HASH SALES TIED TO TERROR

Afghanis using Canadian drug money: RCMP

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

Naval Patrol

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 from the Middle East.

Three Canadian ships on patrol in the area have apprehended vessels
smuggling drugs, embargoed oil and other illicit materials.

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

One to two tonnes of heroin is brought into Canada annually, an amount
worth $10- to $20-million US, says the RCMP brief.

Most comes from southeast Asia, particularly Burma.

"No large-scale importation of southwest Asian heroin originating in
Afghanistan has been documented recently in Canada," says the report.

Toronto A Target

According to the United Nations, Afghanistan produced 4,600 tonnes of opium
in 1999 -- 80% of the world supply. Opium is used to make heroin.

Despite a poppy ban by the former Taliban government, the country produced
3,300 tonnes in 2000 -- 70% of world production.

The heroin that arrives from Pakistan and Afghanistan is brought in mainly
through Montreal and Toronto, according to the RCMP report.