcomm (Customs Enforcement Network, tailored to the Operation's requirements), establishment of an Operational Co-ordination Unit (OCU) in Dakar (Senegal), training for officers from participating services and provision of detection kits. Finally, the Western and Central Africa Regional Intelligence Liaison Offices (RILOs) were directly involved in the mechanism and played a decisive role in the implementation of Operation COCAIR. The Western Europe RILO also played an active role in this Operation, by setting up, for the duration thereof, a virtual OCU to relay information received from Dakar to the National Contact Points in the European countries which were the intended recipients of the consignments intercepted. From 8 to December 8, Customs services from the various countries involved in the Operation put the training they had received into practice : product recognition, risk analysis, targeting, selection and information and intelligence sharing. The moti- WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8 7

49 Special Items Ghanaian Customs detected one () kg of herbal cannabis in a handmade wooden board during Operation COCAIR. (Photos courtesy of Ghanaian Customs) vation and dynamism demonstrated by the WCO Secretariat, coupled with the first-rate co-operation that reigned with other experts from partner organizations, were reflected by a widespread marshalling of forces in the field. The responsiveness of the Directors General of Customs of the Member countries involved and the co-ordinated action by their services yielded results. This Operation, the first of its kind in Africa, was a resounding success. Over messages (warning messages, feedback messages and seizure messages) were shared via the WCO's secure communication system (CENcomm). significant seizures made during this Operation are worthy of special mention : Drug seizures : Cannabis : 3 seizures amounting to a total quantity of over kg. Cocaine : 3 seizures (.3 kg on the body, kg swallowed and kg in the soles of shoes). Heroin : seizure of.38 kg in the form of pellets ready to be swallowed. Seizures of capital : findings totalling over 39,, CFA francs (67, US dollars and, euro). There are strong suspicions that the source of these funds could be linked to organized crime activities. Seizures of arms and ammunition : findings ( rifle cartridges and two handguns). Seizures of African art objects : 88 kg of African art objects whose export is prohibited (see seizure message No. ). It is worth stressing that some of the seizures made in the course of the Operation are the first of their kind : the first seizure of drugs (3 g of heroin) at Libreville Inter national Airport (Gabon); the first seizure of drugs ( kg of cannabis) in postal freight being exported at Dakar Airport (Senegal); the first seizure of African art being exported (88 kg) at Bamako Airport (Mali). The export of African art is prohibited, unless the goods are accompanied by supporting documents duly stamped by the competent authorities. Over and above the seizures of drugs, capital, weapons and works of art, the main objectives sought by the Operation appear to have been met, especially in terms of : Heightening controls within West and Central Africa's main airports on flights bound for European countries or major North African hubs (Tripoli, Casablanca, Tunis and Algiers). Almost all the participating countries deployed heightened controls on sensitive flights. The export control mechanism was tested for the first time in the maj o r i t y o f c o u n t r i e s t a k i n g p a r t i n Operation COCAIR. Identifying natural and legal persons and organizations involved in this trafficking, within the scope of the legal provisions offered by each State's legislation. Raising the awareness of airport inspection services about smuggling risks on flights bound for European countries (direct flights or flights transiting via hubs) and via different vectors (especially postal freight and express courier at export, on which there are usually few inspections). A large number of Customs officers participating in Operation COCAIR were somewhat sceptical at the outset of the Operation. The transmission of (illustrated) information on seizures to inspection staff has created a healthy spirit of competition. The gathering of information on the status of cocaine trafficking originating in this sub-region, the assessment and analysis of this information in order to produce risk profiles and updated and relevant targeting criteria. The training given in Ouagadougou on product recognition, targeting of passengers and the redelivery of this training to field officers in the participating countries yielded results, since half the seizures made were thanks to instincts acquired during the training, especially in terms of analysis of passenger behaviour and utilizing passenger lists. Strengthening intelligence sharing between Customs and Police services on this phenomenon, as well as co-operation and information sharing between the regions involved, using the expertise and logistical resources made available by the WCO and Interpol. This objective was generally met during the Operation and continues to apply on a daily basis. This is undoubtedly the most tangible result. It goes without saying that the implementation of this Pilot Operation (COCAIR), l a r g e l y f u n d e d b y t h e E u r o p e a n Commission, has to fall within the scope of a much wider-reaching sustainable capacity building project for Customs administrations and other services with competence for combating drug trafficking in this region, over a minimum period of three to five years. 8 WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8

50 Special Items Operation Drug Stop Project AIRCOP Operation "Drug Stop" involving heightened controls to combat illicit trafficking in drugs and chemical precursors was carried out on 6 June 8 during International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, in all the (WCO Member countries). This Operation formed part of the Action Plan to combat drug trafficking, approved by the WCO Council in June 7. Directors General were given full scope to select the areas on which they wished to focus their efforts, based on their own country's specific requirements. Member countries participating in this Operation were given access to CENcomm (specially adapted for this purpose), in order to permit the input of data on seizures made as well as rapid and secure information sharing between Members. A total of 6 countries committed to take part in this Secretariat initiative, together with eight (8) Regional Intelligence Liaison Offices (RILOs). Over one hundred experts connected up to CENcomm simultaneously to enter data and share information over the course of 6 June 8. The results obtained during this one-day Operation were highly satisfactory : 8 seizures were reported by some thirty countries Over 3 kg of drugs of all categories and, tablets of psychotropic substances were seized Three particularly significant seizures are worth mentioning : - 7 kg of cocaine found in an express parcel leaving Venezuela en route for Spain - 3 kg of opium intercepted in the freight sector at Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport in France, destined for Canada - 3 kg of cannabis resin discovered in a vehicle leaving Tangiers port (Morocco) en route for Europe. The top five countries in terms of the number of seizures made are the United Kingdom, Sweden, Poland, France and Norway. These results, presented during the Council Sessions on 7 June 8, were welcomed by all the Directors General of Customs in attendance. A press release was circulated on the WCO Web site and an article published in the October 8 issue of WCO News (Issue No. 7). This Operation further demonstrates that the Customs community as a whole, which is responsible for a great many drug seizures throughout the world, is highly mobilized in the drug enforcement domain and has sized up the challenge by moving from an understanding of the threat to action in the field. An assessment of Operation "Drug Stop" showed that the CENcomm communication tool used for the purposes of the Operation functioned perfectly by meeting our Members' expectations. However, several participating countries asked that CENcomm access be granted to a greater number of users during future operations, and that each Member designate a National Contact Point. This proposal was greeted favourably by the Secretariat, since there are no system restrictions on the number of users for one or even several operations carried out at the same time. It was also stressed that operations lasting only one day were difficult to conduct on a worldwide scale. Indeed, a minimum duration of one week might be more realistic in operational terms and would make it possible to iron out any problems as a result of time differences. In response to a number of requests by Members and mindful of the importance of ensuring that CENcomm is used by as many countries as possible, the Secretariat has taken the initiative to translate this tool into French. It will also shortly be available in Russian, Spanish, Arabic and German. Finally, the Secretariat wishes to recall that for each operation, users are invited to test CENcomm during the pre-operational phase (with the parameters being set as a result), in order to ensure optimum system performance. Other operations, focusing on combating drug trafficking, cigarette smuggling and environmental crime initiated by the Secretariat or by RILOs have been implemented following Operation "Drug Stop", to the greatest satisfaction of Member countries and international organizations working in partnership with Customs in these domains. Nowadays, information and intelligence sharing between enforcement services is vital in order to see investigations into transnational organized crime through to a successful conclusion. Without such information and intelligence sharing, it is impossible to devise enforcement strategies and implement rapid, effective and operational actions. To date, and for all practical purposes, information exchange between airport authorities in South America, Europe and Africa is non-existent. The information which is vital in order to fight drug trafficking effectively in an airport of a neighbouring transit country or country of final destination is generally not transmitted, simply due to a lack of means of communication. This dearth of resources is often compounded by an absence of co-operation between enforcement services within the same country. These basic communication and co-operation problems could effectively be overcome by setting up joint operational task forces within the selected airports which would have real-time access to a user-friendly communication hub linking the airports, backed up by regular meetings between counterparts. These measures would establish trust and co-operation between the different services, the Customs officers themselves and the countries involved. Project "AIRCOP" is consequently aimed at enhancing border controls and management, especially in Africa's international airports, through heightened co-operation between countries at regional level, as well as more effective information sharing and analysis. In particular, the Project implementation will be based on a proactive approach in terms of sharing, using and supplementing intelligence. This Project will be managed by three international Organizations working in the field of combating trafficking in drugs and chemical precursors, namely the UNODC, the WCO and Interpol, with funding for the Project being provided by the European Commission. These three Organizations will WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8 9

51 Special Items work together in a co-ordinated, effective and appropriate manner to build the services' enforcement capacities, as this is a vital aspect of the Project which has to be implemented as a matter of urgency. Due to infrastructure weaknesses within many African regions, it is suggested that Customs and Police communication systems already well-established at international level and which are user-friendly, effective, practical, operational and longterm be used and consequently deployed. Joint task forces consisting, for example, of Police, Customs, immigration services and port authorities will be created. They will be given equipment and training and a mentoring system will be set up. This Project will be rolled out in several phases. In terms of improving communication, the Project will provide the selected airports w i t h a c c e s s t o t h e W C O C u s t o m s Enforcement Network communication system ("CENcomm") as well as Interpol's "I-/7" system and its related databases. These systems will offer safe and secure realtime communication as well as access to extremely comprehensive enforcement databases. The main advantage of installing these two systems is that they provide access to Police information through the Interpol databases (stolen/lost travel documents, personal/crime data, wanted persons, fingerprints, etc.), as well as to the WCO CENcomm system. The latter is an effective and complementary tool which will enable Customs officers working in airport task forces to share information and to access other types of information such as trends in smuggling, modus operandi, places of concealment, etc. The use of CENcomm and I-/7 as realtime operational communication tools between airports provides joint cross-border communication hubs at control points where it is crucial to share information as quickly as possible. Given that these two systems are established worldwide, it will be extremely easy to link up the airports of supply, transit and destination countries. The Project will also involve organizing twice-yearly meetings with the contact points of the task force of each airport participating in the Project and representatives of European and North American airports as observers. The UNODC will organize and facilitate these meetings with representatives of the WCO and Interpol by providing advice and expertise. These twice-yearly meetings will also help the Project Steering Group to determine the outlook and direction and to more effectively pinpoint activities and priorities. More importantly still, these meetings will make it possible to establish personal contact between officials from airport enforcement services, which will subsequently help to facilitate communication in the interests of greater efficiency. Project AIRCOP also provides for an e-bulletin to be issued every two months, bringing participants up to date about significant seizures, trends, alerts originating in other parts of the world, "best practices", progress regarding the Project implementation, etc. The objective is for the parties to take operational ownership of the Project. To sum up, Project AIRCOP aims to implement the following activities in particular : Promote co-operation between airport services by setting up joint task forces consisting, by way of example, of Customs, police, the immigration service, airport authorities, airline companies, etc. Build links between supply countries and all the African airports participating in the Project. Install the WCO CENcomm system in the airport premises. This communication tool will be tailored to the specific requirements defined by the joint task forces. All the players working in these task forces will have authority to access CENcomm. Conduct a technical assessment for the purposes of deploying Interpol's I-/7 system in the selected airports and negotiate the roll-out and implementation of the system. Provide joint task force members with the requisite equipment : computers, drug and precursor detection kits, urine testing kits, etc. Give intelligence and risk profiling training, focusing on identifying drug traffickers and suspicious goods, freight and parcels. WCO and Interpol experts will be called on to this end. Convene twice-yearly meetings of heads of airport units, assisted by technical staff f ro m I n t e r p o l, t h e W C O a n d t h e UNODC, to develop information exchange and sharing as well as operational co-operation. Set up international mentoring programmes aimed at enforcement staff from local airports. Produce and publish a user-friendly guide consolidating information relating to drug smugglers arrested. The precise list of countries participating in the pilot phase of Project AIRCOP has not yet been decided, but contact will be made with the relevant services during the second half of 9, given that the Project should commence before the year is out. WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8

52 Statistical appendices The tables give an overview of the number of seizures and the quantity seized for the main types of drugs. OPIATES Heroin Morphine Opium Poppy straw No. of Quantity No. of Quantity No. of Quantity No. of Quantity seizures (Kg) seizures (Kg) seizures (Kg) seizures (Kg) Asia and the Pacific 393, , CIS Region 8,6.8 6, Eastern and Central Europe 9, Eastern and Southern Africa Middle East ,.9 South America 8.7 Western Europe 8, Grand Total,8 9,79.9 9, ,83.6 COCAINE Cocaine Cocaine base Cocaine solution Crack No. of Quantity No. of Quantity No. of Quantity No. of Quantity seizures (Kg) seizures (Kg) seizures (Kg) seizures (Kg) Asia and the Pacific Caribbean CIS Region 3.8. Eastern and Central Europe Eastern and Southern Africa 6 7. Middle East North Africa.. South America 6, West Africa Western Europe,9 36, Grand Total,76, CANNABIS Herbal cannabis Cannabis liquid/oil Cannabis - other Cannabis resin No. of Quantity No. of Quantity No. of Quantity No. of Quantity seizures (Kg) seizures (Kg) seizures (Kg) seizures (Kg) Asia and the Pacific 3, ,.3 Caribbean Central Africa 8. CIS Region 8, Eastern and Central Europe Eastern and Southern Africa 38 3, Middle East ,67. North Africa 38 3,37.7 South America 9 6, West Africa 8 3,9. Western Europe,9, ,37 63,6.9 Grand Total,997, ,89 36,. WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8

53 Statistical appendices PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES Amphetamine Benzodiazepam No. of Quantity No. of Quantity No. of Quantity No. of Quantity seizures (Kg) seizures (tabs) seizures (Kg) seizures (tabs) Asia and the Pacific ,7 Caribbean CIS Region ,3 Eastern and Central Europe 3 3.,67 9 Eastern and Southern Africa Middle East 3,8,66 8 8, South America. 7. Western Europe,7., ,3 Grand Total 83 3,7. 6 3,67, ,, PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES MDMA (ecstasy) Methamphetamine No. of Quantity No. of Quantity No. of Quantity No. of Quantity seizures (Kg) seizures (tabs) seizures (Kg) seizures (tabs) Asia and the Pacific 66.3,798 8,7. 7,9 Caribbean. CIS Region , Eastern and Central Europe 7.3,9 3. Middle East,7 Western Europe , Grand Total ,,6.7 8,86 WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8

54 Statistical appendices Remarkable large seizures made in 8 COCAINE CEN id Date Country Location Concealment Route Conveyance Quantity (Kg) 96 8//8 Argentina Cabo Vallejos In transport : AR-AR Coach/bus 7,3 Coach/Bus : Luggage area : 8 /6/8 Spain La Coruna In transport : Vessel : VE-ES Vessel :,8 On board Commercial 637 /8/8 Spain Playa de In transport : CO-ES Vessel : 3,87 a Lanzada Vessel Fishing vessel 636 //8 Spain Bueu In transport : UN-ES Vessel :,887 (Pontevedra) Vessel Speed boat 9 3/7/8 Spain High seas In transport : VE-ES Vessel :, Vessel Fishing vessel 87 /7/8 Spain Vigo In transport : UN-ES Vessel : Other,7 Vessel : Other 333 //8 Portugal Lisbon In freight : VE-DO-IT-PT Vessel :,39 Sea Commercial //8 Argentina Buenos Aires In premises AR-ES Unknow, 76 7/8/8 Spain High seas In transport : UN-ES Vessel : 8 Vessel Yacht 736 8/6/8 Belgium Antwerp In freight : Sea CO-BS-BE Vessel : 6 Commercial : Container ship HEROIN CEN id Date Country Location Concealment Route Conveyance Quantity (Kg) 9 7/3/8 Kazakhstan Koustanaï In transport : UZ-KZ-RU Truck/Lorry 38 Truck/Lorry 97 6//8 Turkey Edirne In transport UN-TR-DE Truck/Lorry 6/9/8 Turkey Gurbulak In transport : IR-TR-IT Truck/Lorry 3 Truck/Lorry : In structure 93 9/3/8 Russian Fed. Petukhovo In transport : UZ-RU Truck/Lorry 33 Truck/Lorry : In load area : In structure /3/8 Turkey Gurbulak In transport : IR-TR-HU Truck/Lorry 7 Truck/Lorry : In load area : In structure /8/8 Turkey Gurbulak In transport : IR-TR-AT Truck/Lorry 7 Truck/Lorry : Exterior : In structure 699 3//8 Turkey Kocaely In transport : TR-DE-NL Truck/Lorry 69 Truck/Lorry : Exterior : Fuel tank 98 //8 Bulgaria Burgas In transport : IR-AZ-GE-BG Truck/Lorry Truck/Lorry : Exterior : In structure 3 8/8/8 Turkey Edirne In transport : UN-TR-DE Truck/Lorry Truck/Lorry : Exterior : In structure 983 //8 Turkey Zonguldak In transport : IR-TR-UA Truck/Lorry Truck/Lorry : In load area WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8 3

55 Statistical appendices HERBAL CANNABIS CEN id Date Country Location Concealment Conveyance Route Quantity (Kg) 93 8/6/8 Netherlands Amsterdam In freight : Sea Vessel : Commercial : GH-NL 9, Other 9 /6/8 Ghana Asikuma In freight : Road Truck/Lorry : GH 7, Container lorry 89 /6/8 Paraguay Pedro Juan Not concealed Other PY 6, Caballero 637 //8 Germany Hamburg In freight : Sea Vessel : Commercial : GH-DE,7 Container ship 83 3/6/8 Paraguay Canindeyu Not concealed Unknow PY,3 3//8 United Kingdom London In freight : air Air : Commercial ZA-GB,6 8 //8 Belgium Antwerp In freight : Sea Vessel : Commercial : GH-BE-NL 3,8 Container ship 3//8 United Kingdom Felixstowe In freight : Sea : Vessel : Commercial : UN-GB 3, Containerized Container ship 3 /3/8 Belarus Brest In transport : Car/passenger Car/passenger van UA-BY,6 van : Boot : In spare wheel //8 United Kingdom Felixstowe In freight : Sea : Vessel : Commercial : CA-GB,6 Containerized Container ship CANNABIS RESIN CEN id Date Country Location Concealment Conveyance Route Quantity (Kg) //8 United Kingdom Southampton In transport : Vessel MA-GB, Vessel 937 //8 Vietnam Quang Ninh In freight: Vehicle PK-VN-CN-CA 8,8 province 339 //8 Spain Alicante In transport : Vessel MA-ES 7,7 Vessel //8 Yemen Shehen In freight : Sea Vessel : Commercial UN-YE 7, 8 3//8 Pakistan Near Hub Village In transport Truck/Lorry PK-UN, Ormara 89 6/9/8 Spain Rio Guadalquivir In transport : Vessel : Speed boat MA-ES,3 (Cadiz) Vessel 669 3//8 Spain Cartagena In transport : Vessel : Yacht MA-ES,6 (Murcia) Vessel 87 9/7/8 Spain Cartagena In transport : Vessel : Yacht MA-ES, (Murcia) Vessel 7 //8 Spain Almeria Recovered from sea/beach Vehicle : MA-ES,9 Delivery van 7//8 Morocco Tangiers In transport : Car/passenger van Car/passenger van MA-ES,3 WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8

56 Statistical appendices AMPHETAMINES CEN id Date Country Location Route Concealment Conveyance Quantity (Kg) 373 7/8/8 Yemen Aden SY-SA-YE-DJ-YE Other Vessel, //8 Yemen Hodeida SY-YE Other Vessel, /6/8 India Mumbai IN-UN In transport Delivery van 83 //8 United Kingdom Dover FR-GB In freight : Road Truck/Lorry //8 Saudi Arabia Halet ammar SY-SA In transport Truck/Lorry 6 3 /8/8 Yemen Hodeida SY-SA-YE Other Vessel /6/8 Saudi Arabia Hadeitha JO-SA In transport Car/passenger van /6/8 Saudi Arabia Hadeitha JO-SA In transport Car/passenger van 39 6//8 United Kingdom Felixstowe NL-GB In freight : Road Truck/Lorry /9/8 Saudi Arabia Halet ammar SY-SA In transport Truck/Lorry 3 3 8/9/8 Saudi Arabia Hadeitha SY-SA In transport Car/passenger van //8 Saudi Arabia Hadeitha SY-JO-SA In transport Truck/Lorry 8 MDMA (Ecstasy) CEN id Date Country Location Route Concealment Conveyance Quantity (Kg) 3 /6/8 Australia Melbourne CA-AU In freight : Sea Vessel : Commercial. 337 //8 Bulgaria Kalotina NL-RS-BG-TR In transport : Car/.9 Interior : In structure passenger van 687 6//8 Australia Perth UN-AU In freight : Sea Vessel. 3//8 United Kingdom Harwich NL-GB In freight : Road Truck/lorry //8 Japan Narita NL-JP In baggage : Suitcase Air : Commercial /3/8 Russian Ivangorod NL-EE-RU In transport : Car/ 6.9 Federation Car/passenger van : Interior passenger van 863 //8 France Paris MX-FR In baggage Air : Commercial.6 9 //8 France Courcy NL-BE-FR-ES In baggage Coach/bus /7/8 Israel Tel Aviv DE-IL In mail Mail 9.3 8//8 United Kingdom Dover LT-GB In transport Vehicle 8. WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8

57 Statistical appendices Main Departure and Intended Destination Countries for the Main Drug Type By weight COCAINE Departure No. of seizures Quantity (Kg) Destination No. of seizures Quantity (Kg) Argentina 638,6 Spain,3,87 Venezuela 9,37 Argentina 7 7,6 Colombia 8 7,97 Netherlands,8 3,9 Unknow 78 6,9 Belgium 68 3,7 Ecuador 66,83 Portugal 73 3,63 Brazil 63,87 United Kingdom 99, Peru 6,7 Italy 33,99 Dominican France 9 9 Republic Antigua 73 6 Australia 66 9 Suriname 6,83 South Africa HEROIN Departure No. of seizures Quantity (Kg) Destination No. of seizures Quantity (Kg) Unknown 9,8 United Kingdom 69,3 Iran,787 Russian Federation,77 Turkey 8,73 Germany 93,38 Uzbekistan 6,66 Bulgaria 8.9 Netherlands 9 Italy 33 Pakistan 3 98 Netherlands 7 India 9 India Tajikistan 8 98 Hungary 6 Bulgaria 66 Romania 6 6 Belgium 3 33 Unknown 3 HERBAL CANNABIS Departure No. of seizures Quantity (Kg) Destination No. of seizures Quantity (Kg) Ghana 8 39,86 United Kingdom,33,3 Paraguay 6,3 Netherlands,9 Argentina.639 Argentina 39,8 South Africa 99,67 Paraguay,3 India 9,8 Bangladesh 7 9,66 Unknown 6,69 Ghana 7 7, Kenya 3,9 Germany 93,96 Netherlands 8 3, Kenya 38 3,6 Jamaica 3,7 Burkina Faso 3,37 Mali 9,87 Brazil 3,9 CANNABIS RESIN Departure No. of seizures Quantity (Kg) Destination No. of seizures Quantity (Kg) Morocco 786,9 Spain,6,9 Spain 68 37,3 United Kingdom 33, Pakistan 9,33 Unknown,6 Unknown 3 9,73 France,99 Netherlands 8 7,6 Canada 3 9, France,9 Netherlands 7 7,36 Senegal,39 Italy 77 7,7 Denmark Yemen 7, Belgium 8 Ukraine,3 South Africa 6 3 Belgium 3,88 6 WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8

58 Statistical appendices AMPHETAMINES Departure No. of seizures Quantity (Kg) Destination No. of seizures Quantity (Kg) Syria 68 7, Saudi Arabia 79 6,7 Jordan,9 Yemen 9 3, Netherlands,7 United Kingdom 9,7 India 87 Unknown 9 France 78 Norway 3 96 Unknown 38 7 Jordan 7 Belgium 66 Sweden Lithuania 6 Germany 8 93 Bulgaria 3 6 United Arab Emirates 69 Egypt 6 Syria 9 MDMA (Ecstasy) Departure No. of seizures Quantity (Kg) Destination No. of seizures Quantity (Kg) Netherlands Australia 67. Canada. Turkey 6. Unknown 9.3 United Kingdom. Germany 3.6 Japan 6.3 Mexico.6 Russian Federation Lithuania 8. France 6.3 Denmark 8. Spain 3. Brazil.6 Switzerland. Chile. Poland 9. Belgium.3 Israel 9.3 METHAMPHETAMINES Departure No. of seizures Quantity (Kg) Destination No. of seizures Quantity (Kg) Chinese Taipai 77. Philippines 77. Unknown Japan 33.7 Laos 8, Australia 78.8 Canada.9 Thailand China Myanmar 3.6 Myanmar 6 9. China 9. Lithuania 38.8 Republic of Korea 9.9 Thailand 7.8 Indonesia. Cambodia.6 Sweden. Poland 3. Norway.9 KHAT Departure No. of seizures Quantity (Kg) Destination No. of seizures Quantity (Kg) Netherlands 8 8,899 Denmark 6,89 Denmark 7,96 Norway 9,768 Sweden 6,69 Sweden 8,33 United Kingdom 8 3,38 United States 9,6 Unknown 8,6 Germany,7 Kenya,78 Finland 6,6 Belgium 3, Switzerland France 3 6 Canada 9 8 Germany 6 8 Unknown 3 3 Luxembourg France 38 WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8 7

59 Contact Contact WCO CEN TEAM BRUSSELS Tel: (switchboard) - ext. 38 Fax: cis@wcoomd.org WESTERN EUROPE GERMANY ZOLLKRIMINALAMT (ZKA) Bergisch Gladbacher Str Cologne Tel: 9 67 Fax: office@rilo-we.org CENTRAL/EASTERN EUROPE - POLAND POLISH CUSTOMS SERVICE MINISTRY OF FI- NANCE -96 Warsaw. Poland Swietokrzyska Str. Tel: Fax: riloece@rilo-waw.pl EASTERN/SOUTHERN AFRICA - KENYA KENYA REVENUE AUTHORITY Customs Services Department, Forodha House st Floor, Ngong Road, Upper Hill P.O. Box 736 Nairobi Tel: 7 93 Fax: rilo.esa@kra.go.ke CENTRAL AFRICA CAMEROON DIRECTION GENERALE DES DOUANES, Quai de la marine B.P. 9 Douala Tel: or Fax: or rilobrlr@yahoo.com CIS RUSSIAN FEDERATION CENTRAL ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT OF THE FEDERAL CUSTOMS SERVICE Novozavodskaja Street / 87 Moscow Tel: / Fax: / rilo-moscow@gubk.customs.ru ASIA/PACIFIC CHINA CHINESE CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATION th Floor. East Wing. Jia. Guang Hua Road - Chao Yang District 6 Beijing Tel: Fax: rilo-beijing@rilo-ap.org NORTH AFRICA - MOROCCO ADMINISTRATION DES DOUANES ET IMPÔTS INDIRECTS Avenue Annakhil. Hay Ryad. Rabat Tel: Fax: brlr.rilo.naf@douane.gov.ma WEST AFRICA - SENEGAL Rue René Ndiaye. Angle Carde B.P. 33 Dakar Tel: 8 8 Fax: brlrao@douanes.sn MIDDLE EAST SAUDI ARABIA CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT P.O. Box Riyadh Tel: Fax: rilo_riyadh@yahoo.com SOUTH AMERICA - CHILE DIRECCIÓN NACIONAL DE ADUANAS Plaza Sotomayor. 6 Valparaiso Tel: Fax: / rilosa@aduana.cl JOINT INTELLIGENCE OF- FICE (JIO) CARIBBEAN CCLEC CARIBBEAN CUS- TOMS LAW ENFORCEMENT COUNCIL.Manoel Street P.O.Box 3 Castries. St. Lucia Tel: Fax: jio@candw.lc or jio@cclec.net WCO CEN Team RILO Eastern and Central Europe RILO Western Europe RILO CIS countries RILO Asia and the Pacific RILO South America RILO North Africa RILO West Africa RILO Central Africa RILO Eastern and Southern Africa RILO Middle East CCLEC Caribbean Belgium Poland Germany Russian Federation China Chile Morocco Senegal Cameroon Kenya Saudi Arabia St. Lucia Chile St. Lucia 8 WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8

60 Contact Russian Federation Germany Belgium Poland China Morocco Saudi Arabia Senegal Cameroon Kenya WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8 9

61 WCO Mission Statement The World Customs Organization is internationally acknowledged as the global centre of Customs expertise and plays a leading role in the discussion, development, promotion and implementation of modern and secure Customs systems and procedures. It is responsive to the needs of its Members and its strategic environment, and its instruments and best-practice approaches are recognized as the basis for sound Customs administration throughout the world. WCO Vision Statement The World Customs Organization is an independent intergovernmental body whose mission is to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of Member Customs administrations, thereby assisting them to contribute successfully to national development goals, particularly in the areas of trade facilitation, revenue collection, community protection and national security. Acknowledgements The World Customs Organization is very grateful for the specific contributions to this annual report provided by all Regional Intelligence Liaison Offices and their National Contact Points, including use of their bulletins; the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB). ICPO/INTERPOL and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). 6 WCO ANNUAL REPORT 8

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