To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of heroin apprehended in the UK was of (a) South American and (b) Afghanistani and Pakistani origin in each of the last three years. (276253)

The Serious Organised Crime Agency estimates that over 90 per cent. of the heroin which reaches the UK is derived from Afghan opium. The remainder is from areas including south east Asia. There is little evidence of heroin of south American origin reaching the UK market.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the proportion of heroin apprehended in the UK in each of the last three years which had been transported through (a) Somalia and (b) other African countries. (276254)

Most heroin that reaches the UK is routed overland from Afghanistan to Europe or from Pakistan directly to the UK. There is little evidence of heroin, destined for UK markets, being transported through Somalia or other African countries.