|
|
|
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL STRATEGY REPORT, MARCH 1996: TURKMENISTAN
United States Department of State
Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
I. Summary
The drug trade is increasing efforts to use Turkmenistan as a conduit to
smuggle illicit drugs to the West and precursor and essential chemicals
to the East, to open new markets, and cultivate opium. Currently, the
greatest drug challenge to the Government of Turkmenistan (GOTX) is from
international drug smugglers seeking to move opium and/or heroin from
Afghanistan to Western markets and precursor chemicals from the West to
morphine base producers in Southwest Asia. Turkmenistan officials are
also concerned that domestic drug cultivation and use also appear to be
on the rise, although statistics on either are limited. The growing
number of casinos and foreign-run luxury hotels also raise questions
about Turkmenistan's vulnerability to money-laundering activities
associated with the narcotics trade, although no official cases have
been made. The GOTX is increasing priority to drug control, but efforts
to develop a response to the increased trafficking through the region
problem have been slow. The GOTX is not a party to the 1988 U.N.
Convention Against the Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic
Substances.
II. Status of Country
Although health authorities indicate that domestic drug consumption is
not a large problem, traditional opium cultivation and use of opium
poppy, and lack of sufficient resources to monitor the borders, make
Turkmenistan increasingly vulnerable to the drug industry. Turkmenistan
health authorities have indicated that there is a domestic opium addict
population. Opium was traditionally smoked, brewed, or processed into a
beverage for celebrations, medicine, or daily use by tribal peoples.
Health officials report. However, that they do not have any statistics
on use. They believe that many opium users in urban areas now inject
opiates. Intravenous opium use in rural areas, once practically
nonexistent, is also increasing. Marijuana use is prevalent.
Seizure patterns indicate that opium from Afghanistan, Uzbekistan,
Tajikistan, and Iran transits Turkmenistan, enroute to markets in
Russia, Turkey, and Western Europe. The most common smuggling route
goes through the cities of Kushka or the Afghan border and to Mary
beyond. Opportunities for drug smuggling are expanding with the recent
improvement in international transportation connections and along the
borders with Iran and Afghanistan. Direct air routes now link Ashgabat
with Teheran, Istanbul, Karachi, Dushanbe, Tashkent, and Moscow; a
railway line to Iran is under construction; and truck transport to
Europe has become more common.
Recent seizures of acetic anhydride underscore the region's
vulnerability to the smuggling of licit chemicals for the production of
illicit drugs such as heroin. A record 25-ton cargo of acetic anhydride
was seized in Turkmenistan in November 1995. This was the third such
seizure in Turkmenistan last year.
Drug sales and distribution appear to be controlled by local
traffickers, according to Turkmen authorities. Opium is bartered by
these local traffickers for scarce commodities such as bread and fuel.
Authorities believe that the higher incidence of drugs being smuggled
into the country from Iran and Afghanistan could also fuel increased
domestic drug use. Local production, likely on small plots, may also be
a factor, according to health officials. These officials also predict
increased domestic drug use, if the political situation in Afghanistan
fuels the influx of ethnic Turkmen-Afghans, among whom opium use is
reportedly high.
Turkmenistan officials have expressed concern that crime groups may
already be laundering funds through casinos and hotels. For example,
one of the new luxury hotel and casino establishments in Ashgabat has
been linked to an individual with a prior conviction for heroin
trafficking in the U.S.
Manufacture, possession, sale and use are illegal under the criminal
code which also includes a provision for confiscating illegally acquired
property. No formal asset forfeiture code exists.
III. Country Actions Against Narcotics in 1995
Policy initiatives. GOTX progress in forming an effective antidrug
campaign in 1995 was hampered by a lack of financial and personnel
resources, equipment, and training. Moreover, plans by the Ministry of
Health to formulate a national drug policy and develop a government
coordinating committee on drug issues in 1994 have not yet materialized,
and a proposal to merge the border guards, customs, and certain internal
affairs and security functions into a "Ministry of Border Security," has
yet to be adopted.
The GOTX's existing antidrug programs focus on enforcement and
interdiction and some limited educational demand-reduction initiatives
through the schools. Despite limited enforcement resources, the GOTX
has seized cargoes of Afghan opium bound for Turkey in trucks and cars.
Moreover, Turkmenistan authorities are expanding international
cooperation to increase their interdiction efforts. Drug enforcement
efforts in 1995 included the seizure of 285 kilograms of illicit drugs
and an annual opium eradication effort. According to press reports, the
Committee of National Security (KNB) tried more than 80 drug smugglers
in the first six months of 1995; a thirty percent increase over the same
period in 1994. Concern about trafficking on the Afghan border has also
led to an increased deployment of border troops in Kushka and tight
restrictions on access to the border regions.
Corruption. The USG has no reports of government officials involved in
drug-related activities in Turkmenistan.
Agreements and treaties. Turkmenistan has not yet become a party to the
1988 UN Convention on Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic
Substances, the 1961 UN Single Convention on Narcotics and its 1972
protocol, or the 1972 UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances. There
are no counterdrug bilateral agreements between Turkmenistan and other
states.
Turkmenistan does not have an extradition treaty with the USG.
Counternarcotics officers indicate that drug offenders have been
extradited to Afghanistan and that agreements are in place with other
parts of the CIS to extradite drug offenders.
Cultivation/production. Cultivation of opium poppy is illegal in
Turkmenistan. Illegal cultivation, however, does occur, particularly in
remote mountain and desert areas and in small local plots. Although no
statistics on the extent of such cultivation are available, authorities
report that most opium poppy is cultivated along the Iranian border in
the Akhal Velayat, which contains Ashgabat and in the eastern regions of
Lebap and Mary. Cannabis is also prevalent in Turkmenistan. There is
also some processing of opium resin and poppy straw extract for domestic
consumption.
Domestic programs. A limited drug and alcoholism treatment program
continues under the Ministry of Health, including an addiction reference
center, a combination education and research organization. The center
is seeking to create an educational curriculum and conduct research on
the causes of drug abuse. There is some government concern, however,
that prevention programs will create increased interest in drug use.
The MVD also has a program which allows convicted drug users to be
paroled with the provision that they remain under MVD supervision for
one year. Each region also has in- and outpatient narcotics treatment
clinics, which are described as adequate for current needs.
Policy Initiatives and Bilateral Cooperation. In 1995 the USG continued
to encourage Turkmenistan to modernize its legal framework for
combatting drug smuggling, to adhere to international drug control
treaties and become a party to the three UN Conventions. Moreover, the
USG urged increased cooperation with UNDCP and neighboring countries in
regional counter-narcotics efforts. The USG provided limited training
to government officials during 1995 at regional workshops and seminars.
Turkmen customs cooperation with DEA led to the arrest in the United
States of an opium smuggler. Turkmen customs officers will participate
as witnesses in the trial.
The Road Ahead. Over the next year, the USG will continue to encourage
Turkmenistan to accede to and implement the 1988 UN Convention, expand
drug control activities, and establish the necessary legislative
institutions. The USG will continue to offer law enforcement training
opportunities and will encourage Russia and Western European governments
to cooperate more with Turkmenistan law enforcement authorities. The
USG will also continue to provide training opportunities for
counternarcotics officers to assist Turkmenistan's efforts to interdict
and deter the flow of narcotics transiting its borders.
|
