Paper short abstract:

drug control is often equated with crime control when it often has the contrary effect; this is rarely realised by policy makers? The interests pursued are often confused between the pressures of donors, implementors and beneficiaries to the detriment of host societies.

Paper long abstract:

Drug trafficking has been identified as one of the major threats to European Union security. The African Union has also identified the drug trafficking as a major source of insecurity. Consequently a range of activities have been initiated particularly in West Africa designed to enhance law enforcement and judicial capacity on fighting organised crime groups and reducing trafficking. Examples of such cooperation include the Praia plan, and support for various UNODC implemented activities (GCP, GIABA) to enhance port and airport security.

The actions are based on assumptions that remain untested, including if the security/development nexus can be tackled by drug supply interdiction; whether the role of crime organised groups is understood in the same way by European and African LEAs and policy makers; and if actions against drugs are automatically effective as a way of combating organised crime.

The paper draws on interviews with law enforcement agents and policy makers in Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and Cap Verde and a survey of policy documents and grey literature.