UN watchdog warns of online drug dealing

The United Nations' narcotics watchdog is warning about increasing drug trafficking on the Internet.

The United Nations' narcotics watchdog is warning about increasing drug trafficking on the Internet.

A new report by the International Narcotics Control Board shows organised criminals are increasingly turning to the Net.

It suggests chat rooms are being used to deal banned substances and Internet banks to launder money.

The report's authors are also concerned about the sale of prescription-only drugs over the Web.

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INCB president Professor Hamid Ghodse says there is a real danger the benefits of the Net could be undermined by a criminal minority.

He says governments must co-ordinate efforts to "address the challenges that new technologies pose to drug law enforcement".

The Board wants member governments to consider tackling the issue under the United Nations Convention on Cybercrime.