UK NARCOTICS MARKET ONE OF WORLD'S RICHEST

Britain is one of the world's most profitable narcotics markets for
gangsters, despite nine years of the Government's "war on drugs",
according to the new Serious Organised Crime Agency.

In its first annual "threat assessment", Soca says there are plentiful
and increasingly cheaper supplies of hard drugs, distributed by
frequently violent gangs to towns and cities, where they generate
addiction, crime and health problems.

The flow of drugs is only temporarily disrupted by law enforcement
action.

Soca started as an operational force this year and is responsible for
assessing the threat from serious organised crime. Its report,
published today, will not make easy reading for ministers.

"The overall picture [on drugs] is one of ready availability
throughout the UK at prices that, to the consumer, have fallen
steadily in real terms. Despite many tons of Class A drugs being
prevented from reaching the UK, arrests and seizures have achieved
short-term disruptions rather than a sustained reduction in the size
of the UK drugs market.

"The UK is one of the most lucrative markets in the world for
traffickers in Class A drugs [heroin, cocaine powder, crack cocaine,
ecstasy] and is targeted by a wide range of criminals."

A number of cities in the UK are significant centres for drugs
distribution, but Soca notes that "other smaller cities and towns are
becoming more prominent".

Soca warns of the risk that use of methylamphetamine will increase -
"including its purer form, crystal meth, which is comparable to crack
cocaine for its addictive nature and harmful effects".

With drugs come guns, Soca adds. "The apparent rise in the criminal
possession and use of firearms in the UK seems to be driven
predominantly by the trade in Class A drugs (especially crack cocaine)
and the associated gang culture at street level. . .

"Increased possession of firearms by lower level criminals, and their
apparent readiness to use them, has led to an increase in random or
uncontrolled shootings, and to 'tit-for-tat' revenge shootings. UK
criminals at all levels favour handguns."