Terrorists rely on drugs as a source of funding, says Saudi anti-drugs chief

RIYADH: The drug trade has a strong relationship with international terrorism, which relies on drugs as a source of funding, the chief of a Saudi drug-fighting agency has said.
Abdul Ilah Al-Sharif, secretary-general of the Saudi National Committee for Combating Drugs (Nebras), said criminal organizations operating in drug production and trafficking have benefited to the fullest extent. “This has become clear from the precision of its organization and management, and the covert cooperation between drug-trafficking organizations in many countries,” he said.
Al-Sharif was giving a presentation as head of the Kingdom’s delegation at the workshop “Drug relations with extremism and terrorism” in Kuwait Oct. 29-30.
He explained that the Nebras project aims to contribute to reducing the spread of drugs among members of society, and to educate the family on the importance of preventive action.
“It also aims at strengthening the voluntary participation of members of civil society and its institutions in the field of drug control, reducing crime and accidents associated with drug abuse by young people, and promoting moral and social values of refusal to accept drug abuse,” he said.
Al-Sharif stressed that the countries of the world are required to exert double efforts in the fight against drugs, terrorism and money-laundering operations at all levels.