Mexican officials proudly trumpet that seizures of all kinds of illegal narcotics were higher last year than in 1998.

ECONOMIST: Mexico: Drugs shock | The

The report suggests that the illicit sale of animals and plants is the world's fourth largest illegal trade after narcotics, counterfeiting of products and currency and the trafficking of people.

BBC: Wildlife crime profound threat to nations, says report

And then the question becomes, as it is for other anti-narcotics policies: should ending the consumption and production of illegal drugs be the be-all and end-all of all public policy, or are there important trade-offs that may not be receiving the attention they deserve?

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