While the UK Revenue loses computer discs, Washington DC loses millions of dollars of local taxes. At present presented as a “friends and family” scam with no link to organised crime groups like the Mafia.

Operation Pentameter 2 reaches the South West. Only one claim of human trafficking so far .Previous BBC reports have suggested that brothrls have spread to rural areas in the UK. The UK Human Trafficking Centre and Project Poppy have been set up to respond. Pentameter 2 started on 3rd October 2007. It is a victim-focussed project, linked to a G6 … BROTHELS RAIDED

The linked newspaper article from the Guardian concentrates on the UK, and the headline indicates that the UK is the worst country in Europe for under age drug-taking [ie among 13 year olds]. There is a graphic comparing EU countries across the board. The important statistics are that cocaine use is rising across Europe and … ANNUAL REPORT OF EUROPEAN MONITORING CENTRE FOR DRUGS AND DRUG ADDICTION

This is an important development, but is the European Union really ready for it? Schengen is a boon for air and road passengers, but are the external borders of the EU adequately policed? It has been argued that “organised crime” abolished the borders long before Schengen came along. “Fortress UK” is always suspicious, but are … SCHENGEN “BIG BANG”

Article from the New York Times on small-scale production of methamphetamine in Eastern Europe. It warns that once small-scale producers have created a demand, it creates the possibility for bigger producers to enter the market and compares with the American experience. Klaus von Lampe may have a comment to make on the contrast with cigarette … METHAMPHETAMINE IN EASTERN EUROPE

This article from the Independent raises the wider issues of the role of Ghana in drug smuggling from Latin America to Europe. It mentions Operation Westbridge , a joint Ghanaian and UK police investigation of drug smuggling and the case of the Benjamin, a ship that was identified as “of interest” but slipped through the net into … BRITISH GIRLS FOUND GUILTY OF TRYING TO SMUGGLE DRUGS OUT OF GHANA

A Top cop last night told of his fears that Scotland has become a haven for drug-running Triad gangs.Detective Chief Superintendent Stevie Whitelock, head of intelligence at Strathclyde Police, said: “Organised criminals have turned Scotland into a cannabis greenhouse.“ Earlier this year the Strathclyde Police launched Operation League aimed to ‘weed out cultivation’.

Thomas “Slab” Murphy has been accused of many things in the British and Irish press and this trial will be closely monitored because of his alleged links with the IRA and its funding. The outcome of the trial and possible connected cases may also have an impact on the Democratic Unionists view of their power-sharing … “SLAB” MURPHY FACES TAX CHARGES

This report is one of the lead articles on the National Justice Criminal Reference Service website at:http://www.ncjrs.gov/if you don’t know it, its well worth a regular visit! The report includes lots of statistics and colour illustrations. Very pretty!

While navigating through my bookmarks in search of information for the ever-hungry readers of this blog, I discovered that the UNODC link was broken. Further investigation revealed a relaunch of the website of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. Update your bookmarks immediately!