ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada - OFFICIALS of the Royal Grenada Police Force have indicated that the importation of illegal drugs into and through the country has been on the increase in the past year, possibly as a result of the global economic crisis.

The increase in black market drug trade was seen dramatically between the years of 2007 and 2008, according to reports presented by the Head of the Police Force Drug Squad, Superintendent Rodriguez James.

Grenada’s main drug of marijuana remained relatively constant in terms of flow, with 339.07kgs seized in 2007 and 369.25kgs taken by the Drug Squad in 2008. James noted that nearly 80 percent of the marijuana in Grenada comes from neighbouring St. Vincent & the Grenadines.

Cocaine trafficking, on the other hand, saw an astronomical boost of over 1 400 percent in 2008. While only 6.88kgs of the substance were confiscated in 2007, an astounding 104.04kgs were found in the country in 2008.

Furthermore, James said the Drug Squad had taken $26,926.23 in drug money in 2008 - over double of the $9 995 confiscated in 2007.

The Superintendent was reported in Grenada Today as saying that the Drug Squad believes “the prevailing economic situation has resulted in some vulnerable and needy persons falling easy prey to drug lords”.

While the trafficking of illicit substances may lure persons with the promise of easy money, James said that they should also be aware of the serious consequences related. He noted that in the past four months, two persons died from complications when the packages of cocaine they were smuggling in their intestinal tracts burst open.

Grenada is believed to be one of the many landing points in the trans-Atlantic drug shipment route between South America and Europe, and James said that he and his team have been taking proactive measures to prevent drugs from entering the country’s borders.

Because of ongoing international partnerships, James said that Grenada was able to seize 3 000kg of cocaine before it entered into the nation’s jurisdiction during 2008.

For those drug dealers that do manage to make it into the country, James noted that harsh penalties would be handed down in the judicial system.