Canada is 'hub' for illegal drug shipments
Wednesday, June 24, 2009 | 12:53 PM ET
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(Koen van Weel/Reuters)


Canada has become a major producer and shipper of methamphetamines and ecstasy, according to a new United Nations report.

"Canada, which traditionally consumes a lot of cannabis and produces a lot of cannabis, is also a hub now for methamphetamines and ecstasy, which would likely come as a surprise for Canadians," said Walter Kemp, a spokesman for the UN's Office on Drugs and Crime.

Highest-ranking countries for amphetamine seizures in 2007
Global percentage Total kilograms
Saudi Arabia 32% 13,900
China 14% 6,142
U.S. 12% 5,045
Netherlands 7% 2,855
United Kingdom 4% 1,765
Canada 4% 1,540
According to the 314-page report by the UN agency, organized crime involved in the methamphetamine trade “has grown significantlyâ€