WILDLIFE LINKED TO DRUG TRADE

West Says Asia One Of Prime Exporters

Wildlife and drugs smuggling go hand-in-hand with Asia being one of the
prime exporters, said European and American justice officials yesterday.

However, a Thai wildlife expert said Thailand had in the past found cases
of illicit drugs concealed among live animals sent to the United States,
but that was ancient history.

"We continue to find various cases of both endangered animals and drugs
being smuggled in the same container, or sometimes legal animals are used
as live vessels to make it easier to pass through customs," said John Webb,
a prosecutor from the US Justice Department. "Drug and wildlife trafficking
may be the two greatest money-makers, aside from gun running, why not put
them together."

Mr Webb also said the illegal combination had roots in Asia but he was not
obliged to discuss which specific country.

Katalin Rodics of Hungary's Ministry of Environment and Water confirmed
illegal wildlife and drugs travel together and smugglers use the former
eastern bloc countries as a point of entry.

"Live snakes inserted with cocaine-filled condoms are commonly found
smuggled past our borders from Asia," Ms Rodics said. Hungary and other
eastern European countries were used as docking points before the animals
and drugs were transported to "richer" EU countries, she added.

"In one case liquid cocaine was carefully mixed into clear outer bags that
were placed around inner bags containing valuable tropical fish," said Adam
Roberts, executive director of the Animal Welfare Institute.

However, Schwann Tunhikorn, acting director of Cites Office Thailand,
admitted Thailand had found cases of snakes stuffed with cocaine about to
be shipped abroad, but the catch took place more than ten years ago. "Drugs
and wildlife smugglers tend to be in the same gang, so it is possible for
such a devastating combination to occur. But I assure you Thailand has had
no evidence of such cruelty taking place within our borders for over 15 years."