MEPs approve measures to fight traffickers

Date: 02/05/02

MEPS have moved to step up efforts to combat 'Mafia-style' drug trafficking across the European Union.

They have approved measures which aim to establish harmonised procedures for dealing with offenders in each member state. If the plan is adopted, it means there will be common penalties for drug traffickers, with sentences of up to seven years.

At present, sentencing policy differs widely across the Union, with sentences for the same offence ranging from two to 20 years.

In Sweden, for instance, the most serious type of drug trafficking is punishable by a maximum of ten years in jail; in Belgium, an offender can get 20 years while in France, the leader of a drug-trafficking gang can be imprisoned for life.

Differences between member states' laws have encouraged criminals to seek extradition to a country with a lighter sentencing policy.

The new measures mean that everyone stands to receive the same sentence for the same offence, irrespective of where the crime is committed.

The move, approved by members of the justice and home affairs committee last week, was widely welcomed by MEPs, including Liberal Democrat Sarah Ludford.

The former lawyer said: 'This is an important step forward in the ongoing war against drugs.

'It will prevent Mafia-style gangs of drug traffickers from taking advantage of the fact that they are treated differently in different countries.

'They will no longer be able to shop around for legal loopholes.

'Drug trafficking is an international problem and must be robustly tackled at an international level with effective police cooperation,' she added.

The measure, still to be adopted by the Council of Ministers, is due to come into force by June 2003.

MEPs have moved to step up efforts to combat drug trafficking across the European Union, by approving measures which aim to establish harmonised procedures for dealing with offenders in each Member State.