Drug Life in Switzerland
Drug trafficking is a thriving industry in Switzerland.
Cocaine has become the most popular recreational drug with major distribution outlets opening up around the country, notably, Geneva, the Vaudois Riviera, Gstaad, Verbier, St. Moritz, Zurich, Zug, Berne and Neuchatel.
The drugs usually arrive via Geneva or Zurich airport and customs agents are noting that traffickers are using more and more astute methods to escape detection.
In 2005, customs officials seized 18 kilos at the borders; in 2006, 60 kilos were confiscated. Drug enforcement officials say the rise in seizures is due to the increase in cocaine use and the volume of imports and not to any gains in efficacy of customs officials.
A small portion of the drugs imported into Switzerland are destined for neighboring France municipalities.
Last year roughly 50 traffickers were arrested at the airports. The majority of these mules, in 2007, were passing the drugs by carrying them within their bodies in swallowed capsules. Each capsule contained about 8g -12g and the mules usually transport about 40 capsules each.
The mules apparently earn about $2000 - $3000 per voyage.
The profile of the mule is no longer a south american peasant but now people from all walks of life. There are europeans, retired people, mothers with children. Recently a phony catholic bishop was arrested.
Officials say it is not easy to pick out the traffickers among over 11 million passengers passing through Geneva airport every year. Occasionally foreign police forces send information. But as a rule it’s the flair and horse-sense of the police and customs officials which allows them to pick out suspects for further scrutiny based on intuition.
When their suspicions are particularly strong, they invite the passenger to have an X-ray. If the passenger refuses, they keep in custody until they empty their bowels.
Officials admit that what they seize at the border represents perhaps 10% of the merchandise that actually enters Switzerland via the airport.
The recreational drug business is a multi-billion dollar industry in Switzerland.
