UK's response to drug traffic is 'woefully inadequate'

Published on Tuesday 2 March 2010 21:08

EFFORTS by law enforcement agencies to block cocaine trafficking are "woefully inadequate" the government has admitted.

The home affairs select committee has found no evidence attempts to stop the drug getting in had affected its "ready availability" on the streets of Britain.

Police, the UK Border Agency and the Serious Organised Crime Agency were stopping as little as 12 per cent of supply – meaning up to 30 tonnes were still reaching the UK every year according to a report by the committee.

And the report identified a "culture of complacency" at the Border Agency over cocaine seizures. It was described as having "deeply unambitious" targets.

Committee chairman Keith Vaz said: "There can be no relenting in the fight against cocaine trafficking. The fact that it seems to have become more socially acceptable and seen as a 'safe', middle-class drug is a myth that must be tackled, with much greater effort put into the demand side of the trade here in the UK."

The street price has halved in a decade as dealers have used more, often dangerous, substances to cut cocaine to boost profits.

Tory home affairs spokesman James Brokenshire said: "Labour's failure to secure our porous borders has resulted in more drugs getting on to Britain's streets.

"Under this government's watch, Britain has become the cocaine capital of Europe. We can't go on like this."

Martin Barnes, chief executive of charity DrugScope, said: "Although cocaine retains some of its image as a drug for the rich and famous, this has changed with the fall in price, purity and increased availability.

"There is concern young people underestimate the risks and harms associated with cocaine when combined with alcohol."

A spokesman for Transform, which campaigns for drug law reform, said: "The committee is right to criticise the government. We are delighted they have backed our demand for a full assessment of the Misuse of Drugs Act."