CANADA A KEY HUB FOR ECSTASY, UN SAYS

WASHINGTON-Canadian gangs are the leading suppliers of ecstasy in North
America and increasingly proficient producers of methamphetamine for
markets around the world, the United Nations drug czar says.

"Canada has emerged an important hub for ecstasy and amphetamines,"
Antonio Maria Costa told a news conference yesterday in the U.S. capital
as he released the agency's 2009 World Drug Report.

Costa said the lucrative underground industry of manufacturing
amphetamines has migrated north to Canada since both the U.S. and Mexico
banned the chemical precursors used to make the drugs.

An anti-gang bill before Parliament is being held up by the Liberals,
Justice Minister Rob Nicholson said. "Under the new legislation, these
people are looking at two-year prison terms as a minimum," said Nicholson,
who blamed the hold-up on Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff.

"I am asking him to do something, call people, get this bill moving
through the system. I am hoping this increases the pressure on him to make
this a priority and get this bill passed."

In 2007, half the ecstasy produced in Canada was destined for markets
outside Canada, most of it bound for the U.S., Australia and Japan, the
report found.

It noted Canadian organized crime groups have significantly increased
their participation in the meth trade over the past few years.

"I believe there is a lot of work that needs to be done on these two
problems," Costa said.