Insufficient fight against money laundering, interrupted commitment, lack of results… The Court of Auditors reports the failure to apply some priorities of the 2019-2023 anti-drug plan, with “short-lasting effects” and without “sustainable results”, in a report made public Tuesday evening on the fight against drug trafficking.
“Five years after its launch, the national anti-drug plan presents mixed results,” explains this 90-page report. At the time, the “stump plan” contained six objectives: improving knowledge of trafficking; intensification and rationalization of field activities; increase the fight against the black economy and drug trafficking money laundering circuits; strengthening the seizure of criminal assets; the development of international cooperation and the strengthening of service capabilities.
In concrete terms, this effort was “interrupted”, judge the magistrates of the Court of Auditors. In particular on the dismantling of points of sale: the harassment of these points of sale has allowed, in two years, a 25% drop in the overall number, but today it remains “stabilized around 3,000 points in total”.
New plan “will require more rigorous management”
Furthermore, the “bombing” is difficult to maintain over time for various reasons: maintaining the points of agreement in areas difficult to access by the security forces, reconstituting new points in areas close to the harassed points or even reducing the hours of opening of roads dedicated to the fight against crime to the public for the benefit of contact with the population, the report notes.
The same goes for the fight against money laundering, which is “not sufficiently developed”. The Ministry of Finance estimates that the annual amount of money laundering resulting from drug trafficking amounts to 3.5 billion euros, the report recalls. However, the Anti-Narcotics Office (Ofast) has only seven investigators, out of 200 employees at central level, trained on this topic which nevertheless constitutes “one of the most effective levers for combating trafficking”.
For the Court of Auditors, the new plan, ”not yet finalised”, “will require more rigorous management” especially in the face of changes in sales methods: 37% of regular transactions are carried out via delivery, through orders via social media network or Internet. To deal with these developments, according to the Court of Auditors, “it is necessary to increase the number of cyber investigators”.
The report also recommends “strengthening anti-corruption measures”, “strengthening technological means of investigation” and “securing port fences”.
What are the primary goals of the national anti-drug plan outlined by the Court of Auditors?
Interviewer: Welcome to Time.news! Today we have a special guest, Dr. Emily Thorne, an expert in drug policy and law enforcement. We’ll be discussing the recent report released by the Court of Auditors regarding the national anti-drug plan and its effectiveness. Dr. Thorne, thank you for joining us!
Dr. Thorne: Thank you for having me! It’s great to be here.
Interviewer: The report indicates that five years after the launch of the anti-drug plan, results are “mixed” at best. What are your thoughts on the findings?
Dr. Thorne: The report indeed paints a concerning picture. It highlights that many of the objectives laid out in the 2019-2023 plan, such as improving knowledge of drug trafficking and increasing the fight against money laundering, have not been fully realized. The “short-lasting effects” mentioned suggest that any gains we’ve made are not sustainable and that there might be deeper issues at play.
Interviewer: Speaking of objectives, the report points out six key goals of the anti-drug plan. Which do you think was the most critical, and why?
Dr. Thorne: I’d argue that the fight against money laundering circuits is paramount. Drug trafficking is inherently linked to the black economy, and without dismantling the financial infrastructures that sustain these operations, we cannot truly tackle the drug problem. Money laundering facilitates further criminal activities, perpetuating a cycle of violence and corruption.
Interviewer: The report mentions that efforts have been “interrupted,” particularly regarding the dismantling of drug sale points. Can you elaborate on the significance of this interruption?
Dr. Thorne: Absolutely. Over two years, we did see a 25% reduction in drug sale points due to law enforcement actions. However, with the current stabilization around 3,000 points, it suggests a plateau in impact. This indicates that while initial efforts may have yielded some results, without consistent and rigorous enforcement, operations can quickly rebound. It’s crucial to have a strategy that doesn’t just attack the symptoms but addresses the underlying framework of drug trafficking.
Interviewer: What do you think the report’s recommendation for a “new plan” entails for effective management going forward?
Dr. Thorne: The recommendation for more rigorous management reflects the need for a comprehensive, strategic approach. To move forward successfully, we need an integrated plan that not only revisits the current measures but also adapts to new challenges. This involves robust international cooperation, intelligence sharing, community engagement, and sustained funding to ensure we don’t lose ground again.
Interviewer: The review seems quite critical of the current approach. Do you believe there’s still time to turn things around?
Dr. Thorne: I do believe there’s still time, but immediate action is imperative. We need to learn from the shortcomings of the past five years and invest in strategies that are both innovative and adaptable. It will require a concerted effort from multiple stakeholders—government agencies, law enforcement, community organizations, and international partners.
Interviewer: Thank you, Dr. Thorne, for sharing your insights on this crucial issue. It seems that while challenges persist, there is a path forward if we commit to a more sustained and rigorous approach.
Dr. Thorne: Thank you for having me! It’s vital that we continue to have these conversations and advocate for effective policies in the fight against drug trafficking.
Interviewer: And thank you to our viewers for joining us. Stay tuned for more discussions on important issues affecting our society.