Crime, Europe and West Africa - Real Time Brussels - WSJ

It’s not just drugs coming from South America. Weapons, people, toxic waste, diamonds are all trafficked through the region and into Europe. And it’s not just organized crime, Annemie Turtelboom, Belgian minister for home affairs, told the conference organized by the Belgian presidency of the European Union and Interpol. Terrorist organizations such as Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb are increasing their influence in the region, she said.