NCJ Number
171867
Journal
Crime and Justice International Volume: 13 Issue: 2 Dated: March 1997 Pages: 9-13
Date Published
March 1997
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article provides an overview of transnational crime in South Africa, particularly drug trafficking, and describes the international assistance and cooperation that is being mounted to counter such crime.
Abstract
South Africa's status as a narcotics transit country has become well established. Its geography no longer offers it protection from traffickers who once plied direct routes from sources to markets; it has become increasingly central for global commerce in contraband of all kinds. The region's extensive air, sea, and land infrastructure make South Africa a prime conduit for moving illegal cargoes. The large banking and financial sector in South Africa and lack of adequate money laundering controls allow profits from illegal trade to mix easily with legitimate revenues. Regarding the domestic consumption of drugs, the question is not whether it will increase, but by how much. According to a recent DEA report, Nigerian groups are major traffickers in both heroin and cocaine in South Africa. Criminal organizations in South Africa have not penetrated government agencies, so foreign governments are eager to assist the South African government in its fight against drug trafficking and transnational crime generally. In addition to the planned opening of DEA and FBI offices in South Africa, there has been a significant amount of U.S.-sponsored activity, particularly in law enforcement training. According to some observers, however, training and good police work are not sufficient to counter transnational crime in South Africa. Also needed are laws that can effectively dismantle and obstruct sophisticated criminal operations, as well as a judicial system that can effectively prosecute, convict, and imprison criminals even when they have enormous legal resources at their disposal. An intelligence network that can identify and develop strategies to topple drug kingpins is also crucial to a comprehensive effort.