Transcript presentation

Illicit Drug Trafficking
in Central Asia
Presentation by Kairat Osmonaliev
PhD in Jurisprudence
General Information
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All countries of Central Asia have became transit
countries for Afghan drugs
Climatic conditions in Central Asian countries are, in
principle, favorable for the growth of opium poppy
which are illicitly cultivated on small individual plots.
Kyrgyzstan, for instance, prior to 1974 was one of the
world’s largest suppliers of licit opium. There are also
huge stocks of wild growing cannabis
Wild Growth of Narcotic Crops
in Central Asia
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Wild growth of cannabis is mainly concentrated to
Kazakhstan and the rest in Kyrgyzstan. The area of
wild growth of cannabis in Kazakhstan covers more
than 140,000 ha
There is an extensive growth of ephedra, the main
precursor to manufacture methamphetamine and
methcathinone. Some 88,200 ha of ephedra were
identified in Kazakhstan, 46,400 ha - in Kyrgyzstan,
and 3,500 ha - in Tajikistan.
Drug Routes of Afghan Drugs
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There are three main routes for transportation of
drugs from Afghanistan:
“Southern route” passes through the territory of
Pakistan (around 40 % of Afghan drugs)
“Western Route” goes from Iran to Turkey and
then to Western Europe (“Balkan Route”) – 35 %
“Northern Route” (or “Silk Route”) through
countries of Central Asian region to Russia and
then to Europe– 25 % (15 % through
Turkmenistan).
Factors Enhancing the Role of the «Northern»
Route in Afghan Illicit Drug Trafficking
New international geopolitical and geo-economic
situation in the region of Central Asia
- Weakening of state drug control system in
Central Asian countries
- Active and hard-edged struggle of Iran against
drug trafficking («Balkan» route is becoming
more dangerous for drug traffickers)
-
Factors Enhancing the Role of the
«Northern» Route in Afghan Illicit Drug
Trafficking (contd)
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Increase of corruption as the main element of illicit
drug trafficking
Involvement of Islamic extremists in drug trafficking
activities
Integration of organized criminal groups dealing with
illicit drug trafficking into international criminal
system in Central Asia
Huge local stocks of narcotics
Main Drug Trafficking Routes
Heroin Routes
…to Europe
from Afghanistan…
Kyrgyzstan: Routes and Opiates Prices
5,000$
10,000$
Opiates seizures in Kyrgyzstan (kg
heroin equiv.)
400
350
300
5,800$
250
1,300$
200
150
100
1,500$
50
0
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
Drug Seizures in Central Asia
Drug Seizures for the first half of 2002 and 2003
3000
2000
0
2002
Kazakhstan
2003
2002
Kyrgyzstan
2003
2002
Tajikistan
2003
Opium
0,21
2,36
96,21
37,81
597,9
746
Heroin
80,11
150,95
145,51
49,79
1643,52
3633,86
Heroin
1000
Opium
seizures in kg.
4000
Proportion of Seized Drugs
in Tajikistan
(1996-2003)
6,4
60
100%
271,5
90%
708,8
1882,9
80%
4239
3958,2
70%
1190,4
50%
3766,7
3455,5
60%
3405
1269,3
4778,5
40%
3664,3
30%
759,7
1049,8
20%
560
966,3
10%
0%
1624
430
88
1996
1997
1998
Сannabis
1999
Raw-opium
2000
Heroin
750,5
2001
999
941,5
2002
7 months
2003
Seizures of Opiates in Central Asia
2000
Seized Heroin and Opium
59%
2001
41%
85%
2002
15%
86%
Republic of Tajikistan
Other Central Asian States
14%
Legal Framework and Mechanisms of Cooperation
in Central Asia
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All countries of the region signed Memorandum on
mutual understanding and cooperation in the sphere
of drug control in 1996
Corresponding Agreement on cooperation in the
sphere of drug counteraction is in effect among
Central Asia countries since 1999
International State Commission on Drug Control in
Central Asia Community was established in 1999
Cooperation of Law Enforcement Agencies of
Central Asia in Suppression
of Illicit Drug Trafficking
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Interaction between law-enforcement agencies of CA
countries is improving (transborder cooperation
mechanisms are being developed, controlled
deliveries are being conducted, joint special
operations on drug trafficking interception are being
fulfilled)
Low level of the existing interaction (non-operational
system of drug liaison officers, inactive and formal
exchange of information)
Role of the International Organizations in the
Counteraction to Drug Trafficking in
Central Asia
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Establishment of the “Security Belt” around
Afghanistan by efforts of the United Nations
Office on Drugs and Crime (establishment of the
Drug Control Agency in Tajikistan in 1999, the
Drug Control Agency in Kyrgyzstan in 2003),
Implementations of Regional UN ODC Projects on
strengthening control of drugs and precursors
circulation
Implementation of projects funded by EU
Commission (CADAP, NADIN)
Conclusions
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Illicit drug trafficking is one of the main threats to
stability, democracy, security and development of
newly established countries of Central Asia that have
limited resources to fight drug trade
Strengthening democratic state power in Afghanistan
should help solve problem of eliminating illicit drug
cultivation
International cooperation is an important condition
for successful suppression of drug trafficking in
Central Asia, including involving Turkmenistan in
active anti-drug cooperation