10 April 2002

Fact Sheet: Drug Traffickers, Terrorists Develop Close Connection

State Department says both groups exploit weak banking laws

Illegal drug trafficking and terrorism have developed a close relationship as each feeds on the other's strengths, according to a State Department fact sheet from the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL).

"Drug traffickers benefit from terrorists' military skills, weapons supply, and access to clandestine organizations," INL said in a fact sheet released April 10. "Terrorists gain a source of revenue and expertise in illicit transfer and laundering of money for their operations."

And both terrorists and drug traffickers tend to use those countries and jurisdictions where banking regulations are weakest, the fact sheet said.

Following is the text of the fact sheet:

Fact Sheet
Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
Washington

April 10, 2002

The Nexus Between Drug Trafficking and Terrorism

There often is a close connection between terrorism and organized crime, including drug trafficking. This nexus takes many forms, ranging from facilitation -- protection, transportation, and taxation -- to direct trafficking by terrorist organizations themselves.

Drug traffickers benefit from terrorists' military skills, weapons supply, and access to clandestine organizations. Terrorists gain a source of revenue and expertise in illicit transfer and laundering of money for their operations. Like traffickers and other organized crime groups, they make use of those countries and jurisdictions where banking regulations are weak. Both groups corrupt officials who can provide fraudulent documents, such as passports and customs papers.

Drug traffickers may also gain considerable freedom of movement when they operate in conjunction with terrorists who control large amounts of territory. The September 11 attacks demonstrated in horrific detail the great danger to the United States posed by a narco-terrorist state where both groups can operate with impunity.

While the Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) does not have the lead in the war on terrorism, its counter-narcotics and anti-crime programs promote modernization of criminal justice systems and of the law enforcement agencies charged with the counter-terrorism mission. Since September 2001, INL has been working with the Departments of Justice and Treasury, and with cooperating governments, to focus on counter-drug and anti-crime programs that also have an impact on counter-terrorism.

Working with organizations such as the Group of Eight (G-8), and with the European Union and other countries, INL has sought new approaches to overcome longstanding barriers to closer law enforcement cooperation and to assist other countries in their ability to implement U.N. Security Council Resolution 1373 to combat terrorism.

end fact sheet