Illicit Drug Trafficking in West Africa -- Primary Surveillance Radar Introduction
Abstract
The latest World Drug Report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) paints a grim picture of worldwide drug smuggling. Cocaine bound for wealthy industrialized countries is increasingly transiting through poverty-stricken developing countries. The UNODC reports show a clear increase in cocaine and other illicit drugs transiting West Africa. These drugs, which originate in South America, are moving via sea, land, and air through West African countries north into Europe and North America. Weak governance contributes to the problem by facilitating routes for drug smugglers. The United States has multiple tools at its disposal: security assistance resources, partnering countries to coordinate with, and various international organizations to leverage. All of these are orchestrating mechanisms in countering illicit drug trafficking via air through West Africa. Introducing primary surveillance radar (PSR) to the region will illuminate non-cooperative movement and add another tool to counter illicit drug trade through West Africa. PSR also will serve to cover multiple agency policy objectives and underpin effective airspace management, enabling trade, investment, and economic development.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 22, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA560771
Entities
People
- Gregory J. Broecker
Organizations
- United States Army War College