Out and about Eastern Africa

Geographic Significance of Eastern Africa

Drug Trafficking Patterns:

In the period 1995-2006, reported seizures of heroin, cannabis and cocaine in the region covered by ROEA are comparatively few and do not reflect the extent of trafficking, availability and growing abuse in the region. The region is attractive to international drug trafficking syndicates as they are quick to exploit non-existent or ineffective border (land, sea and air) controls, limited cross border and regional cooperation as well as serious deficiencies in the criminal justice systems. Hence, the low seizure figures are more an indication that few resources are allocated to drug control and that international border controls are weak than a sign that no drugs are being trafficked through the region.

The region covered by ROEA is accessible by sea to heroin and cannabis resin producer countries in South West and South East Asia through the ports in Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya and Tanzania. Anecdotal evidence suggests that Somalia, currently in the process of establishing a central authority, is host to widespread illegal transactions, including drug and arms trafficking. There are two important international airports in the region, servicing the capitals' of Ethiopia and Kenya, which are used as transit points for drugs. Both airports have connections between West Africa and the heroin‑producing countries in South West and South East Asia. There is also an increasing use of postal and courier services for cocaine, heroin and hashish.

A review of drug seizures from 1998 to date indicates an increase in the trafficking of heroin to eastern African countries from Pakistan, Thailand and India. Increased seizures of heroin with Nigerian connections bound for Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya through Ethiopia have been noted as well. Seizures and arrest statistics show that more Tanzanians and Mozambicans are becoming involved in the trafficking of heroin from Pakistan and Iran.

West African syndicates, with their experience in cannabis and heroin smuggling, are actively networking in Latin America, and are responsible for the emergence of cocaine trafficking and abuse in eastern Africa. As shown in graph (3), although the volume of cocaine seized in Africa is still relatively small, the situation is changing as trafficking groups extend their highly-organised networks. In most countries in the ROEA region it is possible to purchase pharmaceutical products on demand without presenting a valid prescription. Many of these products, sometimes imported without authorization, are sold by hawkers in street-markets.

Unfortunately, the situation has been worsening in the last 10‑15 years. In the majority of the countries in the ROEA region, control and monitoring of the national drug supply and distribution channels, including precursors, are inefficient. This results not only in the ineffective control of pharmaceutical products, but also in the circulation of counterfeit medicines. Together these pose serious health and socio‑economic problems, they undermine law enforcement activities and confidence in public health services.

The emergence of Mandrax in the region has gone hand in hand with the diversion of licit drugs and essential chemical precursors into the illicit market. The control of essential chemical precursors that are either being trafficked through the ROEA region to countries producing cocaine and heroin or used in the illegal production of Mandrax, is an important part of the battle against drugs in the region. It is feared that illegal trafficking, importation and use will continue as long as there are no effective control mechanisms in the countries of the region.

As volume and profit margins rise, another trend has been the expansion and increasing sophistication of African drug trafficking gangs . This is in addition to the more traditional and better known syndicates from Italy and other parts of Europe. West African gangs (mainly from Nigeria) have developed extensive networks around the world. These present increasingly formidable challenges to law enforcement authorities. Evidence also suggests that in the 1990s, domestic criminal organizations in the region have started to diversify from activities such as motor vehicle theft, arms trading and mineral smuggling to the highly lucrative trafficking of illicit drugs. As a result, there has been a dramatic increase in violence and organized crime.

Money laundering is an attempt to conceal or disguise the true nature, source, disposition, movement or ownership of proceeds connected with illicit drug trafficking or other illicit activities. It has a devastating effect on the economies of developing countries. Drug traffickers are quick to exploit inadequate banking regulations such as those in eastern Africa. Financial cash transactions can be performed with little or no monitoring or supervision by the banking sector where corruption is also rife.