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U.S. Department of State
1996 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, March 1997
United States Department of State
Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
Africa and the Middle East
COTE D'IVOIRE
I. Summary
Cote d'Ivoire serves as a transit point for narcotics from Asia and South
America destined for European and North American markets, although there is no
evidence that significant amounts reach the US. There is minimal production
of low-grade cannabis, primarily for domestic consumption. Domestic use of
psychotropic substances, particularly amphetamines and barbiturates, is
rising. The vast majority of those arrested for drug-related offenses are of
Ivorian nationality. The National Drug Police (NDP), while recognizing the
danger of illicit narcotics, continued to be hampered by insufficient
resources in 1996. Cote d'Ivoire is a party to the 1988 UN Convention.
II. Status of Country
The fact that Abidjan serves as a West African regional hub for international
airline travel as well as a major financial center provides the greatest
challenge for the Government of Cote d'Ivoire (GOCI) in terms of trafficking
and money laundering.
III. Country Action Against Drugs in 1996
Policy Initiatives. There have been no significant counternarcotics
policy initiatives during the reporting period, but the GOCI did take steps
toward meeting the 1988 UN Convention objectives. It created the post of
National Security Advisor to assist in this effort. In February 1997, the
GOCI will host an Economic Community of West African Nations (ECOWAS)
inter-ministerial meeting on narcotics.
Accomplishments. There have been no significant developments in the past
year in achieving or maintaining compliance with the goals and objectives of
the 1988 UN Convention. Nevertheless, the GOCI cooperated closely with the
UNDCP in the areas of training and regional cooperation. The European Union
initiated discussions with the GOCI on training requirements. The primary
concerns revolved around the type of training that would be most beneficial,
as well as the ever-present scarcity of resources.
Law Enforcement Efforts. The GOCI law enforcement authorities increased
the number of drug seizures and arrests; cocaine seizures increased 33 kgs)
as did cannabis (4.5 kgs), though both amounts remained relatively low.
Nevertheless, law enforcement efforts focused primarily on minor traffickers;
most major traffickers are Europeans and groups from the Middle East. The
GOCI created the position of National Security Advisor in late summer,
primarily to be the central coordinator of all military and law enforcement
activities including counternarcotics. Law enforcement efforts on the working
level were hampered by a lack of funds.
Corruption. There were no significant arrests and/or prosecutions for
drug-related corruption during the year. In general, law enforcement efforts
in this area are given the lowest priority.
Agreements and Treaties. The GOCI is a party to the 1961 UN Single
Convention, the 1972 Protocol and the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic
Substances. In 1991, the GOCI ratified the 1988 UN Convention. In 1992, 1993
and 1994, it signed letters of agreement (LOA) with the USG for the
establishment of a GOCI capability to suppress the cultivation, processing,
trafficking, consumption and export of illicit narcotics. The GOCI is a party
to several regional counternarcotics cooperation agreements.
Cultivation/Production. Cannabis is grown in limited quantities in the
southern, eastern and western areas of Cote d'Ivoire, primarily for local
consumption. The NDP has no reliable methodology for determining crop size
and yields. When they come upon illicit crops, they burn them.
Drug Flow/Transit. Houphouet-Boigny Airport is used as a transit point
for the flow of heroin and cocaine to European and North American
destinations. There is no reliable data that would confirm the increase or
decrease of drugs transiting the country. Vehicles, followed by aircraft,
boat, and the mail service, are the primary method of transporting illicit
narcotics. The use of the coastal lagoon for trafficking narcotics between
Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire increased dramatically during the year.
Domestic Programs. The GOCI's demand reduction is limited to infrequent
news articles on drug abuse and the publication in the media of the penalties
associated with illicit narcotics use and trafficking.
IV. US Policy Initiatives and Programs
Policy Initiatives. USG counternarcotics goals in Cote d'Ivoire focus on
limiting the use of Abidjan as a transit point for narcotics traffickers.
Bilateral Cooperation. The bilateral agreements of 1992, 1993, and 1994
have eased some of the GOCI's logistical problems, which has allowed officers
to return to the field better equipped with US-provided vehicles and radios.
The next step will be to increase training efforts.
The Road Ahead. The foremost USG counternarcotics interest will be to
prevent the transit of illicit narcotics via Houphouet-Boigny Airport and to
discourage the use of Cote d'Ivoire's financial system for money laundering.
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