Hello, very good morning to everyone. I am Liz Wendy Quadros, a retired
Lieutenant Colonel of the Colombian Police, an expert in drug issues and
drug policy matters. We are going to look at the Specialized Course. Within
the Specialized Course on Precursor Control, we will cover the topic of
plans to combat drug trafficking. It is important that we start with an
introduction to what happened in Colombia and how this influences the
entire dynamics of trafficking in the world. We see that Colombia has a
painful history since 1980, marked by a series of assassinations,
terrorism, all associated with and financed by drug trafficking. We see a
hegemony of cartels with what they call drug trafficking. We see what we
knew about the Medellin Cartel, the Valley Cartel and how it has had a
significant impact on what we know today about international trafficking
organizations. We see what is happening in Colombia with three phenomena
known as guerrilla warfare, drug trafficking, self-defense groups, and
organized crime, and how they play a predominant role. In the trafficking
and production of drugs in the country, which is reflected on a global
scale. Look at the timeline where in 1990 we see the photo of Luis Carlos
Galen Sarmiento, who was a presidential candidate at the time and was
assassinated by the Medellin cartel under Pablo Escobar Gaviria. This was
all due to the pursuit of a law of submission so that they would not be
subjected to extradition. We see that around the year 2000 there is a
turning point. With this, we can see that there is a turning point. With
the end of the cartels, and we experience a fragmentation in the way we
understand the chain of illicit drugs. We also observe the emergence of
other phenomena of criminal symbiosis that begin to impact citizen security
and global security. If we look at it from a strategic context in the
international arena, we can say that there are well-defined phenomena.
regarding the connection of international actors, how they are reflected in
Colombian territory, such as the known cartels or Mexican cartels, Balkan
groups, Italian mafias, and the family of the North, which are beginning to
have a greater influence. After all that we have seen, regarding what has
happened in Colombia, where we had a hegemony of Colombians against the
cartels, we now observe an incidence of that international mafia in drug
trafficking. We are beginning to see phenomena such as the Pacific Ocean
becoming a primary launch point for international drug trafficking, which
has always been one of the predominant routes. In the context of
international trafficking, the African continent as a strategic and
recurring point, in emerging routes from South America. Those routes that
we knew from Colombia to Central America and North America, which was the
main trafficking country a few years ago, now we see how these routes
through Brazil and these routes through South America to Africa are
starting to have a greater influence on the economic aspects of drug
trafficking. We began to review the issue of the consumer, no longer as a
criminal actor, but as a public health problem, a responsibility of the
states and the cultivator, discussing the three main producing countries,
Colombia, Peru and Bolivia. Becoming a vulnerable actor, and we see that
this was pronounced in a gas in 2016. We also see illicit drugs as a threat
to national and international security. These armed actors are beginning to
have a greater influence in all trafficking organizations around the world,
and their illicit profits are starting to intertwine with other types of
crimes that we will examine when we look at the system of illicit drugs,
such as how these new crimes, like money laundering, are beginning to have
a greater impact on drug trafficking. We see that there is a boom in new
trafficking technologies, and how the globalization of communication is
also beginning to play a predominant role in trafficking issues. We do not
see this trafficking as we have always known it with large tons of drugs,
but rather as organizations dealing with small quantities, 5, 10, 15 grams
a day, as they can achieve greater profits, with the prices that are
handled in other countries. One aspect that changes the topic of drugs is
the emergence of new psychoactive substances, and within this specialized
course on control and investigation of drug precursors, it is very
important because we will see how these precursors and pre-precursors, the
trafficking between countries and the tools that we have as countries can
be an immense help for the topic of investigation. The content of the
course is already in your manuals. We have already covered the
introduction. I think it is very important for you to have a context of
what happened or how we got here, what strategic design and plans against
drug trafficking are, how a strategic design is made, what the hemispheric
action plan on drugs is, and how it can help us to work on it in our
countries. We will also see how we transition from the drug trafficking
chain to the system of illicit drugs, discussing this in a more
professional manner through an analysis aimed at truly impacting the entire
drug system known worldwide. We are going to review what the production
subsystem is, what the trafficking, distribution and marketing system is,
what the related crimes are and who the key actors are. We are also going
to talk a little bit about synthetic drugs within the specialised course on
precursor control and drug investigation, as it is very important for you
to understand how the new dynamics of trafficking are developing in the
world and how this influences the formulation of a plan to combat drug
trafficking. We are going to review what the early warning systems are and
their importance for the fight plans, as well as the regional programmes we
have for strafing, strengthening operational support. Global programmes
have been established that greatly support us in operational matters to
develop plans, but also to carry out transnational operations. We will see
how scientific evidence is the foundation for developing a plan to combat
trafficking, and how this evidence plays an important role. We are going to
learn about the Esmeralda strategy within the successful operational plans
that have been implemented against drug trafficking in the world, what the
challenges are, and what an operational impact strategy of transversal
support entails. Let's look at the challenges and perspectives we face
regarding the illicit drug trade. We will review a little, if time permits,
Ecuador, Panama and El Salvador, but if not, I have sent you the books that
have been written on this topic in the bibliography to support you in the
development of the course. We are going to start with the strategic design
of plans against drug trafficking. So if we talk from the perspective of
strategic planning, what would strategic design be? It is the design
methodology focused on solvency, solving complex problems. We will discuss
this from the perspective of administration, but how do we apply it from
the operational side, now that the problem has been thoroughly identified?
We will begin to design strategies in order to generate value in all
aspects of the problem and to efficiently and effectively develop a
prototype or a plan that allows us to have a real impact. Within the
operational levels of planning in a comprehensive manner. Let us see what a
plan is, what a program is, what a project is and what a task or activity
is and it is important to differentiate them. This is not a class on
administration, so I will only mention strategic design but it is very
important to include it in the plans against drug trafficking. Why? Because
you are going to differentiate within your project, within your plan which
activities and tasks you need to assign as you have to integrate the work
of various units in order to achieve an effective result. So, within the
plans there are the decisions that are generated to express a fundamental
political decision. The plan, let's say, will be the baseline from which we
will start what the objective is or what my client, my audience wants in
order to be able to work. So in this topic We will look at what the
reduction of the trafficking of chemical precursors is, what programs can
be operationalized or are focused on achieving the plan, and what measures
and actions are aimed at guiding the goal. Who we need to establish the
objective of the plan, and how is that objective established? Where we are
headed? Within the projects are the concrete activities that we will have
to fulfill for the development of the plan. For the plan, what tasks have
been identified for all the actors involved in the operationalization and
what activities and the time we will develop? For the implementation of the
plan, here we see the five steps of the strategic planning process. So, we
can say that from the perspective of administration or engineering, the
fundamental values are the guiding principles of the organization. What are
we aiming for? What is the image? Or how do we see it? We see ourselves
reflected in a few years. What is the highest level objective we have for
the development of strategic planning? The description. What is the
objective of the business? What is my objective? The reduction of the
trafficking of chemical substances, which is the reduction of drug
trafficking, the capture or dismantling of organizations. What is the
objective that we will have within this strategic map that we are going to
create? What are the priorities that we will have within the plan? These
initiatives, and how will we see them graphically represented so that they
are understandable not only for the head of the organization but for all
those who will be involved in the development of the plan? As a second
topic, we have here the Hemispheric Action Plan on drugs. We were asking
what the Hemispheric Action Plan was and how it was being proposed in order
to work on it. So, we reviewed what it is and where it comes from. The
Hemispheric Action Plan Against Drugs presents the objectives and priority
actions of the OAS member states to consider when formulating and
implementing programs, policies, and projects related to drugs. It can be
said that these have already been identified by the countries. And the
Hemispheric Action Plan can serve as a tool to provide best practices based
on the lessons learned regarding reduction and demand issues as well as to
utilize international cooperation as a unique tool or strategy to develop
operations with real impact. We know that this is not a crime that affects
only one country or within the borders of a country, but rather it
necessitates regional coordination. Usand also allows us to achieve greater
coordination from SICAT and other OAS bodies with a broader exchange of
experiences regarding our approach to respecting human rights. But how can
these plans be intervened for health, for the protection of children, to
work on operations against corruption, money laundering and organized
crime? This multifaceted evaluation mechanism created by SICAT aims to
monitor the Hemispheric Plan on drugs as it is an instrument that
strengthens the policies and measures established regarding drug issues and
the plans set up to work within the States. The Plan The Hemispheric Plan
has 12 objectives which we have listed here in the presentation. We are
focusing on objective number 3 which is related to the topic of
interdiction or the monitoring that is carried out to control and
counteract the trafficking of chemical substances. so i was showing them
here the objective within the pillars we have named the pillars as
institutional strengthening therefore what are the treatment measures the
support for recovery the measures to counteract cultivation and trafficking
the distribution of chemical substances the distribution of illicit drugs
and processed drugs the research information monitoring and evaluation
which is where i want us to focus and how international cooperation plays a
predominant role within the hemispheric action plan here in the following
slide we see the 12 objectives established to implement measures to control
and counteract the cultivation production and trafficking and distribution
of illicit activities within the third pillar which is the pillar that we
will be reviewing or using to establish a plan against drug trafficking
seven very important objectives are set out because all of them will
support the work that will be carried out it speaks of the objective to
develop and strengthen national interdiction capabilities and it is
important that you carry it out what are the capabilities that the country
or institution has for the intervention regarding the issue of drugs what
do we know what are the institutions that make up this drug control system
in each of their countries what problems do we face regarding the system of
illicit drugs including production trafficking and marketing who are the
driving actors the second objective discusses strengthening national
measures to address the challenges posed by new psychoactive substances and
we discussed here at the beginning how these new psychoactive substances
are bringing about a change in the reconfiguration of drug trafficking at a
global level and how they serve as a supplier within the economic tools
that an organization has not to mention it from the illicit side the
objectives are already outlined in your manuals here in the presentation
that is provided for you but it is very important that you are familiar
with them as these objectives will provide you with tools to work on the
issue of control to counteract the trafficking of chemical substances in
your countries we are going to talk about how the analysis was conducted in
Colombia regarding the drug trafficking chain and illicit drug systems
Since 2013, extensive research has been carried out to review how this.
Changing and dynamic drug trafficking presents us with challenges to
counteract, maintain or slow down. The goal of completely ending drug
trafficking will not be part of the plans we are going to forge, but rather
how we can counteract or control some aspects of the systems in the chain,
which you will start to name when we see them. Here, we know that the
productive chain of drug trafficking consists of five known pillars,
including the suppliers. Two, cultivates, what tools are used, what
equipment is involved and what methods are employed for the technological
advancement of crops. Then we see that there was a productive system
because after moving from cultivation, we had a system where the leaf is
produced. So we had laboratories or extraction infrastructures,
crystallization laboratories and laboratories for semi-synthetic processes,
as in the case of heroin. And we can say that part of the production is
what we refer to as the productive system. We had a part in transit that
was distribution, a collection center, a concealment center, transport
methods, established routes, a destination, and a person who sent someone
to receive. Regarding the topic of marketing, what products were being
made, cocaine, marijuana, heroin, and at that time with synthetic drugs,
more than 1,000 that have been identified. What type of product, what was
its price, how it was promoted, what was the point of sale or what those
points of sale were like, whether it was on the street, online, or
delivered to homes. In terms of demand, demographically, age and gender,
who were the main consumers, whether women or men. In certain age groups,
so we started to conduct these consumption studies to review. The
characteristics of this community or the consumer. The consuming population
in the world. So, having analyzed this productive system, a productive
chain, as it was previously known in the context of drug trafficking, we
are committed to it. So, we are going to talk about the system of illicit
drugs. We have already discussed a production system and a criminal system,
and we will see how, based on the conceptualization and methodologies. The
system of illicit drugs was established, along with each of the subsystems
and related components, and what their contribution was to the system in
terms of the organization and formulation of strategies. This helps us in
guiding actions against the phenomenon. The system of illicit drugs is
described based on seven characteristics. We will quickly look at five or
six. The first is that it functions as a system, which means that it meets
the characteristics of general systems theory. We see how they interact in
the graph you are looking at, how the subsystems of production,
trafficking, distribution and marketing, along with crimes and crimes. The
second is that they have a connection, and when they have a connection,
they have an interaction, centered around the dynamic actors. What are the
driving actors for each of the subsystems? That exists. Two is an illicit
business model based on the basic dynamics of supply and demand. One,
supply chain of narcotics, we include the entire topic of new psychoactive
substances. When we say that it is an illicit business model, we mean that
it is based on the need to have interaction or outsourcing with each of the
parts of the subsystems. So, let us take the production subsystem as an
example. We see in the production subsystem, as shown in the graph, that it
discusses the cultivation of inputs and precursors of the chemical
substances used for processing, in laboratories to convert the substances,
the production of the substances, and those laboratories or reoxicaderos
where the issues of purity or cutting are examined. All of these have
interactions, and all involve specific actors, thus presenting a model
regarding what would be an illicit business. We also see, how the topic of
manufacturing comes into play in this production subsystem, and we see how
it intertwines. The third aspect may be that it maintains, a complement of
the subsystems that compose it, we are already discussing how one subsystem
needs the other in order to endure. If we were to talk about it as a chain,
then breaking it would result in a fractured system, but in reality, that
is not the case, it will always need, after production, to have a
trafficking system, to be able to distribute it, and to have crimes that
support the entire financial aspect. There is a complementarity of the
subsystems that make it up through two factors, input and output. Thus, the
entry point is the fundamental element of the system, where the origin of
the entire drug supply is established, along with the entire criminal
framework, created by the actors to ensure the availability of drugs. So
when we talk about primary commentary, it supplies the system with the
operational needs that are within the information and the money. In each
subsystem, we also have some secondary inputs, which include production,
seeds, supplies, chemical substances, logistical materials, the quantity of
drugs, distribution systems, and routes. So we see how we have these two
parts in four. we would need to integrate the five subsystems that comprise
the entire operation of the drug system where the institutional challenges
and obstacles faced in each of the trafficking locations are also included
including starting with each of the subsystems we will talk about the
production subsystem which is the point of origin for the supply of drugs
pardon the framework of the illicit drug system where availability is
guaranteed and where the entire process begins with substances of natural
synthetic and semi-synthetic origin as well as what we now know as NSBs new
psychoactive substances here we see some byproducts of the drug system here
we see some byproducts or derivatives of the leaf we are talking about
basic cocaine paste which is the first product obtained after the
extraction of the alkaloid from the leaf then we talk about a base of
cocaine where we already have the intervention of a new substance potassium
permanganate in order to obtain basic cocaine paste then we talk about a
reoxidation as the producers here in Colombia refer to it which is when a
general cleaning is done to this base that has been reviewed or received
from various producers, and the final product in coca derivatives is
cocaine. So here, also in the production subsystem, let me change that. As
we know, the different infrastructures for processing, we will look at the
extraction infrastructure, the primary structure where we use some
chemicals. Here it is important to know that in Colombia there is
regulation concerning four essential substances, but three of them are
related to the processing of coca derivatives. In the first laboratory, the
extraction laboratory, we have the extraction infrastructures, where
sulfuric acid is used. So we have as essential substances sulfuric acid for
the primary structure, potassium permanganate for the primary structure,
for the reoxidation or purification process, and hydrochloric acid for the
conversion or processing of the cocaine base. The fourth substance that we
have as a controlled substance of special control among the four essential
ones is acetic anhydride for the processing of heroin. In the case of coca
derivatives, you can see here the presentation of how these chemicals are
involved in each of these stages of processing and their implications. Drug
processing infrastructures can be classified in this way. The extraction
infrastructure, which we have already seen, is where the basic cocaine
paste is processed. The reoxidation or purity infrastructure, where we have
the addition of potassium permanganate to achieve this cleaning and purity.
The infrastructures for converting cocaine into acrylic have been found
more frequently in recent years in Colombia, which are the artisanal
production infrastructures for substances. So I spoke to them about these
substances that have become essential. And due to having special control,
organizations have started to carry out. Artisanal processing of these
substances and have also established infrastructures for the artisanal
production of chemical substances. So we have infrastructures for the
production of sulfuric acid, potassium permanganate and hydrochloric acid.
This places a greater responsibility on the knowledge of these chemical
substances. That must be understood. For the processing of drugs of natural
origin, when we talk about the subsystem of production and trafficking, we
are discussing the roots of new markets and transportation is the
fundamental and determining factor for the formation of a market. So, the
circulation of remote regions, you can see on the map that it shows us
drug-producing countries, as well as transit countries and consumer
countries. So, let's say that here we start to see new roots that have been
established, but through the analysis that has been conducted, the illicit
drug system also considers which factors are taken into account by the
organizations. The drug system also manages concepts of quality,
opportunity, time and costs. We see how, as I mentioned at the beginning
during the introduction, these large shipments are often no longer the
determining factor for a trafficking organization. Instead, we observe
organizations that, for example, send 5, 10 or 15 grams a day. The places
in Oceania where 1 kg of cocaine can be priced above $200,000 compared to
the $2,500 it costs to produce here in Colombia, making it quite profitable
for an organization. So, we see that these organizations seek to understand
their coverage both in international and national geography, and they
establish new markets or new routes. In the new routes used for cocaine, we
observe the proliferation of maritime and aerial routes, which can be seen
on the map, as well as land routes that favor the globalization of the
issue. Over a period of time, a route can hold significance for drug
trafficking, and we also see how, due to the pressures exerted by state
control, some routes may be abandoned. There is a very interesting study
that was conducted with Michigan State University, called following, The
Price of Cocaine. You can look it up in English, and it is also included in
the bibliography I sent you, where an analysis was made regarding how the
price of cocaine established certain routes. So, We saw, for example,
trafficking routes that have been established here in Colombia for the exit
of drugs, which were also a trafficking route for the entry of drugs into
the country. It is therefore very important to have primary and
complementary information in order to establish what the trafficking routes
are and what plans need to be put in place to make them interceptable. Here
I am showing you a whole issue of prices, so we see that, while it was
$1,500.02, $1,500, in North America we have up to $40,000, in Europe up to
$70,000, and in Oceania from $100,000 and above. So, what are the important
points that we need to know in order to establish intervention plans for
trafficking routes? Within the subsystem of related crimes, let's say we
have the associated or connected crimes that arise from the activities and
roles framed within the four subsystems that we have been examining, the
dynamic actors, production, trafficking, distribution, and marketing of
drugs. When we look at crime from a formal perspective, It is any action
punished by a law or penalty, and from this point of view, we seek its
typical, unlawful, and culpable action to be sanctioned by a law or
penalty. That is to say, a crime is any action that the law considers. To
be vulnerable or that infringes upon a legal right. In each of their
countries, we will see different crimes, but we all speak, let's say, a
single. lexicon regarding the issue of drugs. We talk, for example, about
these crimes against health, against life, against integrity, against the
economic aspect, against the public aspect, against security, and against
natural resources. We see that this system of illicit drugs that we have
just reviewed presents characteristics that can be articulated within the
case theories for the application. of norms against this. Here, it is also
very important to know who a dynamic actor is. A dynamic actor is an
individual or a structure that drives, articulates, and operates directly
or indirectly the subsystems of the illicit drug system. So we were
talking, for example, about which organizations supply the substances for
the care and technical development of crops. and which organizations
provide the chemical substances. In a processing system, therefore, it is
important to know who that dynamic actor is and how they can be identified
in relation to the functioning of the illicit drug system. Quickly moving
on, I won't take much time on this because I know you have seen it with
other colleagues, but the topic of synthetic drugs is important here, as we
in the specialization course on control and investigation of resources and
precursors need to address this issue of synthetic drugs. In terms of
natural origin drugs, we are familiar with coca and its derivatives, so we
know who they are. We have also touched on cannabis and its derivatives in
class. At this moment, with the increasing regulation of these marijuana
marketing systems, and its derivatives, we also know about heroin and all
these natural origin drugs, where the active ingredient is the plant
material extracted from the plant. However, when we talk about synthetic
drugs, we will encounter the influence of all the substances and chemical
families that can be combined. So let's say that in synthetic drugs we will
have substances produced through organic synthesis, in a laboratory, some
of which are used as medication and change their consumption factor.
Through recreational, others that are precursors and at the same time are
marketed as a final product, others that are synthetic molecules or
toxicologically very similar to natural ones, and others that are not
classified in the international treaties on new drugs. Of the three
international treaties we need to be aware of regarding the issue of drug
regulation. It is very important for you to understand this world of
synthetic drugs. I don't want to take too long because it's not my topic,
but it should serve as an introduction to the topic of drug plans.
Regarding the early warning system, we know that it is a multidisciplinary
network that integrates various knowledge and powers within the state where
you work and how they can be integrated to serve as a tool for assessing
risks, issuing alerts and identifying early how these chemical substances
are being moved for the manufacturing processing of drugs. In the fight
against the illegal trafficking of narcotic and psychotropic substances, we
can say that we have a very important tool to work with, which is the
regional programs for strengthening operational support. So here we mention
some very important ones that you should know and manage because they are,
let's say, your allies in order to work. Let's start with the Global
Container Program, which aims to strengthen capacities in seaports and
airports, terminals and railways, as well as border crossings, to address
the entire issue of drug control. It is a project that focuses on
specialized activities regarding control, providing training not only in
the operational aspect but also in the technical and professional areas. To
address the entire issue of drug trafficking, you know that most of the
trafficking will be done by the government. To be found in containers, this
is something we are already aware of. The Colibri project, which is an
initiative of the World Customs Organization, SOMA, is focused on air drug
trafficking. You know that it is one of the oldest arts known of drug
trafficking in the world but is working in the area of general aviation.
Cream Juice, which is a program focused on the dismantling of criminal
networks that operate through trafficking routes. It's part of the global
program for dismantling criminal networks. Let's say it is a very important
part of the whole drug research topic. We have regional control, which is a
tool that allows us, through a website that you have in your manuals, to
access the list of authorities from different countries in order to
facilitate interaction. Mainly in the judicial assistance we have with
other countries, I have left the link for you to explore. It is a mechanism
for strengthening information. USEND, the Community of Police of America,
is a coordinated mechanism aimed at promoting and strengthening police
cooperation and technical scientific material. Its counterpart in Europe,
Europol, which also works on certain crimes, has its UAS in The Hague and
is tasked with assisting the member countries. of Europol on international
terrorism and drug-related crimes. Interpol, as it is the police at an
international level, is an intergovernmental organization that has 196
member countries and helps countries collaborate with each other. I cannot
delay any longer here because I have very little time left to discuss how
successful experiences like the International Center for Strategic Studies
Against Drug Trafficking allow us to identify new models or methodologies
for the identification of tools for drug work and plans against drug
trafficking. We quickly see the Esmeralda Strategy, which is a strategy
that integrated the plans to combat drug trafficking in Colombia,
leveraging the experience that the country already had at the time to
identify the five topics that could be worked on to achieve a real impact
on drug trafficking. Then it started. It started with cyber drug
trafficking, focusing on the whole issue of cryptocurrency trafficking,
criminal revenues, and how chemical substances could be targeted as they
remain the pillar or key point for drug trafficking and processing. foreign
trade and how it influenced this issue thus enabling the integration of the
entire civil community with it in the control of air traffic which we
discussed as the oldest modality once the impact initiatives were
established work continued on support aspects focusing on biodiversity
conservation and the eradication of crops in a more environmentally
friendly manner the aim was to conduct operations for the preservation of
order previously known as interdiction ensuring that these operations
contribute to regional order within their countries and prevention with a
differential approach thus the focus on prevention began not only in terms
of consumption but also in all areas of the illicit drug system subsystems
the strategy then established two dimensions of action supported by the
impact on international cooperation five impact initiatives and three
cross-cutting axes that we have already seen during this slide once the
emerald strategy was established we can say that what was done was to work
with other countries to see with whom we could have a very good
relationship and achieve impactful results So, being able to see how
Ecuador has trafficking related to chemical substances, Panama, which has
the canal and continues to be a distribution port, and El Salvador as a
support point in exporting the experience that Colombia has had from an
academic perspective and strengthening operational capabilities. So, in the
manual, you will see how the Esmeralda strategy was established within the
operational plans to combat drug trafficking, how it was developed from
analysis, starting with technical and scientific evidence to establish the
impactful initiatives that would be implemented. Using the three
cross-cutting axes that drug policy has had in Colombia and how to
integrate them for a special operational plan. If you have any questions,
you have my email address and it is very important that you use the
bibliographies I have attached to work on the topic of establishing a plan
to combat drug trafficking. Thank you very much.