CRACK DOWN ON DRUGS, U.S. URGES CANADA

Methamphetamine, ecstasy and marijuana production is on the rise in
Canada, a new report by the U.S. State Department says, and
transnational crime groups are steadily importing more cocaine and heroin.

While the U.S. government's annual international narcotics review
pegs this country as "primarily a drug consuming" one, Canada remains
a significant producer of high-quality pot and a transit point for
over-the-counter pharmaceuticals used in synthetic drugs.

"Methamphetamine trafficking and availability rose during 2005," the
document says, noting 95 per cent of the domestic supply comes from
large, multi-kilogram operations. "Significant seizures of MDMA
(ecstasy) from clandestine laboratories indicate they are larger and
more sophisticated organized crime operations."

Marijuana - smuggled into the U.S. primarily from B.C., Ontario and
Quebec - remains a concern, especially sophisticated indoor grow operations.

While the report paints a positive picture of Canadian law
enforcement, it's clear the U.S. government wants legal changes to
crack down on drug producers here. It notes marijuana cultivation is
a thriving, low-risk pursuit, due in part to "low sentences meted out
by Canadian courts."

The U.S. may get its wish soon, as Justice Minister Vic Toews has
suggested mandatory minimum sentences for serious drug crimes are on the way.

The report makes a general request that Canada address the rise of
ecstasy production and "improve its regulatory and enforcement
capacity" regarding precursor chemicals as well.

The government has taken several steps in that direction. Last
summer, it boosted prison sentences for meth and ecstasy producers.
Tighter controls on six chemicals used as base ingredients came into
effect at the end of January.