UN: "organized crime is plundering West Africa"

Posted By Brian Fung Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 2:13 PM Share

A new United Nations report released Tuesday has spurred international law enforcement into action in West Africa. As many as four UN bodies, ECOWAS, and Interpol are involved in what is to become a concerted effort aimed at stopping organized crime.

Among other conclusions, the 90-page UN report finds that up to half of all medication used in the region may be either "substandard or counterfeit," and that "80 percent of the cigarette market ... is illicit, meaning that cigarette sales in those countries chiefly profit criminals."

In particular, reports the BBC, the new campaign targets Guinea-Bissau, the Ivory Coast, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Observers can expect strengthened border security as well as attempts to improve local judicial systems.

EXPLORE:AFRICA, CORRUPTION, DRUGS & CRIME

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NYGDAN

10:44 PM ET

July 9, 2009

Isn't this exactly the sort

Isn't this exactly the sort of thing, violent international crime gangs and adulteration of medicines and food supplies, that the UN was supposed to prevent in the first place? Are there many people who believe that they will be able to stop it this time around anyway? Not to say that the UN's never done anything, but this sort of thing seems to me, paradoxically, the very thing its supposed to stop, and the very thing its not able to stop.

KEVINNC

2:46 AM ET

July 16, 2009

Far too often, it seems like

Far too often, it seems like the so-called organized crime in these countries usually consists of the leaders themselves. It's truly sad.

Raleigh Seo

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