The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) has published its global report for 2021. Highlights from this report are presented below.
Drug trafficking is a lucrative illicit business for organized criminal groups because of an increase in the use of drugs globally. Its cross-border nature makes it important that countries of the world come together to check the illicit financial flows this crime generates. To help in this cause, the INCB has provided some recommendations. For example, countries should establish specialized task forces at the national and international levels to share intelligence. The INCB Global Rapid Interdiction of Dangerous Substances (GRIDS) Program promotes information-sharing among law enforcement authorities to remove dangerous substances from the markets. Countries should also adopt more effective transparency laws and strengthen their AML frameworks. Further, global efforts should focus on both drug supply- and demand-reduction strategies. INCB also recommends that social media companies regulate their platforms to curb the promotion of recreational drug use.
The INCB further reports that global trends in drug use and trafficking are concerning. Africa is likely to witness a higher number of people using drugs over the next decade. Also, more and more African nations are now allowing the cultivation of cannabis for medical purposes, primarily for export purposes. Meanwhile, drug overdose-related mortality increased further in Canada and the US in 2021. In South America, criminal organizations have increased their shipment sizes to make up for their financial suffering amid the pandemic. Moreover, air and sea routes have become the means of choice for transporting internationally controlled substances. The use of dark web and social media to sell drugs has also risen in this region.
The INCB has expressed concern over the increase in the manufacture, trafficking and use of synthetic drugs in East and South-East Asia. Moreover, South Asia continues to have one of the highest rates of opiate use in the world. Yet, the INCB has highlighted that medically-useful narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances are not available in sufficient amounts in many countries of South, East and South-East Asia. In Europe, law enforcement agencies have been able to seize encrypted communication devices of criminal organizations, giving the authorities critical information on any illicit activities. European drug trafficking routes have also changed from land to sea. Meanwhile, in Oceania, drug trafficking is on the rise, like elsewhere. In fact, criminals are using small boats to traffic drugs, particularly to Australia and New Zealand.