02 March 2009

Central Asia Countries Remain Major Drug Transit Routes

Annual U.S. narcotics study reports on global trends in illicit drug trade

A man burns drugs seized by Tajik Drug Control Agency in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Agents burned 1.02 tons of drugs in the 2007 action.

By Carlos Aranaga
Staff Writer

Washington — The State Department’s 2009 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, issued February 27, shows that the former Soviet Central Asian republics, while not major drug-producing nations, act as transit routes for illicit narcotics produced elsewhere in the region.

The report, due to Congress by March 1 each year, describes efforts to attack all aspects of the international drug trade on a country-by-country basis. It acknowledges the Central Asian nations’ commitment to work with each other, but observes that such efforts are hampered by corruption and a lack of resources, equipment and training.

The 26th annual report covers the year 2008. (See “Illegal Drug Trade Takes Lives, Ruins Societies.”)

According to the report, the five Central Asian republics have minimal internal production of illicit narcotics or chemicals used to manufacture drugs, but are major transit corridors for heroin and opium originating in Afghanistan and destined for markets in Russia, Western Europe and America. It also cites evidence of trafficking in Afghan opiates to and through China.

Problems continue to rise with a greater incidence of narcotics abuse in the region itself, the report adds, citing a number of country-specific developments.

In Tajikistan, there is a growing need for drug rehabilitation and treatment, and the country’s medical infrastructure is inadequate to address the problem, a shortcoming of which the government is aware.

Tajik counternarcotics efforts are hampered by corruption, but Tajikistan continues to implement counternarcotics activities that the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime states yield more seizures than all other Central Asian states combined.

According to the study, Tajikistan suffers from a boom in Afghan drug production and is a major center for drug trafficking organizations, which transport major amounts of opium and heroin via land routes through Tajikistan and other Central Asian countries, and into Russia and Europe.

The Kyrgyz government is reported to view the drug trade as a serious threat to its own stability. It is continuing efforts to focus on drug-related issues such as money laundering, street crime and government corruption.

In Kyrgyzstan, experts estimate that 20 metric tons (22 short tons) of narcotics are moved through the country annually. Kyrgyzstan is described as supportive of international and regional efforts to cut trafficking, and of initiatives to address its own domestic drug abuse problems.

In Turkmenistan, a major development was the creation of a State Counter-Narcotics Service in January 2008, responsible for enforcing laws against illegal drug trade and ensuring full compliance with relevant international treaties.

Turkmen law enforcement authorities seized a total of 1,330 kilograms (2,926 pounds) of illegal narcotics in the first six months of 2008. In September 2008, the nation’s president affirmed the country's war on drugs is a top government priority.

In Uzbekistan, there is a growing market for intravenous narcotics and a rising problem with drug addiction and HIV/AIDS. Smuggling of regulated prescription drugs is growing, and cannabis (marijuana) cultivation is increasing. Uzbekistan has taken steps against the drug trade but relies heavily on multilateral and bilateral financial and technical aid. About 1,704 kilograms (3,749 pounds) of narcotics were seized in the first half of 2008; 46 percent of that was heroin.

In Kazakhstan, the study reports, efforts in 2008 focused on improving legislation and prevention, and on supply reduction.  Kazakhstan continues to implement large-scale programs mandated by its president and law enforcement agencies work to disrupt trafficking routes from Afghanistan. 

The 2009 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report is a two-volume publication; the first volume covers drug and chemical control; the second discusses money laundering and financial crimes.

The full text of the International Narcotics Control Strategy Report is available on the State Department Web site.