Friday, November 14, 2008

UK economic woes turning up in cocaine seizure spike and feared crime wave

When one loses their job do to lay-offs, they don't necessarily lose their bad habits. For those who are addicted to drugs (whether illegal or prescriptive), their addictions when experiencing economic hardship can increase their risk of going to criminal lengths to support their baneful habits.

Reported today in the UK was an article with the headline, "Credit crunch cocaine crimewave predicted," that appeared Friday, November 14, 2008. The article goes on to report, "Police fear a crimewave could be looming 'on the horizon' as cocaine seizures across South Devon continue to rise at an alarming rate." The article reports that police are seeing a 50 per cent jump in seizures of cocaine. Figures just released reveal that seizures of cocaine in Torbay, South Hams and Teignbridge last year totaled 100 against the tally of 75 the previous. Already this year, from April, the number is up to 51 and rising steadily. DC Bradley said: "The number of significant seizures is also on the increase. "Many confiscations involve small amounts of cocaine for personal use, but there have been recent seizures on the M5 into the county which have seen amounts weighing in at as much as four kilos with a street value of £200,000."
A few notable quotes from police included, "When they lose their job and can't pay the mortgage and lose their home they still want their drug." "They become desperate and become involved in crime and steal. "Cocaine is now more prevalent. That's reflected in the seizures. It's a cause for some concern."
Read the full article at http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/news/Credit-crunch-cocaine-crimewave-predicted/article-474726-detail/article.html

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