1998 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report

Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
United States Department of State
February 26, 1999

ARMENIA

I. Summary

Armenia is not a major drug producing country and domestic consumption is relatively small, although expanding. An increasing narcotics-related concern for the government of Armenia (GOAM) is drug transit through the country. An interagency anti-narcotics commission established in 1995 has drafted new legislation and a program of counternarcotics action, but both are still pending final review. USG law enforcement assistance, including counternarcotics programs, significantly increased in 1998.

II. Status of Country

Drug trafficking is Armenia's current narcotics-related concern. Due to its geographical position, Armenia could become a center and a transit point for international drug trafficking. The major countries exporting drugs through Armenia to Western and Central Europe are Russia, Iran, and the countries of Central Asia. According to the Ministry of Interior and National Security (MINS), drug abuse is not currently a serious problem in Armenia and the local market for narcotics, through expanding, is not large. Main drugs of choice are cannabis and opium. In 1996, heroin and cocaine appeared on the Armenian drug market for the first time, and, in 1997 there was an increase in registered cases of heroin sales in which the heroin was brought to Armenia from Iran, Russia and Ukraine. MINS statistics for 1998, however, show a reduction of heroin seizures. Drugs in Armenia are more expensive than in neighboring countries, including Russia and Georgia. For example, one gram of heroin cost $250-$300 in Armenia, while in Russia it is about $80. Increased drug abuse is another indicator of potential market expansion in Armenia. The MINS authorities claim that there are more than 20,000 drug addicts in Armenia.

III. Country Actions Against Drugs in 1998

Policy Initiatives. A 1996 Presidential decree established a State Interagency Drug Commission that is currently chaired by the Minister of Interior and National Security. The Commission drafted a national drug control master plan to amend legislation and to strengthen border controls, law enforcement activities, and health care programs. No progress was made in finalizing or implementing the plan in 1998. No new anti-narcotic laws were passed in 1998. However, a new Armenian Criminal Code, which is expected to pass Parliament in 1999, includes a statute which will make money-laundering a criminal offense.

Domestic Programs. Drug addiction is one of the most serious concerns of the health service. There were more than 300 cases of drug use registered at the narcotics dispensary in 1998. While only 12 addicts are being treated currently, poor conditions and lack of medicine prevents the government from launching an "early intervention" campaign in Armenia. MINS estimates that there are over 20,000 drug abusers in Armenia.

Law Enforcement Efforts. There was a slight decrease in drug-related crimes in 1998. MINS reports 519 drug related crimes committed in 1998 vs. 772 in 1997. Statistics on crimes related to drug trafficking show an upward trend with 1163 crimes and offences for nine months of 1998 vs. 984 for the same period in 1997. The amount of cannabis seized in 1998 was 21.6 kilograms. Seizures of opium amounted to 1.9 kilograms in 1998. Heroin seizures were down 75 percent with 63gr. Confiscated in the first nine months of 1998 vs. 267 gr. in 1997.

Corruption. Anecdotal evidence reflects that there is significant corruption in the Armenian Customs Service, particularly in bribery to overlook smuggling, to include narcotics.

Agreements and Treaties. Armenia is a signatory to the 1992 Kiev and 1996 Dushanbe Agreements of the CIS countries on cooperation and narcotics control. Armenia is a party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention and the other UN narcotic agreements. Armenia has also signed bilateral agreements on cooperation against illicit traffic in narcotics and psychotropic substances with the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan the Customs Committee of Tajikistan. In September 1998, Armenia, Georgia, and Iran discussed the possibility of regional drug enforcement cooperation program under UNDCP Auspices.

Cultivation and Production. Hemp and opium poppy grow wild in the northern areas of Armenia, in particular, in the mountainous areas and in the Lake Sevan basin. In 1998, Armenian law enforcement confiscated and destroyed tons of hemp and poppy during their annual operation to identify and destroy illicit crops. No illicit chemical laboratories producing synthetic drugs were discovered in 1998. Authorities report that there is some small- scale opiate production of poppy straw extract.

Drug Flow/Transit. The most serious concern for the GOAM is drug transit. The main drug routes come from Iran, Central Asian countries and Russia. The drug flow is mainly transported by truck (55 percent) and by air (43 percent). Drugs transported are opium and hashish, although heroin from Southwest Asia and cocaine from South America also became a focus of concern since 1996. Currently, the Department of Drug Control is preparing to deploy joint teams of Armenian police and Customs officials at each border crossing point. MINS has obtained 15 sniffer dogs from Russia for narcotics interdiction operations.

IV. U.S. Policy Initiatives and Programs

Bilateral Cooperation. In 1998, new venues of cooperation were established between Armenian law enforcement and the Office of the Legal Attaché resident in Kiev, Ukraine. Moreover, as the result of recommendations by a USG inter-agency assessment team that visited Armenia in April 1998, U.S. law enforcement assistance was significantly increased. In addition to a money-laundering seminar, a U.S. Treasury financial enforcement team has been advising MINS in a project aimed at better policing of economic crimes. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency was very active in 1998 in providing counter-narcotics assistance to the Armenian government, including assessment visits and training for forensic chemists.

The Road Ahead. The Government of Armenia has made moderate overall progress in its counternarcotics efforts. The passage of anti-drug and money laundering legislation by the Armenian parliament would be a demonstration of commitment to combating crime in these areas. USG assistance will continue in selective programs where promising results are expected, such as providing forensic laboratory training and equipment.