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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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