Pubdate: Mon, 05 Sep 2005
Source: Asharq Al-Awsat
Copyright: 2005 Saudi Research and Publishing company
Contact:  http://aawsat.com/english/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3838
Author: Mounif Al-Safouqi

SAUDI ARABIA: TERRORIST GROUPS TRADING DRUGS FOR MONEY AND EXPLOSIVES

Riyadh, Asharq Al-Awsat - Smuggling operations in Saudi Arabia have 
drastically changed in the last three years with border patrols seizing an 
unprecedented amount of weapons, explosives and drugs.

According to security sources, drug dealing, terrorism and money laundering 
are closely related as aborted smuggling operations in the Kingdom have 
revealed.

Terrorism, sources point out, requires financing. International measures 
adopted to curb the access of terrorists to funds mean they can no longer 
rely on mainstream financial institutions such as banks and charity 
organizations. Instead, they resort to smuggling money, sometimes in 
partnership with criminal networks to protect themselves from security 
crackdowns. In many cases, terrorist networks provide drugs in exchange for 
money, arms, ammunitions, and logistical support which criminal gangs are 
renowned for, such as forging documents, transporting illicit substances, 
and hiding them.

Previous studies have suggested that the drug trade in particular 
flourished in areas controlled by armed groups and in regions where 
military conflicts are raging. The significant profit obtained from 
trafficking drugs enables these armed groups to continue their activities. 
In turn, terrorists benefit from these procedures, especially in sparsely 
populated areas, regions beyond the government's reach, and in conflict zones.

Faced with increasingly successful security operations, terrorists have had 
to change tactics. As communication between networks became increasingly 
difficult, members were caught or killed by the security forces that also 
disrupted their plans.

Last Thursday, a Saudi border patrol seized a large number of homemade 
explosives made of iron and construction materials which terrorists are 
known to manufacture using instructions found on militant internet sites. 
Raw materials are no longer smuggled into the Kingdom and then assembled by 
expert bomb makers as the government has increased its control of incoming 
goods at the borders and caught many smuggling arms and explosives. In 
addition, companies involved in the buying, selling, or manufacturing of 
bomb materials were ordered to provide details on its clients and the 
purposes of the transactions. A number of terrorist experts in explosives 
were killed in clashes with the security forces further denting the 
abilities of terrorist groups to carry out attacks inside Saudi Arabia.

The latest confiscations have revealed an extensive network for making and 
smuggling explosives whereby a number of Islamic militant groups in 
neighboring countries prepare the bombs and groups in the Kingdom transport 
and store them in preparation for terrorist attacks.

According to informed sources, recent security operations have uncovered a 
number of hideouts leading to a dwindling supply of explosives in the hands 
of militants who now suffer from a lack of high-grade material.

In the first terrorist bombings, which targeted housing compounds in May 
2003 and November 2003, C4 explosives were used. This material was widely 
available in Eastern European countries after the fall of communism. 
Organized criminal gangs bought large amounts of C4 and weapons and later 
exchanged them for drugs. In a paper presented to an international 
conference against terrorism held in Riyadh in February 2005, the Ministry 
of Interior indicated that smuggling was concentrated in the southern 
regions of Asir, Jizan, and Najran.

Illicit border activities are rife because of the vastness of Saudi Arabia 
and the varied landscape. The Kingdom shares a land border covering 4500 km 
with seven countries and a sea border with ten countries. The kingdom's 
historical role as a link between different regions also makes it suitable 
grounds for smuggling. Statistics released by the Ministry show that an 
incredible 14.8 million ammunition pieces, 16.3 thousand arms and 1282 kg 
of explosives were seized between 2000 and 2004, mostly in the south.

In order to neutralize the danger posed by terrorists, the Kingdom enlarged 
relevant departments and created 40 teams comprising experts in explosives. 
Specialized bodies were established to respond to terrorism and coordinate 
with friendly countries and defend its territory.
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MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman