11/09/09

Venezuela, first country in the world with a National Anti Drug Fund

Caracas, Sept 10 ABN.- Venezuela is the first country in the world that counts with a National Anti Drug Fund in order to support and finance preventive projects, reaching up to now the seizure of 44,187.38 kilograms of different drugs and the arrest of 4,490 due to cases related to these crimes.

The above information was issued by the general director of the Venezuelan Anti Drug Office (ONA, Spanish abbreviation), Nestor Reverol, during a press conference with representatives from international media outlets.

Reverol expressed that the National Anti Drug Fund is to support the preventive programs of the public and private companies that produce alcoholic drinks, tobacco and other mixtures, according to the stipulated in articles 96 and 97 of the Organic Law against Illicit Drugs and Consumption of Narcotic and Psychoactive Drugs, applied to all the contributing enterprises.

Regarding the seizures carried out during this year 2009, Reverol informed that up to the date it has been seized an amount of 44,187.38 kilograms of drugs, among marijuana (23,429.53); cocaine (20,656.11); heroin (62.94); crack (31.26); and basuco -a mixture of coca paste and tobacco- (7.54).

All that thanks to the joint work carried out by the security bodies of the Venezuelan State on the battle against drug trafficking.

Concerning the number of arrested people due to these cases, Reverol stressed that the figure is 4,490 citizens, out of which 4,219 are Venezuelan citizens and 271 are foreign citizens.

During his speech, the official highlighted that cocaine production in Colombia has 51% of the world yearly potential production, which represents a threat of migration -a balloon effect- of the drug trafficking.

“There is no possibility that through Venezuela can pass illicit drugs that do not come from Colombia,” he added.

Bolivarian News Agency / Press Section Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in the United Kingdom