MIAMI. May 4 Encouraged by tfreir military government. Nigerian drug traffickers using tens of thousands of "mules pose an extraordinary and growing global threat, an assis tant US secretary of ^ate said Friday, reports AP

The Nigerian example was the most startling of how drug trafficking — and the political Influence it can buy — has become one of the most serious global threats In the Cold War s aftermath. Robert Geibard said

Nigerian trafficking organl sationa have grown under the Ejection of military ruler n Sani Abacha and the pre decessor he ousted. Gen Ibrahim Batjangida. he said

There is not the slightest question tn our minds that Abacha. Babangida they have not just protected but nour lahed nurtured and profited from the organisations' Gel

bard told a workshop for journalists organised* by the Latin American and Caribbean Cen tre of Florida International University.

Gelbard said that 40-50 per cent of heroin seized tn the United States is carried by Nigerians and now their net works are expanding in Europe

The inroads made by the Nigerian smugglers especially through a new route from Brazil to South Africa and on to Europe, have alarmed and prompted promises of coop e.ration from European gov ernments that previously considered drugs more of an American a flair. Gelbard aald.

Even Dutch officials are worried, and "they should be worried. Gelbard said. In the Netherlands, hashish and mar tjuana are legal and street sales of heroin are tolerated US of

ficials say the Netherlands has become a transit point for South American cocaine and Southwest Aslan heroin destined for other European countries.

In South Africa, officials were so concerned at having 30.000 Nigerian passport holders in the country that they have asked the United States for help, said Gelbard

The latest In a string of much-criticized Nigerian mill (ary regimes haa become a Cariah since the November anglng of political activist and playwright Ken SaroWlwa and eight other dissidents. But It haa not been affected by llm tted sanctions, including its expulsion from the Common wealth of Britain and Its former colonizers

Asked why the United States did not Institute tough

sanctions against Nigeria. Gelbard said Washington had pressed for an embargo but could not get Its allies to agree. Nigerian and Internationa] human rights groups have long called for Washington to stop buying Nigerian oil. The United States became the biggest importer of Nigerian crude during the Gulf war

Nations are confronting drug-trafficking organisations that have bigger resources and better transportation, technol »and communications than r governments and are not constrained by traditional rules. Gelbard said

Dealing With transnational crimes.^ from drug smuggling tn car theft and smuggling of aliens, requires international cooperation that might force a new look at what constitutes jurisdiction, he suggested.