The sale and distribution of illicit drugs has become a multi-billion dollar industry.
A major component of the U.S. government's efforts has traditionally been the Treasury
Department, which has focused on attacking the industry's financial infrastructure.
While this has remained part of Treasury's efforts since September 11, the work has
taken on new significance as evidence has pointed to the possibility that global groups such
as al Qa'ida are using narcotics as a source of funding for terrorist activities. Groups
like the FARC have long been suspected of using narcotics sales to fund their activities.
However, the recent findings have led the Treasury Department, and specifically the TFI Office,
to increase its efforts to cut the funding to such an important resource for terrorists.
International Narcotics Control Strategy Report Volume II: Money Laundering and Financial Crimes
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