DRUG PROFITS USED TO FINANCE TERRORISTS

VANCOUVER -- A portion of the $20 million US worth of hashish imported into
Canada annually financed terrorist groups in Afghanistan and Pakistan,
according to RCMP.

More than 100 tonnes of hashish is brought into Canada every year,
according to a confidential RCMP report obtained under access to
information legislation.

Most of it comes from southwest Asia, particularly Afghanistan and Pakistan.

"This means that approximately $20 million US finds its way back to the
producers in the source countries," says the November 2001 report entitled
Narco-terrorism and Canada.

"It is likely that terrorist elements in Afghanistan tax producers, thereby
receiving a portion of the potential proceeds."

U.S. intelligence officials say drug profits have been used to finance
terrorist activities. Ships in the Arabian Sea have been under intense
scrutiny since the war began in Afghanistan in the fall, curbing the flow
of drugs.

In February, the HMCS Toronto, one of five Canadian warships which
patrolled the Arabian Sea, found 90 wrapped packages of drugs. Each was
stamped with the words "Freedom for Afghanistan," according to newspaper
reports.