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. - ---