South Africa - Drug Barons Target 2010

A top detective has revealed how drug barons are increasingly targeting the region by concealing illicit narcotics in everyday items like surfboards and cricket bats and smuggling them in at poorly policed ports, harbours and on inter-city buses. Researchers say drug lords have begun an aggressive campaign to increase their clientele ahead of next year‘s FIFA World Cup and they fear the problem could spiral out of control as drug lords stock up ahead of 2010. Previous tournaments have seen a sharp rise in drug abuse, prostitution and human trafficking in host nations. Teenagers are being targeted more aggressively, according to police. Monitoring unsuspecting teens, the drug peddlers approach them and offer “tasters” or “demo packs” to hook them. Once addicted, the teens typically go on to sell drugs to their friends at school. Teenagers from upmarket areas now use their parent‘s petrol cards to fill dealer‘s cars in exchange for drugs. Researchers also say the country has one of the world‘s fastest-growing drug markets.
http://www.weekendpost.co.za/article.aspx?id=422966