Drug Cartels and Organized Crime

Topic: Drug Cartels and Organized Crime
Country: Angola
Delegate Name: Owen Purdue
School: Forest Hills Northern High School

The issue of illegal drugs has spread throughout the world, to every continent, and affecting a huge amount of people. This problem has failed to remain only about the creation, processing, trafficking and sale of illegal drugs, though that is certainly still a prominent part of the issue – it has become about the consequences those markets have on the economies, people, governments and societies of each nation affected by the worldwide illegal drug trade. Dangerous cartels have sprung up around the sale of illegal drugs, and violence is on the rise – violence that takes its toll on innocent civilians. According to the UN Office of Drugs and Crime, 430-50 tons of heroin and opiates per year flow out from Afghanistan into Europe and Africa where they are transferred to the United States. Cocaine radiates from its production base in Colombia and the Andes of South America, affecting 16 to 17 million people worldwide. Each part of the supply chain, each step in the process, is overseen by a cartel or criminal gang. In addressing the problem of illegal drug trafficking, the Security Council will also have to address crime.

Angola is very invested in and intent on carrying out the elimination of illegal drug-driven criminal cartels and trafficking gangs. Two years ago, Angola was deemed by the United Nations to be a transition country for drug trafficking – narcotics and cannabis have been tracked flowing to and from Brazil through Angola by the Angolan Inter-Ministerial Committee to Fight Drugs. This makes the problem much more immediate and important for Angola to address. The trade in illegal drugs has the potential to waste a country, and force its people into ruin. Angola is determined not to let that happen within its borders, within the region of southern Africa, and around the world.

In order to accomplish this task, we must be willing to cooperate internationally on a scale seen only rarely before. Angola has already begun to cooperate with other nations and international bodies, such as the United States and the European Union, in training police forces and providing them with the expertise to crack down on trade in illegal drugs. However, without the help and accedence of other countries, this may only result in a balloon effect – cracking down on drugs in one area only leads to a rising market in another. To combat this, efforts like those of Angola should be replicated on an international scale. Angola believes that the Security Council can accomplish that. Through policies like the coordination between police agencies to crack down on drug-gang operations, the synchronizing of anti-drug legislation between nations, and the informing of the public about the dangers of drugs and the consequences of drug trafficking, Angola believes that the UNSC can proactively continue and improve in its fight to snuff out the illicit drug trade.

Topic: Drug Cartels and Organized Crime
Country: Chile
Delegate Name: Ashley Christian
School: Flint Southwestern Classical Academy

Chile believes that the drug cartels are a serious problem that stems purely from within the Americas. If the United States didn’t have so many individuals with drug addiction issues, South American countries wouldn’t have so many drug cartels willing to supply those addicts. While the US doesn’t seem to be putting as much effort into stopping the crime, Chile’s minister of interior (Rodrigo Penailillo) has created an assignment for the prosecutors to investigate organized crime. The different kinds of organized crime that will be investigated are white collar crimes, cyber-crime, terrorism, and especially drug trafficking.

Chile is in full support of the adopting of the resolution 2195. This is urging Member States, as a matter of priority, to accede to and implement all international conventions that related to terrorism and organized crime. Chile also believes that the only way to stop this excessive use of drugs and continuous path of organized crime would be to reduce drug production in general. Individuals are using this method of drug production as a way of income, and if the UN finds another way for these individuals to gain jobs then these drug producers will not need the income of drug production. Also, with the lack of drug production, there should be a chain reaction to create a downfall in organized crime as well.

Chile is looking forward to working with the UN’s Security Council to stop this crime and is willing to listen to and hopefully support all solutions to this raging issue.

Topic: Drug Cartels and Organized Crime
Country: China
Delegate Name: Elvira Kate Kovachevich
School: Forest Hills Central High School

Organized crime has stemmed from many country around the world, quickly becoming a world market. The Philippines, Colombia, and Mexico are just three players of this global ring, but three major ones at that. Citizens of these countries smuggle drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamine, and their precursor chemicals. Furthermore, money laundering in both the exporting and importing countries make it possible and facilitate these crimes. It is not just drugs, iron ore has been of high demand lately. While the demand has been to China, it is the job of Mexican officials to check ports that were allowing these substances to enter my country’s water. The situation has been enabled to worsen by the United State’s lack of ability to curb the demand for drugs from its neighboring country. And when financial crises hit the U.S., the syndicates sought to find a new market to sell their cocaine to, thus unleashing the problem onto Asian countries even more. Mexican drug cartels endanger its people by kidnapping them for ransom, torture, and corrupting the government officials. This is a common theme in all of these countries that facilitate black markets.

The world should take on a stance such as one that Xi Jinping has taken: arresting and prosecuting those involved in smuggling imports, have police conduct regular operations to shut down gangs (avoiding corruption in government officials), regulate ports, and ensure that its companies know and respect the laws in which they carry out business with and cooperate trade. This has been proven to work, seeing as though cocaine seizures by Hong Kong customs has increased from 30kg in 2011 to 600kg in 2012. Finally, leaders must agree to meet and negotiate solutions such as how Xi Jinping and Enrique Peña Nieto have.

Although this is a multi-faceted international crisis, China believes that by taking the aforementioned precautions, the profit of organized crime can be cut off which would in turn prevent new organizations from forming. China is willing to work together with other Asian nations in patrolling ports as well as negotiate with leaders to improve trading relations.

Topic: Drug Cartels and Organized Crime
Country: France
Delegate Name: Conrad Elliott
School: Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy

Respecting the boundaries posed by every country's innate national sovereignty is the largest barrier that prevents the international community from uniting against organized crime such as the proliferation of drugs and opiates worldwide. The point of contention is whether or not drug cartels within regions like Mexico and the Philippines can be dealt with even when omitting the use of force. Unfortunately, the nature of these groups of people is one of unbridled violence in order to get their way. In the case of Mexico specifically, drug cartels are responsible for much of the destruction and human suffering that can be seen in towns closely bordering the United States, as well as the tens of thousands of deaths and kidnappings brought alongside that violence.

The recruitment strategy of these groups is one of manipulation, with many of its members originating from a life of poverty and general abuse. Additionally, cartels are known for padding their numbers by kidnapping the younger population and persuading them into joining for a life of reasonable wealth, and if they deny, they are killed.

In regions around Mexico, the bigger cartels such as the Sinaloa and Los Zetas are simply outside the law. They've grown to the point where they are their own organization acting within the boundaries of a government that lacks the means to enforce. Actions could be made to stop such criminal activity, but the likelihood that it would be done without use of force is incredibly low. Arresting members of a large cartel simply aggravates the rest of the criminal population, and it is far too inefficient considering the rate of recruitment among many organizations.

The best the security council can do is enforce all recognized countries that are experiencing narcotic trafficking to regulate their borders and trade ports to the best of their abilities, slowing international drug trade and isolating their area of operations. Only once the veins are severed can the heart of drug-related criminal activity be stopped, and it will never reach this point if the international community reaches common ground, and the countries where cartels are based give organizations against criminal activity legal permission to operate within their borders with the intent of stopping the source.

It's not a solid plan by any means, which is why the country of France is more than open to ideas and, more importantly, effective compromise.

The obvious goal would be to carry out operations that refrain from using force, but based upon the nature of drug cartels, France believes such a goal could never be reached totally.

Topic: Drug Cartels and Organized Crime
Country: Jordan
Delegate Name: Isabel Ivanescu
School: Roeper School

Jordan has been and continues to be deeply troubled by the rise of global crime syndicates funded by the drug trade; not only do these drug cartels sell dangerous and illegal products, they conduct their business with impunity, flagrantly disregarding both laws and human rights, and then use their revenues to fund further illegal activities (including acts of terror) and claim more victims.

Though there are many alarming examples of such groups, one of grave concern to Jordan is Daesh. Recent reports have indicated that the group now controls trafficking routes from abundant suppliers in Northern Afghanistan to the rest of the Middle East, regularly exploits them to traffic cocaine, heroin, and hashish, (1) and potentially accrues a profit of up to $1 billion per year, (2) or nearly half of its total funding, in doing so. Unfortunately we are all familiar with the results of that funding. This is to say that drug smugglers, cartels, and syndicates do not limit their activities to distribution of illegal substances; instead they promulgate radicalism, political instability, and violence, throughout the world. As such, Jordan believes that to the extent of setting policy, this issue falls firmly within the purview of the United Nations Security of Council; after all, it is security, and not merely society, that is under threat.

Jordan firmly believes that only a comprehensive package of both short-term and long-term measures will successfully quell the influx of drugs and the associated consequences they bring to various nations. Regarding the short-term, we must concentrate our efforts at arresting those currently involved in trafficking. Regarding the long-term, we must direct our focus at eliminating both suppliers and buyers.

In order to increase the fraction of smugglers who are caught, nations around the world will have to instate increased border security measures and agree to greater intelligence sharing and cooperation on this topic. Of course, as the principles of sovereignty dictate, whether a nation chooses to adopt these measures and take these precautions is the decision of that nation alone, but it is the purpose of the Security Council to propose the appropriate measures, foster the appropriate willingness, and urge its members to take the appropriate action. Ultimately, however, it is perhaps the destabilizing effects of drug-sponsored crime that pose a larger threat to governmental jurisdiction and territorial integrity than could any actions taken by the United Nations conceivably be seen to violate national sovereignty.

Concerning reducing the supply of drug precursors and products as well as decreasing the clientele, more direct United Nations action is desirable and even necessary. A set of initiatives seeking to provide for farmers who are willing to switch from raising drug related crops to the cultivation of regular produce, if properly funded, could be quite successful. Jordan, for one, does not believe that the length of time requisite for such a switch is insurmountable. It seems that if economic security is guaranteed, farmers who, by large majority, do not otherwise involve themselves in international crime would be favor escaping the danger and stigma of their illicit dealings.

Meanwhile, another broad-based set of initiatives should be instituted to provide education on the effects of drug use, treatment for substance abuse, and overall economic and societal improvement, which is generally a marker of less drug consumption. The Security Council should define the bounds and procedures of all the above initiatives and attempt to provide for their funding, then delegate their actual implementation to the various UN organs and bodies dealing with the specific issues mentioned.

Jordan is most pleased for the opportunity to address these issues systematically and globally, and hopes for the committee’s success.

Notes:

(1) Islamic State Use Drug Trade to Bankroll Their Jihad, Says Spanish Intelligence, Newsweek, 2014

(2) Islamic State Group Now Controls Key Drug Trafficking Routes, Global Research Center for Research on Globalization, 2015

Topic: Drug Cartels and Organized Crime
Country: Lithuania
Delegate Name: Ana Paula Sámano
School: Instituto Educativo Olinca

Organized crime threatens peace and human security, violates human rights and undermines economic, social, cultural, political and civil development of societies around the world. Transnational organized crime manifests in many forms, including as trafficking in drugs, firearms and even persons. At the same time, organized crime groups exploit human mobility to smuggle migrants and undermine financial systems through money laundering. The vast sums of money involved can compromise legitimate economies and directly impact public processes by 'buying' elections through corruption.

In general Lithuania is a relatively safe country with little anti-American sentiment.

But in 2014 the number of reported crimes increased by 2.7 percent from 84,715 offenses. Over half of all crimes were property-related, possibly reflecting the regional economic difficulties. Although organized crime and public corruption exist, the majority of crimes reported to the Regional Security Office consist of economic crimes of opportunity: pickpocketing, residential burglaries, theft from vehicles, and theft of items left unattended.

Organized crime in Lithuania makes a large problem and is the focus of several Lithuanian law enforcement entities. Lithuanian organized crime groups are typically involved in traditional businesses of gambling, smuggling, and nightclubs/bars and in newer businesses like cybercrimes and financial schemes. Due to its membership in the Schengen Area and location between Belarus and Kaliningrad, which are significant sources of criminal activity, Lithuania is a transit state for smuggling activity. The State Border Guard Service has registered an increase in smuggling activity consisting primarily of cigarettes, alcohol, and petrol on the Kaliningrad-Lithuania border.

What would be a possible solution is an economic stability because most of the crimes happening in Lithuania are because they need something to maintain themselves.

Topic: Drug Cartels and Organized Crime
Country: Malaysia
Delegate Name: Arthur Woodworth
School: Kalamazoo Central High School

The issue of illicit drug trafficking is a very serious issue, and one that Malaysia has taken strong actions to prevent. It is an international issue, being the world's largest illicit commodity market, and thus infringes upon national sovereignty due to the international nature of many crime organizations. As such, in order to interdict upon the illicit trade of narcotic drugs, international steps must be taken to minimize the influence of these criminals, such as pushing for harsher punishment of drug smuggling and drug manufacture in member states.

The Security Council does not have many tools to deal with this issue directly, so it must encourage full cooperation of the member states in this situation. In addition, certain aspects of the issue of drug trafficking are perhaps better suited to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, such as drug prevention and organized crime issues. Issues of corruption must also be addressed, as governmental officials are sometimes found to be involved in organized crime, and sometimes allow illicit drugs to pass through regulations, whether for personal gain, or to avoid punishment by organized crime syndicates.

Malaysia encourages its fellow member states of the United Nations to continue towards the goal of ridding our countries of illicit narcotic drugs, and is opposed to measures seeking to decriminalize such drug use, as such drugs are harmful to society and the health of the citizenry. Malaysia hopes to be able to negotiate measures to ensure that illicit drug trafficking is heavily impeded, while protecting national sovereignty.

Topic: Drug Cartels and Organized Crime
Country: New Zealand
Delegate Name: Garrett Auzins
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School

Drug trafficking is an issue that has never had a fully satisfactory response. With transnational crime syndicates undertaking much of the trafficking, the issue inevitably becomes an international one shrouded in darkness. As mentioned in S/PRST/2010/4, the illicit manufacture, transport, and sale of these narcotics has proved to be a financial lifeline for these syndicates: an estimated 35% of the crime syndicate Yamaguchi-gumi’s comes from drug trafficking; the 14k Triad functions primarily on the trafficking of heroin and opium; the Solntsevskaya Bratva act as one of the external operators in smuggling drugs out of Latin America. Yet, being that these crime syndicates operate within countries, where the profit from drug trafficking fuels several other illegal activities that undermine the rule of law in countries operation, such as the bribery of national officials, extortion of civilians, and killings with intent of intimidation, this is as much a national issue as it is an international one. And with several countries’ farmers, such as those in Mexico and Afghanistan, under pressure of terrorist organizations to grow narcotic crops, the issue is complicated further. The balance between national sovereignty and international law will forever remain a gray area, but we must address the topic at hand with as much cognizance given to the victims of this process as we shall give to the legal proceedings.

Drug trafficking in New Zealand is nothing unfamiliar.Just this April, authorities broke up two seemingly unrelated gangs and seized 123 kg of methamphetamine in Auckland. For decades, the drug trade in New Zealand flourished. In the early 2000s, it was worth billions of dollars. In response, in 2007, we established the Organized & Financial Crime Agency New Zealand (OFCANZ), a part of the New Zealand Police, to ease cooperation amongst various government agencies on the topic of organised crime, to combat the problem. And in 2013, to counteract increased rate of production of synthetics, we passed the Psychoactive Substances Act, which legalised a strictly regulated sale of synthetic drugs, allowing for a severe downsizing of the otherwise very profitable synthetics market. OFCANZ has had multiple successes, including the aforementioned, in conducting investigations and helping busts. The Psychoactive Substances Act has removed organised crime from trade of synthetic drugs, and burst the creators into the public eye for accountability.

We, as individual nations, need to lend our full cooperation to the UNODC. New Zealand recommends that an investigative branch be added to the UNODC, granting it the ability to conduct investigations alongside country officials, allowing for coordinated information-gathering and effective prosecution. However, New Zealand urges the United Nation to let national sovereignty rule when it comes to determining drug laws in individual countries, for drugs vary from locale, and the most successful way to combat drug spread is by allocating control of drug laws to the nation affected.

Topic: Drug Cartels and Organized Crime
Country: Nigeria
Delegate Name: Henry Atkins
School: Grand Rapids City High School

The Federal Republic of Nigeria has worked tirelessly to damage and dismantle organized criminal groups both inside and outside of our borders. Working in collaboration with the European Union and African Union, Nigeria has cracked down on international cocaine smugglers and other organized criminal groups. At this meeting of the United Nations Security Council, Nigeria wishes to reach a comprehensive and collaborative solution to what truly is a global problem.

The Federal Republic of Nigeria firmly believes that to successfully address this pressing matter, a comprehensive approach should be adopted by the Security Council. Firstly, developing nations must be equipped with the tools to effectively disrupt and dismantle organized crime. In particular, developed nations should assist through the provision of technological resources and security assistance in the form of funding, training, and equipment. Secondly, the United Nations must also remember that not all those who struggle with drug addiction are criminals. Funds for treatment and rehabilitation must be procured at this meeting if we are truly to help our most vulnerable citizens. The Federal Republic of Nigeria has implemented such programs and found them immensely helpful in combating the flow of drugs in society. Moreover, meaningful economic development must be achieved if we are to damage the strength of organized criminal groups.

Collaboration is key for the success of these efforts. National borders mean nothing to those who disrespect the rule of law, and it is not uncommon for smuggled substances to travel across the globe from where they are first produced. For years, the Federal Republic of Nigeria has worked to combat Indian hemp addiction within our borders, even though that substance is produced in Asia. It is the firm belief of the Republic of Nigeria that nations must cooperate with each other in order to effectively reduce organized crime. At both the regional and global level, countries must be willing to share information and resources in order to damage these groups. Nigeria looks forward to collaborating with all members of the Security Council in order to resolve this pressing issue.

Topic: Drug Cartels and Organized Crime
Country: Russia
Delegate Name: Joe Zalewski
School: Royal Oak High School

Drug cartels are becoming a more and more prominent issue in the world as organized crime and terrorist groups are becoming more and more able to hide from law enforcement. These terrorist organizations and organized crime syndicates are using drug money to fuel their other nefarious missions. There are a few tools that the Security Council has that can deal with these groups. First, we can help promote economic growth by lifting economic sanctions from some of the regions that these drug cartels are originating. One of the main reasons why we see such large drug cartels and drug issues in impoverished regions is because there are no viable businesses for these people to invest in or earn money at. It is very easy for them to live comfortably off drug money. We need to help promote economic growth and one way to do that is to lift some sanctions off nations who have shown a readiness to assist the global community. Another way we can combat these groups is to stem the trade of illegal firearms. These groups find a lot of funding in the sale of weapons in war zones, which in turn, funds their organized crime and drug operations. We need to tighten up on inspections of international trade groups to help stop the firearm trade from continuing to strengthen international crime syndicates. A solution without Russia involved will lack an important view in Security Council. Only then can we put a rest to the global issue of drug cartels and organized crime.

Topic: Drug Cartels and Organized Crime
Country: Spain
Delegate Name: Zakary Zazula
School: Vicksburg High School

The influence of drug cartels and organized crime has become a serious issue all over the globe. The people of Spain feel that more can be done to try and stem their presence in our world. There are several tools that the Security Council has at its disposal to combat these growing threats. The first option is that we cut off the drug supplies at the source and use international cooperation to crack down on the cartels and the money they are receiving from the drug trade.

Spain also urges that the Security Council make and effort to restrict these organized group's access to weapons. The weapons trade not only brings more financial stability, but also a means for which these cartels and crime groups can assert their dominance. The people of Spain also feel that respecting a nation's sovereignty is also important when taking these steps. Spain further believes that by stemming of the drug cartel before it can reach another nation is the only way to keep said group from infringing upon the sovereignty of other nations.

Furthermore, if a country does not need the assistance e in handling these cartels or crime groups, we must respect the sovereign rights of that nation to be able to handle their own issues. However, if massive loss of life or a serious threat is being posed by a crime group or drug cartel, then it is our job as a council to step in and do what is right for that nation's citizens. Spain believes that through thorough inspections and stronger restrictions on the movement of drugs into our countries, the looming threat of these groups will begin to cease. Therefore, Spain suggests that other UN organizations, such as the UNODC, can be utilized in order to allow more nations to be involved in the combating of drug cartels and organized crime groups.

Topic: Drug Cartels and Organized Crime
Country: United Kingdom
Delegate Name: Nicholas Minor
School: Mattawan High School

Drug trafficking has long been an issue of the world community. While it’s impossible to completely eradicate the awful nature of addictive and debilitating drugs, it is possible to at the very least stem the tide of illegal substances. No longer can the UN Security Council take a back seat on the issue, as drug use in the world has never been higher. It is the duty of the council to help countries most vulnerable fight this war on drugs. A war that according to many we are losing. Drugs are imbedded in world culture and any solution must consider the economic impact that this will have in countries like Columbia, Bolivia, and Brazil,

that sadly now rely heavily on the drug trade.

One must also consider, not just the countries producing and selling the drugs, but also the consumers. Among those consuming drugs, and in effect contributing to the world wide drug trade, are namely the US, Brazil, and a large majority of western European nations. The United Kingdom recognizes that educating citizens in countries who routinely abuse illegal substances is crucial to any longterm solution suggested by the council.

Although at the heart of any solution must be United Nations support for anti-drug policing in countries most in need. Countries such as Mexico, Afghanistan, and Columbia, all have drug enforcement agencies that must be funded and supplied to stop the production of drugs at its roots. The United Kingdom also realizes the corruption associated with such agencies, so as a precaution the United Kingdom suggests some form of UN oversight on the agencies selected to be funded. Their only task being helping and assisting theses agencies to do there jobs and to report back to the United Nations on if these funds are being used properly.

Topic: Drug Cartels and Organized Crime
Country: United States
Delegate Name: Kendall Gardner
School: Fishers High School

The United States of America is a key proponent of the reduction of drug abuse and trafficking throughout the international community. The United States recognizes the importance of curtailing drug production and trade in order to restore stability to not only the countries exporting narcotics, but the countries receiving these illegal drugs.

In the past, the United States has combated drug cartels by focusing on diminishing both the supply and demand of drugs through international cooperation. The United States has also advocated the disruption of the drug trade by police or military forces. To enforce the war on drugs, the United States has established two key plans, the U.S. National Drug Control Strategy and International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, both of which are updated annually and mandated by the U.S. Congress. To combat regional drug issues, the U.S. has created several different strategies: Mérida Initiative and Strategy in Mexico, Central American Citizen Security Partnership, Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI), U.S.-Colombia Strategic Development Initiative (CSDI), U.S. Counternarcotics Strategy for Afghanistan, and West Africa Cooperative Security Initiative (WACSI). These initiatives are all focused on combating the narcotic issues in specific regions because the United States believes that the best way to solve this problem is through regional focus and support from the international community.

To effectively solve this problem through the Security Council, the United States recommends reducing drug production at the source while also reducing demand in other nations, disrupting the transit of illicit drugs, dismantling international drug networks, and incentivizing international cooperation to staunch the flow of illegal drugs. The United States understands that there are different approaches for how to solve this issue, but it believes that these tactics are the most efficient ways to solve the problem without infringing severely upon the national sovereignty of any one nation. The United States is willing to compromise on these issues, but there must be an effective strategy implemented to clearly designate how the issue of drug trafficking will be halted internationally. Although the United States supports the use of the Security Council to create a strategy to solve this problem, other UN organs such as the UNODC can be utilized to allow more nations to be involved in combating drug cartels and organized crime.

Topic: Drug Cartels and Organized Crime
Country: Venezuela
Delegate Name: Aidan Rosario
School: East Grand Rapids High School

Drug Trafficking and the vast Cartels that peddle illicit substances have become a significant global concern: from the Hashish and Opium trade in Afghanistan that is helping to finance hostile organizations to the widespread involvement of Cocaine in Latin American politics and internal conflicts. Not only drugs are being touted internationally. The Venezuelan Oil industry has been hit hard by smuggling into Colombia.

Many of the US’s plans to wage a war on drugs have ended catastrophically. Essentially no change has occurred in the Mexican drug trade, but police brutality and government corruption has increased. Over two-thirds of all weapons used by Mexican Drug Cartels can be traced back to the US. Colombian People’s Army FARC is responsible for 60% of America’s supply of cocaine, and Plan Colombia, another US funded anti-drug anti-leftist program, actually saw an increase in cocaine production and distribution in Colombia.

One option would be the global decriminalization of many illicit substances which would comprehensively strip Drug Cartels of their money and power while also allowing states to tax these goods and build infrastructure. However, an investigation is needed in order to root out the ubiquitous corruption of government officials in many of the affected regions. Additionally, providing funds to governments committed to fighting organized crime will be necessary in order to increase security around common trade routes.

Venezuela is certain that the best way to fight Drug Cartels and organized crime is to decriminalize the substances, therefore reducing the profitability of drug trafficking. Treating addiction and drug abuse as public health issues instead, will further decrease the market demand for highly addictive substances.