|
|
|
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL STRATEGY REPORT, MARCH 1996: TRANSCAUCASUS - GEORGIA
United States Department of State
Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
I. Summary
Seizures of opiates elsewhere in the Transcaucases, Central Asia,
Turkey, and Western Europe suggest that opiate trafficking through
Georgia is continuing. Nevertheless, Government of Georgia (GOG)
authorities have not provided any new information on the illicit drug
situation. Counternarcotics law enforcement activities are not a
priority for the GOG, although the GOG has increased efforts to reduce
street crime and protect the political system from infiltration by
criminal elements. Georgia has not taken steps to become a party to the
1988 UN Convention and no significant progress was made in 1995 to enact
legislation needed to implement the UN drug conventions.
II. Status of Country
The Transcaucasus region continues as a transshipment point for drugs
from Central Asia. Several record seizures of heroin and opium in
Georgia between 1992-93 demonstrated the region's vulnerability. Rising
drug trafficking and abuse at that time prompted concern in Tbilisi. At
that time Georgian officials also noted an increased smuggling of
opiates and hashish, but most concrete information comes from Western
authorities. Turkish authorities seized 1.5 tons of Afghan morphine
base in 1992 and 1.3 tons of opium that had transited Georgia in 1993.
Georgian authorities report that paramilitary groups provided security
escorts for drug smugglers and had a reputation for using drugs.
Although Western authorities continue to report that illicit drug
smugglers are using Georgia as a conduit for opiate smuggling from
Central Asia and the Golden Crescent to the West, there are no new
reports from the GOG. Western authorities and the United Nations report
that two of Georgia's major drug transit areas, the separatist regions
of Abkhazia and south Ossetia, are inaccessible to Georgian law
enforcement agencies. Many uncharted roads in the region bordering
Armenia and Azerbaijan offer opportunities for traffickers to conceal
shipments from Georgian authorities.
GOG authorities are also increasingly concerned about the growing
importance of opiate trafficking channels leading from Armenia and
Russia. Cultivation of marijuana and opium poppy also continue to be a
problem in Georgia.
Georgian officials report 5,000 officially registered drug users. In
1994, health authorities reported that three percent of the population
was addicted to opiates, including heroin.
Georgia is not a significant producer of precursor/essential chemicals,
nor is it a party to any international chemical control agreements.
Currently, Georgia is not a key drug money laundering center, although
GOG authorities believe some banks and businesses engage in drug-related
money laundering. There is no anti-money laundering legislation in
place.
III. Country Actions Against Drugs in 1995
Counternarcotics issues are not a priority for the GOG. As in 1994, the
GOG conducted several tactical operations which led to seizures of guns
and drugs. These did not constitute significant counternarcotics policy
initiatives. Legislation drafted in 1994 proposing stiffer penalties
and adherence to international narcotics conventions and agreements
never passed, and the USG believes that this or other counternarcotics
legislation will not be introduced in the near future. Moreover,
counternarcotics law enforcement efforts were hampered in 1995 by
interagency rivalry, particularly between the Ministry of Internal
Affairs (MVD), Counternarcotics Bureau, and the Intelligence Service
(SGB). As a result, working-level law enforcement authorities were
plagued by a lack of direction, authority, and resources to conduct
effective anti-drug efforts.
Corruption. The USG has no information on officials involved in drug
related corruption in 1995 and Georgia has no laws specifically
targeting narcotics-related corruption by public officials. In 1994,
however, 17 GOG officials were arrested on charges of drug trafficking,
use, and corruption.
Agreements and treaties. The GOG has no counter-narcotics agreements
with the United States. Georgia is not a party to the 1961, 1971 and
1988 UN Conventions.
Cultivation/production. Opium poppy and marijuana are cultivated in
Georgia. There are no reliable estimates on such cultivation. However,
GOG officials report that the cannabis yield for 1995 was 7.5 tons, and
12,000 poppy plants and 2.5 tons of marijuana were seized in 1995.
Georgian authorities also believe that heroin refining laboratories
operate on the Black Sea coast just north of the Turkish border.
Domestic Programs. The GOG drug abuse treatment and prevention
organization remained inactive in 1995 because of a lack of financial
resources. The MVD reports that 5,000 addicts are registered in
treatment programs throughout the country, but estimates that the actual
number of users is much higher.
IV. U.S. Policy Initiatives and Programs
In 1995 the USG encouraged the GOG to identify drug problems, and
possible areas for assistance and cooperation. The USG is promoting
anti-drug assistance from those nations, primarily in Western Europe,
most directly effected by opiate smuggling through Georgia. A U.S. Drug
Enforcement Administration (DEA) basic investigative course was offered
to the national police in 1995.
The Road Ahead. Over the next year, the United States will continue to
encourage Georgia to take action to accede to and implement the
provisions of the 1961, 1971, and the 1988 UN Conventions, expand drug
control activities, and establish the necessary legislative and
institutional anti-drug capabilities to implement the three UN drug
conventions.
|
