Global Account

A new series from four of our top reporters brings neglected but important stories to the airwaves.

Angus Stickler, Jenny Cuff, Allan Urry and Grant Ferrett travel from country to country investigating some issues authorities would prefer remained hidden.

Programme Two: Africa's Cocaine Coast

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Ranked by the United Nations as the fifth poorest country in the world, Guinea-Bissau is awash with cocaine.

It's being smuggled in by Latin American gangs who've established a new way into Europe in response to improved security on the traditional route through the Caribbean.

Guinea-Bissau's coastline, dotted with uninhabited islands, provides a virtually open border for drugs traffickers, who use the country as a warehouse and distribution point.

Reporter Grant Ferrett discovers hopelessly ill-equipped police struggling to tackle the problem and so far receiving very little help from the rich western governments whose countries provide the market for the drugs.

And he investigates claims that the government and armed forces in this beleaguered and impoverished state are becoming increasingly complicit with the drugs gangs.