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EMCDDA Cannabis Supply reduction meeting

EMCDDA Cannabis Supply reduction meeting. Lisbon, 29th November 2004


16 December 2004, Lisbon, Ignacio Vazquez Molini

1. Introductory remarks
The above-mentioned experts meeting on Cannabis Supply reduction was convened by the EMCDDA at its headquarters in Lisbon. The main purpose of this expert meeting was to contribute to the preparation drafting work of a future EMCDDA monograph of cannabis. The final version of the agenda, together with the list of external experts and EMCDDA staff attending the meeting, is attached at the end of this document. The EMCDDA takes this opportunity to thank once again all participants for their valuable contributions. In the preparation framework of the meeting, participants were kindly invited to reflect and submit views on the following questions: 1. EMCDDA regularly receives information on seizures, prices and purity. How could this information validly be enriched with additional elements concerning, e.g. main cannabis origins, trafficking routes, most current places where seizures occurred, different systems used for trafficking? Would it be possible to describe traffickers and their organizational trends? 2. To what extent does cannabis produced within the E.U. represent a clear concern for law enforcement activities? Would it be possible to identify information on this specific type of seizures, together with information on producers, traffickers and main production regions? 3. Would it be possible to describe where and how main law enforcement efforts are taking place? Could it be possible to describe what are the most relevant law enforcement projects having a direct impact on cannabis supply reduction? Would it be possible to identify direct consequences of these projects on the currently trafficking trends?
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EMCDDA Cannabis Supply reduction meeting

4. To what extent is international co-operation relevant in the fight against cannabis supply? To what extent is co-operation between different law enforcement agencies a key element? Would it be possible to assess if some third countries law enforcement operations have a direct impact in trafficking towards the E.U.? 5. Would it be possible to determine the amount of illegal proceeds arising from cannabis trafficking? Would it be possible to describe some cases where these proceeds have been seized? 6. Any other comments: In addition, participants received from the EMCDDA a number of documents intended to ease the general exchange of views. A list of these documents is also attached at the end of this document.

2. Summary of the presentation made by Mr. Pierre Bertrand, (World Customs Organization; Regional Intelligence Liaison office for Western Europe), and of the exchange of views
First of all, the organization, work priorities and work products of the RILO Western Europe were introduced. This Regional office is hosted by the Zollkriminalamt in Germany. For the time being, it has 21 member countries and 8 staff members (analysts and data processors). Among the objectives of the RILO belong the elaboration of periodical statistics, the elaboration of general and trend analysis, together wit alert and risk analyses for operational actions. This RILO works on different kind of products and substances. Concerning the specific question on drugs, one could underline the importance of the WCO Annual report Customs and Drugs, produced with the contribution of the RILO Western Europe. Other important reports are, for instance, the Strategy to combat drug smuggling on the silk route, the Analytical support for operational exercises or the Review of drug seizures at European airports. Concerning the more concrete question of cannabis seizures in Europe during the period 2002 and 2003, the first point to be taken into consideration is that only custom or joint units seizures are taken into account. Secondly, only seizures above one kilogram are considered relevant. Under these circumstances, 2003 could be considered as a record year of cannabis resin seizures in Western Europe. In fact, the number of seizures increased by 18% in comparison with the previous year (from 1111 to 1272). Concerning quantities, the increase was even more spectacular: 30% (from 220 tons to 285 tons) Spain accounts for 68% of the quantity seized (increase by 50%), while France accounts for 20% (increase by 50%) Concerning means of transportation, the following figures may be retained: vessel 56%; vehicle 42%; air 1%; mail 0.1%.

EMCDDA Cannabis Supply reduction meeting

Countries of origin may be summarized as follows: Morocco 75%; Spain 19%; Netherlands 2%; Unknown 2%; Belgium 1%; France 1%. Principal routing are: Morocco-Spain; Morocco-Spain-France; Morocco-Spain-Belgium; Netherlands-Germany; Spain-France-United Kingdom; Spain-France-Italy. Among the exceptional seizures in 2003, one can underline the following: 7.385 kg in a lorry in Bayonne, France (routing Morocco-Spain-France); 5.434 kg in high seas at Spanish shore (routing Montserrat-Spain); 4.360 kg in a boat at A Corua, Spain (routing Morocco-Spain); 4.067 kg in a lorry in Montpellier, France (routing Morocco-Spain-France-United Kingdom); 3.870 kg in a lorry at Les Ulis, France, (routing Spain-FranceNetherlands). Concerning herbal cannabis in 2003, the main element to be retained consists in the considerable decrease in the quantity seized. In fact, the number of seizures decreased from 531 to 496 (-4%), while the quantity decreased from 64 tons to 36 tons (-56%). Belgium accounts for 39% of the herbal cannabis quantity seized. The United Kingdom accounts for 25 %. The principal means of transportation are: vessel 57%; vehicle 27%; air 14%; mail 1%. Principle countries of origin are: Thailand, Ghana, Netherlands, Jamaica, Albania, Nigeria, Honduras, Germany and South Africa. Thailand remains the main origin (39%), followed by Ghana (14%), Jamaica (11%) and Albania (8%). Principal routing are: Netherlands-Germany; Jamaica-United-Kingdom; Netherlands-Germany-Poland; SouthAfrica-United-Kingdom, Curao-United-Kingdom. Some exceptional seizures in 2003 were: 6.402 kg in a container at Antwerp (routing South-Africa-Belgium); 4282 kg in a container at Rotterdam (routing Thailand-Senegal-Netherlands); 3.740 kg in a container in Antwerp (routing Ghana-Germany-Belgium) Finally, concerning cannabis oil, 1 case was reported in 2002, while 12 cases were reported in 2003. Spain reported 8 seizures (103 kg); United-Kingdom 2 seizures (6 kg); France 1 seizure (24 kg); Sweden 1 seizure (1.2 kg). Among the different topics discussed during the exchange of views, one may underline the following: Consumers reported perception of a bad quality of cannabis originating from Morocco. Different explanations may be retained for this phenomenon: quicker herbal drying system under direct sun exposure; important cannabis quantities recovered by traffickers directly on beaches after some period on the sea water, following police and customs operations.

EMCDDA Cannabis Supply reduction meeting

Internal production in some countries could be extremely important (one could compare consumer average and customs results to draw this picture). This possibility is even stronger after the dismantlement of a number of important production plants using modern sophisticated equipment. In general terms, it is perceived that the European Union should increase its role in the coordination pf activities and exchange of information. In this perspective, for instance, one may not understand why the Drug Trafficking working party at the Council, which played a substantial role, was not maintained. A better cooperation between customs and police should be facilitated at all levels.

3. Summary of the presentation made by Mr. Arno Kooij, Risk manager, Rotterdam Port Customs, and of the exchange of views
Following a general introduction on how the Dutch customs are organized, the key phases in the custom process were presented, together with the cyclical process of risk management. The different levels of risksanalyses imply: strategic analyses; tactical analyses and operational analyses. Concerning tactical analysis, the following steps may be retained: updating irregularities, establishment of databases, datamining, webmining, analysing queries, statistics and trends, reporting frauds, adjusting control measures and analysing normal patterns. On this last point, the following important actions may be noted: deviation from normal patterns, or strange patterns, selection based on automated method, establishment of selection parameters, detection of unknown risks or blind spots, detection based on country of origin or type of goods. To have an idea on the importance of containers traffic, one has to retain that more than 8.2 millions containers per year cross the Rotterdam port. Under these circumstances, the process of controlling incoming goods implies to act as quickly as possible, trying not to interfere in the normal goods movement. A number of indicators have been established identifying risk parameters. These parameters are based on historical investigations, discussions among experts, and a previous list of risk indicators. The material detection is normally carried out using scans (container scans, airport freight scans, or mobile scans), sniffer dogs, and through physical inspection. Among the different questions raised during the exchange of views, the following points may be underlined: The whole system should ideally be evaluated periodically. This evaluation process could be usefully shared afterwards by a large number of partners. Even if a calculation on the amount of shipments directly involving drug trafficking is missing, an approximate percentage could be estimated based on practical results. The rate on containers exporting controls is rather low when compared with the containers importing controls. One could establish this percentage around 1.5%. However, a number of

EMCDDA Cannabis Supply reduction meeting

practical elements could suggest the importance of a bigger effort on this topic at European level, which could result in an increased and more effective international co-operation.

4. Summary of the presentation introduced by Mr. Toon van der Heijden (researcher, police, The Netherlands), on estimating consumption and production of cannabis in The Netherlands, and of the exchange of views
The basic data for estimating consumption are: the size of population, last year prevalence, number of consumption days per annum, number of joints per day and the amount of cannabis per joint. Concerning the last year prevalence for cannabis in 2001 in the Netherlands, the following figures could be retained: 5.0% of general population of more than 12 years old (Abraham et al. in 2002): meaning 680.000 persons; 6.1% of general population between 15-64 years old (EMCDDA in 2003), meaning 661.000 people. Concerning the number of consumption days per annum, pending on different sources, one may establish the following figures: 109-130 or 98-115 days a year. In relation with annual consumption per user, depending as well on different sources, the figures could be: minimum 36 gr, maximum 78 gr. Taking into account the previous figures, the estimation of consumption at national level may be established between a minimum of 23.8 tons and a maximum of 53.0 tons (average 38.4), while the consumption at the EU-15 could be between 663 tons and 1.437 tons (average 1.050 tons). Concerning the type of cannabis consumed, according to Cohen and Sas in 1989, the figures are: nederwiet 38%; cannabis resin 25%; no preference 34%. The study by Korf at al. in 2002 states the following figures: cannabis herb 58%; cannabis resin 27%; no preference 15%. In relation with the estimates of production, according to very different studies, data vary from 38 tons and 250 tons. These estimations rely on the following basic data: size of population, last year prevalence, proportion of last year users who produced cannabis themselves (home growers), average number of plants per nursery, number of harvest per annum and average amount of product per plant. Concerning the concrete topic of nurseries size, according to different studies the number of plants varies from 100 to 591. Nurseries dismantled during the period 2003-2004 mostly had less than 1000 plants each. The most current average is between 100 and 300 plants. With these figures, different studies estimate the annual production per plant between 22 grams and 29.4 grams. One could underline the fact that production per nursery is strongly influenced by the size of the

EMCDDA Cannabis Supply reduction meeting

nursery, number of harvests, developmental stage of plants, number of plants per square meter and the amount of artificial light. Under these estimations, one could draw the following figures: the national Dutch production is between 184 and 1.734 tons. The national consumption is between 24 and 53 tons. The quantities seized in The Netherlands are 39 tons, while the Dutch cannabis seized abroad is between 1 and 6 tons. However, these data seems not to be realistic. One could especially question the retained nurseries size, which could be in fact much different. The following conclusions may be drawn: National production exceeds consumption; Estimating consumption is easier than estimating production; Number and size of nurseries are difficult to estimate; Most cannabis consumed is produced domestically; Production has become more and more professional; Transit seems to be more important than export.

After the exchange of views, the following principal elements may be underlined: Taking into account that some information estimates the amount of cannabis sold at coffee-shops to more than one ton per day, the figures presented should be carefully revised. An elementary question to be answered consists in how effectively controls on the global amount sold at these establishments are carried out. This is a difficult question: police carries out periodic visits. The legal maximum amount is: no more than 5 grams per transaction, no more than 500 grams as stock per each coffee shop. Some participants underlined that a contradiction between reality and legal penalties may exist in the current Dutch system. In fact, heavy penalties are foreseen for cannabis traffickers. It was pointed out that cannabis originating in Albania used to be of extremely good quality. In some national cases, different from the Dutch, penalties for production being too heavy, it is more worthwhile to buy the illegal substance instead of developing their own nurseries. Actually, the necessity to carefully analyse production figures in Albania was recalled. The specific question of nurseries detection through the analysis of water consumption was pointed out. In fact, some time ago, this technique gave good results in some very concrete cases (for instance in Tahiti). Concerning the existence of hypothetical instructions not to prosecute internal cannabis production, it was pointed out the fact that this is not the case. However, priorities are quite different. In fact, if one takes the amount actually entering the EU and compares with the amount theoretically produced within the EU, the clear conclusion is than one should concentrate in the first one.

EMCDDA Cannabis Supply reduction meeting

5. Summary of Mr. Paul Griffiths presentation can be found directly at the following web link: http://www.emcdda.eu.int/index.cfm?fuseaction=public.Content&nNodeID=1308&sLanguageISO=EN
In relation with the exchange of views, the following main elements may be retained: Adequate explanations for why cannabis is taken from so far away from the EU could be drawn, taking into account control measures, economic reasons, consumers preferences, etc. Under this perspective, it was recalled the fact than no less than 55 millions plants are currently cultivated in Turkey. The importance of an adequate analysis of new routing was once again recalled. For instance, some consignments have been recently detected from Cambodia and Pakistan into Greece. In this country, most of the traffickers are of Albanian origin. In the specific case of Portugal, most of the cannabis seized originates in Angola. Concerning Spain, most of the traffickers are of Morocco origin, while criminal networks include Spanish citizens. It was also pointed out the link between cannabis trafficking and other kinds of criminal traffic, as human beings trafficking. In the case of Hungary, very small amount of cannabis was seized at external borders; most current origin is countries of former Yugoslavia and The Netherlands; an important local production is supposed to exist. Some question were analysed concerning the recent and progressive implementation of the SIVE system in Spain (Sistema de Vigilancia Integral de Fronteras) and its possible implications on traffic patterns changes.

6. Summary of the presentation of Mr. Juan Denis, Ministry of Interior, Spain, and of the exchange of views
Within the European Union, Spain plays a crucial role in the fight against drug trafficking. One has to take into account the importance of seizures, mainly of cocaine and hashish, carried out by Spanish law enforcement authorities. In the case of hashish trafficking, a number of elements may be retained: Morocco has become the main cannabis resin exporter country to the European market. The Rif mountainous region, which includes five Moroccan provinces, concentrates the most important cultivation areas. This area size could be estimated at around 20.000 square kilometres, representing some 134.000 cultivation hectares. The amount of cannabis cultivation in 2003, compared with previous years, suggests an increase in the production. During last year, the total amount of the Moroccan hashish production could have reached some 3.080 tons. Some interesting figures concerning the amount hashish seizures are as follows: 1997: 315.328 kg;

EMCDDA Cannabis Supply reduction meeting

1998: 428.236 kg; 1999: 431.165 kg; 2000: 474.505 kg; 2001: 514.181 kg; 2002: 564.808 kg; 2003: 727.313 kg.

Some elements concerning hashish trafficking into Spain may be underlined: routes are diversified due to the use by traffickers of a variety of transportation means, including planes, buses, trains, legitimate delivery services, boats, fishing boats and ocean-going vessels. In maritime transportation, traffickers use all kind of boats, both in Mediterranean and Atlantic waters. In land transportation, trucks are used as well as cars, driven mainly through Spanish most important highways. In air transportation, both light planes and helicopters have been discovered, most commonly using private aerodromes. Drug smugglers are increasingly reaching different provinces in Spain, including Murcia, Valencia or Alicante. From these, further distribution to the rest of the European Union is then carried out. In relation with the exchange of views, the main topics discussed were related with the implementation process of SIVE (Integrated External Surveillance System), and the possible consequences of this system in the modification of trafficking routes. Other questions that were discussed related to the use of containers for hashish trafficking.

7. Summary of the presentation by Mr. Mrio S barbosa, Lisbon Airport, National Customs, Portugal
A in-depth overview was given on how the Portuguese National Customs are organized, and more specifically the functioning of the Lisbon Airport passenger control department. National Customs carry out controls at the European Union external border over vehicles, goods and passengers that travel by air, sea or are sent by mail. These controls try to identify, with the help of risk analysis, the type of goods, vehicles and passengers that eventually carry more risk, together with a control over the selected consignment. Controls concentrate on containers, general cargo, yachts and passengers. Concerning concrete results during the period 2000 and 2004 (third quarter), one may retain the following figures: Ecstasy seizures: 21 kg. Heroin: 86 kg. Cannabis: 1083 kg. Cocaine: 2800 kg.
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EMCDDA Cannabis Supply reduction meeting

The number of ecstasy seizures was 8, (8 people arrested; routing: from the Netherlands). The number of heroin seizures was 33 (28 people arrested, routing from The Netherlands, USA and Portugal). In the case of cannabis: 84 seizures (64 people arrested, routing from Portugal, Angola, Mozambique and Morocco). Concerning cocaine: 464 seizures (430 arrested, routing: Brazil, Venezuela, Cabo Verde, Argentina and Bolivia). More concretely, the number of cannabis seizures in 2000 was 10, with 179 kilograms. In 2001, the number was 18 with 2556 kilograms. In 2002: 13 seizures of herbal cannabis and 350 kilograms and 11 seizures of resin cannabis,(22 kilograms). In 2003, 16 seizures of herbal cannabis, (268 kilograms), and 7 cannabis resin seizures (7 kilograms). The seizures results from 2004 first two thirds indicate a big decrease in both the number of seizures and the quantities seized. This new situation could be explained by the new trafficking routes or/and the internal Portuguese or other European Union countries production. However, in October 2004 there were three big seizures of cannabis: at Lisbon airport 63 kilograms of cannabis herb were detected; at Madeira airport 7 kilograms of cannabis resin and, later on, 23 kilograms of the same substance.

8. Summary of the presentation made by Mr. Ioannis Rachovitsas, National Police, Greece
Some important elements of cannabis trafficking routing and trends, together with explanations on main nationalities involved in these smuggling activities, were presented. Among the different points analysed, one may retained the fact that some years ago, important concealments were detected from Lebanon to The Netherlands. Other cannabis consignments were stopped coming from Lebanon to Germany and to Scandinavia. More recently, a new routing is from Pakistan. Organized criminal networks, involving in some cases Greek nationals, send most of the big consignments. However, it is underlined the fact that in most of the cases, there is an implication of Albanian nationals. In this last case, criminal networks also imply other kind of illicit activities.

9. Other topics discussed


Participants underlined the fact that there currently is a gap between information and exchange of information on demand reduction activities and supply reduction activities and almost no place at European Union level where specialists of both fields may have fruitful exchange of views. This gap could be satisfactory filled by the EMCDDA.

EMCDDA Cannabis Supply reduction meeting

Under these circumstances, it was also underlined the fact that the EMCDDA should pursue its efforts to attain this objective. This meeting should then be considered as a first step. For future activities, the EMCDDA should concentrate not only in the very specific case of cannabis supply reduction information but expand to other substances supply reduction activities. End

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EMCDDA Cannabis Supply reduction meeting

Experts meeting on cannabis supply reduction 29 November 2004 EMCDDA, Rua da Cruz de Santa Apolnia 23-25, Lisbon Final agenda 9.00 9.30 9.30 11.00 Introduction (EMCDDA: Margareta Nilson and Ignacio Vzquez Molin) Presentations and discussion on cannabis entering the E.U: Paul Griffiths (EMCDDA); Pierre Bertrand (WCO); - Origin and trafficking routes; - Seizures at external borders; - THC average contents; - Towards an estimation of global amount entering the E.U.; - Other questions. Break Presentations and discussion on cannabis produced within the EU: Paul Griffiths (EMCDDA); Toon van der Heijden (researcher, police, The Netherlands); - Origin and trafficking routes; - Seizures; - Towards an estimation of global amount produced within the E.U.; - Other questions.

11.00 11.30 11.30 13.00

13.00 14.30 Lunch 14.30 16.00 Presentations and exchange of views on activities to prevent cannabis entering the EU: Arno Kooij (Customs at Rotterdam port); Juan Denis (Ministry of Interior, Spain); Mrio S Barbosa (National Customs, Portugal): - Places and means concentrating main custom and police efforts; - Main trafficking trends and relevant data on traffickers; - Most relevant law enforcement projects; - Other questions.

16.00 16.15 Break 16.15 17.15 Presentations and exchange of views on activities to prevent cannabis growing within the EU: Joanis Rahudistas (National Police, Greece); Mr. Tamas Kiss, (National Customs, Hungary): - Places and means concentrating main police efforts; - Main productions trends and relevant data on producers; - Other questions. Summing up / Looking forward

17.15 17.30

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EMCDDA Cannabis Supply reduction meeting

List of participants

External: Mr.Pierre Bertrand (World Customs Organization) pierre.bertrand@rilo-we.org Mr. Toon van der Heijden (researcher, police, The Netherlands) Toon.van.der.Heijden@klpd.politie.nl Mr. Arno Kooij (Customs at Rotterdam port) abw.kooij@belastingdienst.nl Mr. Juan Denis (Ministry of Interior, Spain) jdv@ses.mir.es Mr. Mrio S Barbosa (National Customs, Portugal) mjbarbosa@dgaiec.min-financas.pt Mr. Joanis Rahudistas (National Police, Greece) racho@otenet.gr Mr. Tamas Kiss, (National Customs, Hungary) kiss.tamas@mail.vpop.hu

EMCDDA staff: Ms. Margareta Nilson; Mr. Paul Griffiths (morning session); Mr. Henri Bergeron (morning session); Mr. Danilo Ballotta (afternoon session); Ms. Sonia Vicente; Mr. Ignacio Vzquez Molin

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EMCDDA Cannabis Supply reduction meeting

Background documents for cannabis supply meeting 29.11.04

EMCDDA 2003 Annual Report: Drug Law offences; http://annualreport.emcdda.eu.int/en/page037en.html EMCDDA 2003 Annual report: Cannabis Market and availability; http://annualreport.emcdda.eu.int/en/page040-en.html Europol 2003 Report on Organized crime within the European Union; http://www.europol.eu.int/publications/EUOrganisedCrimeSitRep/2003/EUOrganisedCrimeSitRep2003. pdf Europol 2003 report on Drugs production and Trafficking; http://www.europol.eu.int/index.asp?page=publar2003#DRUGS

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