Pubdate: Fri, 21 Aug 1998
Source: Hufvudstadsbladet (Finland)
Address: MannerheimvE4gen 18, 00100 Helsingfors, Finland
Contact:  http://www.hbl.fi
Translation: John Yates

CANNABIS TRADE OUT OF CONTROL

It is impossible to fight the massive cannabis trade in Greenland as it
involves the whole of society according to Hans Haahr, chief of Greenland
s
Drug Squad, in a statement to Radio Greenland.

The Drug Squad estimates that the trade in cannabis is worth 75 million
US dollars, which is equivalent to nearly 10 per cent of the annual gross
national product, including the economic assistence from Denmark. This
makes the cannabis trade Greenlands third largest industry measured in
annual turnover.

Businessmen are involved, according to the police, as they accept drug
money and launder it in trading with snowscooters, boats and stereo
equipment.

Large segments of the population smoke cannabis regularly, while business
es
earn millions through money laundering, says Hans Haahr. He adds that all
social groups smoke cannabis and that there are school teachers who sell
cannabis to pupils.

According to Hans Haahr politicians are responsible for the out of
control cannabis trade.

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