LAT: West Africa a new hub in cocaine trafficking (European Market Booming)

[ellisonz]

West Africa a new hub in cocaine trafficking
The shift in smuggling routes to Europe has law enforcement officials worried.
By Sebastian Rotella and Chris Kraul, Times Staff Writers
March 14, 2007

MADRID — A landmark shift in trafficking routes has transformed West Africa into a hub for cocaine smuggled from South America to a booming European market, anti-drug officials on three continents say.

Traffickers have established a haven and transit area along the Gulf of Guinea to elude aggressive efforts to seize cocaine headed to Europe. Anti-drug officials fear the new route will worsen lawlessness in African countries already overwhelmed by crime, poverty and instability.

Colombian gangsters have brought their swagger to the tiny West African country of Guinea-Bissau, setting up elaborate front companies, tooling around in flashy cars and allegedly buying high-level protection. The use of drug "mules" has increased dramatically: A single flight arriving in Amsterdam from Morocco in December carried 32 West African passengers who had swallowed cocaine packets or concealed them in their luggage.

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The United States is the world's top market for cocaine, but use is declining. In Europe, demand has hit all-time highs, led by Britain, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands. A kilo (2.2 pounds) of cocaine brings about $45,000 in Europe, compared with about $25,000 in the U.S.

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http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-coke14mar14,0,4828102.story?coll=la-home-headlines

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