DRUG TRADE RANKS THIRD IN WORLD COMMERCE: OFFICIAL

TEHRAN -- Secretary General of anti-narcotics headquarters Ali Hashemi here
Sunday alluded to international Mafia and national spy agencies as the key
players in international drug smuggling.

"Today drug-trafficking with a turnover of U.S. $1,500 billion annually
ranks first in international commerce followed by transaction in goods and
services and the oil trade," he pointed out, IRNA reported.

Speaking at a session of Tehran Province drug-smuggling committee, he added
that the special political, social and economic situation in the country
also plays a role in drug trade.

"The situation has direct correlation with higher drug trafficking and
addiction", he underlined.

The third factor in drug smuggling is Iran's geo-political position as the
neighbor of the largest producer of narcotics in the world, as well as
international conditions and the globalization trend.

"While, there is no single definition of addiction in the society, there
should a balance between two views of addiction, one as a felony and the
other as a disease," Hashemi noted.

He also cautioned that if there are no remedies outlined in combating the
drug menace aiming to reign in its (smuggling) foreign and domestic
threats, then there could be future repercussions.

He also alluded to the plans for drafting a comprehensive proposal to
combat drug trafficking.

"Beginning 2003, the plan will be carried out in two five-year schemes to
control and combat drug trafficking and addiction", he said.

Earlier, the Head of Police Anti-Drug Center Colonel Mahdi Abouei here
Saturday criticized the anti-narcotics headquarters' related-agencies for
their lack of cooperation in drug prevention and treatment plans.

Abouei also cited the formation of a special center to intensify the
police-judicial cooperation in countering smuggling and distribution of
illicit drugs.

He added that the center's task is to mete out harsher punishment for those
caught distributing drugs in large cities.

The officer said that the police organization plan's this year are to
create an unsafe environment for distributors and dealers of narcotics,
mopping up of drug-infested areas and prevention of public drug-dealing. He
said that over 2,500 smugglers have been arrested in Tehran in last 45 days.

Further, Abouei stated 3,500 operations were carried out in selected areas,
29,000 people were arrested and 1.5 tons of narcotics also seized in the
last Iranian year (ended March 20).