THE TERRORIST CONNECTION

A pending extradition case involving three men in Hong Kong illustrates the
disturbing correlation between illegal drugs sold in the United States and
terrorists' murderous activities. In this case, the alleged drugs-for-arms
scheme failed.

But how many succeed?

In another drugs-for-arms investigation, four people were charged this
month with plotting to trade $25 million in cash and cocaine for weapons to
be delivered to a Colombian terrorist group.

If, in fact, drug trafficking in the United States is a national security
threat -- by funneling money to terrorists -- then authorities should not
discriminate. Those caught dealing dope should be tried as terrorist
conspirators. Too extreme? You decide.

The three men in Hong Kong -- an American originally from India and two
Pakistanis -- tried to sell a half-ton of heroin and 5 tons of hashish in
the San Diego area. With the money realized, they allegedly planned to buy
four American-made Stinger missiles for the al-Qaida terror network, whose
leader we now learn might still be alive.

Coincidentally, at least three of the Sept. 11 suicide hijackers lived or
visited the San Diego area.

It's no coincidence that over the years, huge poppy fields in Afghanistan
yielded tons of heroin and opium, some of which made it to U.S. shores and
helped finance al-Qaida and other terrorists. How much of their funding
still is being supplemented by drug sales here and abroad?

We said at the onset of this war that terrorists and those who aid them
must be torn out by the roots. A year later we're seeing just how deep and
far those roots extend.