United Nations Radio

The head of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime says the volume of drug trafficking throughout the West African region seems to be diminishing.

Antonio Maria Costa

Antonio Maria Costa told the Security Council on Tuesday that the evidence is a lower volume of seizures and a drop in the number of air couriers coming from West Africa to Europe.

However, Mr. Costa points out that the situation remains volatile with around 20 tonnes of cocaine still transiting the region every year.

He adds that West Africa is also a crossroads for the smuggling of cigarettes, arms, people, counterfeit medicines, toxic waste, oil and other natural resources.

Mr. Costa stresses that fighting crime is a shared responsibility and should be seen from a global perspective.

"Rich countries, particularly in Europe, should assume their share of responsibility by curbing their appetite for drugs, cheap labour and human beings, modern slaves, that are being smuggled through the region. My office is asking rich countries especially to stop the use of West Africa as a dumping ground for weapons, waste and fake medicines."

UNODC is tackling the threat posed by organized crime by providing technical assistance to strengthen crime fighting capacity, with the help of, among others, the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations and INTERPOL.

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