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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL STRATEGY REPORT, MARCH 1996: ARMENIA
United States Department of State
Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
I. Summary
Drug trafficking groups are increasingly targeting Armenia as a conduit
to smuggle drugs to Western Europe. The Armenian illicit drug market is
small, but Government of Armenia (GOA) officials are concerned that drug
abuse and drug-related crime is increasing. Armenia has begun to take
steps towards framing a national anti-drug strategy. A state
interagency anti-narcotics commission was established in 1995 to
coordinate the anti-narcotics activities of government agencies and
public organizations, and to develop a national drug control plan.
Armenia became a party to the 1988 UN Convention in 1993.
II. Status of Country
Armenia is a transit route for hashish and opiates from Afghanistan,
Iran and Central Asia, to Russia, other Black Sea countries, and Western
Europe.
Armenian authorities are concerned about growing drug-related crime. In
1995, reports of drug-related crimes increased to 569 compared to 525 in
1994. Drug use, particularly among teenagers, appears to be increasing.
The GOA estimates there are 10,000 drug addicts. The drugs of choice
are opium and cannabis. The majority of drug addicts avoid treatment
because of the legal consequences, and because of the poor conditions of
Armenian drug treatment centers. However, the newly formed antinarcotics
commission is considering establishing a new rehabilitation
center for drug addicts, and initiating a modern public information
campaign on the dangers of drug abuse.
Armenian officials are concerned that illicit production of amphetamines
could be on the rise. The increase is attributed to unemployed chemists
displaced after the dismantling of the Soviet Union.
Authorities also believe that the money laundering operations are
limited in Armenia because of the country's depressed economy and its
rudimentary banking system. However, in an effort to prevent the
creation of financial institutions whose main purpose is to launder
money, the GOA raised the minimum capital requirements for banks from
$15,000 to $100,000.
Armenia is not a significant producer of precursor and essential
chemicals.
III. Country Actions Against Drugs in 1995
In response to escalating drug-related crime in 1995, the GOA created a
State Interagency Commission to coordinate national drug control
efforts. The Commission will prepare a 5-year and a 25-year antinarcotics
master plan for the country. The Commission is also drafting
amendments to the criminal code to improve and to enhance
counternarcotics operations by the Interior Ministry (MVD) and improve
the effectiveness of Armenia's drug addiction treatment programs.
Corruption. The USG is not aware of any reports of official narcoticsrelated
corruption in Armenia in 1995.
Agreements and Treaties. Armenia is a party to the 1988 UN Convention,
the 1961 UN Convention and its 1972 Protocol, and the 1971 UN
Convention. Armenia signed bilateral agreements on cooperation against
illicit trafficking in narcotics with Turkmenistan, the Republic of
Georgia, and Tajikistan.
Cultivation and Production. Cannabis and opium poppy grow in the wild
and only a small amount is processed in-country. The GOA reported that
it eliminated 17 tons of cannabis and opium in 1995. In the same year,
Armenian authorities seized two illegal amphetamine laboratories.
IV. U.S. Policy Initiatives and Programs
The USG continues to maintain a limited dialogue with the GOA to urge it
to give priority to the drug issue. Efforts have continued to focus on
identifying existing problems, on possible areas of assistance, and the
need to exchange information on narcotics activities. Two officers from
the Ministry of National Security participated in a regional advanced
drug enforcement seminar in Moscow in July, 1995.
The Road Ahead. Over the next year, the USG will continue to encourage
Armenia to expand its drug control activities and to establish the
necessary legislative and institutional capabilities to ensure efficient
interdiction and prosecution of narcotics traffickers. During 1996, the
USG will continue promoting anti-drug assistance from nations most
directly effected by narcotics smuggling through Armenia such as those
in Western Europe.
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