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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
AZERBAIJAN
I. Summary
Azerbaijan is a transshipment point for smuggling hashish and opium from
Central Asia, Iran, and Afghanistan to Russia and Europe. Although antidrug
efforts in 1996 were limited, the Government of Azerbaijan (GOA) announced it
will draw up a national drug control strategy, including appropriate
legislation during 1997. Cultivation of opium poppy is illegal, but sporadic
reports indicate some export-oriented cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis
adjacent to the Iranian border. Azerbaijan is a party to the 1988 UN
Convention. There are no demand reduction or treatment programs in
Azerbaijan.
II. Status of Country
Azerbaijan is a conduit for drugs smuggled from Afghanistan and South Asia,
enter Azerbaijani territory from Iran and across the Caspian Sea from Central
Asia, and continue on to markets in Russia and Europe. Azerbaijan is more
attractive as a transit route because of the Disruption of the Balkan heroin
smuggling route due to conflict in the former Yugoslavia. Moreover, the
collapse of the Soviet Union left Azerbaijan with a nearly 700 km frontier
with Iran, but with inadequate police forces or know-how to patrol it.
Iranian and other traffickers have begun to exploit this situation.
Traffickers also use cross-Caspian ferries to smuggle narcotics.
Consumption of illicit drugs is increasing, with 5,952 persons registered in
hospitals for drug abuse. However, GOA officials estimate that the actual
level of drug abuse is many times higher.
There is illegal poppy and cannabis cultivation, mostly in the south of the
country. Corruption permeates the economy, government structures, and law
enforcement, severely impeding counternarcotics efforts. Government
authorities fear that many among the numerous unemployed and displaced persons
from the conflict concerning Nagorno-Karabakh are being drawn into drug
trafficking as a source of income. The government also claims that ethnic
Armenians in the Armenian-occupied areas of Azerbaijan engage in drug
cultivation and trafficking.
III. Country Action Against Drugs in 1996
Policy Initiatives. Recognizing the extent of the drug problem in
Azerbaijan, GOA officials have begun to take steps towards developing a
national drug plan. The August visit by UNDCP Director Giocomelli played an
important role in changing the government's attitude towards the emerging
narcotics problem. In August, the President decreed the creation of a
government commission chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister to draw up a
national plan for "...combating the spread of narcotic and psychotropic
substances." This plan is to include draft counternarcotics legislation. At
present, there are laws which criminalize drug use and trafficking, but
current legislation does not cover money laundering and is inadequate to
tackle police and judicial corruption. The President's decree also instructs
the Foreign Ministry to conclude counternarcotics agreements with neighboring
countries and other states.
The government signaled a greater commitment to work closely with the UNDCP.
Azerbaijan cooperates with Black Sea and Caspian Sea littoral states in
tracking and interdicting narcotics shipments, especially morphine base and
heroin. Caspian Sea regional cooperation includes efforts to interdict
narcotics transported across the Caspian Sea by ferry. Law enforcement
officials report they have good cooperation with Russia, but encounter
considerable reluctance from Iran.
Police seized 133 kgs of opium in 1996, some locally produced and some in
transit. They also seized 78 kgs of marijuana. Police discovered and
destroyed 350 mt of illicitly cultivated narcotics plants, mostly hemp and
opium poppy. There were 2,527 arrests, down slightly from 1995. No data is
available on prosecutions or convictions. Police lack basic equipment and
have little experience in modern counternarcotics methods. Border inspection
facilities on the Iranian border are inadequate.
Corruption. Corruption is a major problem for Azerbaijani society, and, of
course, effects law enforcement as well. Senior government officials,
including the President and Prime Minister, admitted the gravity of the
problem. However, there is no formal anti-corruption legislation, nor have
there been prosecutions of prominent offenders that would have a broader
deterrent effect. Thus, corruption is a key issue for the Counternarcotics
Commission to confront as it begins its deliberations.
Agreements and Treaties. Azerbaijan has no narcotics-related agreements
or treaties with the US, and no extradition treaty. Azerbaijan is a party to
the 1988 UN Convention. In July, Azerbaijan signed a protocol of intent on
counternarcotics cooperation with Iran.
Cultivation/Production. Cannabis and poppy are cultivated illegally in
Azerbaijan. Authorities discovered and destroyed 350 mt of cannabis and opium
poppy under cultivation, mostly in southern Azerbaijan.
Domestic Programs/Demand Reduction. The government has not made the
case publicly for national drug control education initiatives aimed at curbing
consumption. However, government officials have requested printed educational
materials from the US to begin such a campaign.
IV. US Policy Initiatives and Programs
Policy Initiatives and Bilateral Cooperation The USG maintains a
limited dialogue with the GOA to exchange information on counternarcotics.
The US Embassy in Baku maintains close liaison with appropriate officials on
narcotics-related issues, and DEA officers responsible for narcotics law
enforcement periodically make visit liaison visits to Azerbaijan.
The Road Ahead The USG will encourage Azerbaijan to expand its drug
control activities and to establish the necessary legislation and
institutional capabilities to improve intra-government cooperation and ensure
effective prosecution of drug-related crimes. The USG will urge the GOA to
implement the provisions of the 1988 UN Convention.
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