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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
TURKEY
I. Summary
Although Turkey is not an opium producing country for the illicit market, it
does play an increasingly significant role in processing opiate raw material
into heroin, and is a major transit route for Southwest Asian narcotics
(especially heroin) for the Western European market, and to a lesser extent
the US. As much as 75 percent of heroin seized in Europe has been processed
in or smuggled through Turkey. Turkey signed the 1988 UN Convention in 1988.
The Convention was passed by Turkish Parliament in November 1995 and formally
ratified in February 1996. A member of the Financial Action Task Force
(FATF), Turkey passed anti-money laundering legislation in late 1996 that
conforms to FATF recommendations. Consumption of narcotics in Turkey is low,
but Turks recognize an increase in the use of opiates and cannabis.
II. Status of Country
Turkey is not, and is not likely to become, a major illicit opium growing
country or a producer of precursor chemicals. It does play a significant role
in processing opiate raw material into heroin. Turkey is recognized as a
"traditional" poppy growing country by the International Narcotics Control
Board (INCB) and by the USG for the licit opiate market. As such, there is
licit cultivation of opium poppy to meet legitimate world demand for cooking
and pharmaceutical uses. This production is confined to certain areas and
carefully monitored. There is no evidence that licit production moves into
illicit channels.
The surge in seizures of acetic anhydride (AA) imports in 1995 continued in
1996. Between October 1995 and July 1996, Turkish law enforcement officers
intercepted more than 51 mt of AA, an essential precursor chemical for heroin
production. One kilo of AA plus one kilo of morphine base produce one kilo of
heroin and some by-products. Thus, 51 mt of AA could produce 51 mt of heroin.
This confirms that Turkey is an important processing center for illicit
opiate products, as well as a traditional narcotics transit route. While the
total amount of heroin and morphine base smuggled into Turkey is unknown, DEA
estimates that four to six mt of heroin a month leave Turkey for Western
Europe.
Turkey has in place anti-money laundering legislation in conformance with FATF
recommendations. Implementing regulations are in process. Corruption and
money laundering have become major topics on Turkey's political agenda. For
example, the government is considering restricting access to or closing all
casinos; part of the justification is that casinos are used to launder
proceeds from narcotics trafficking.
III. Country Action Against Drugs in 1996
Policy Initiatives. In November, the Turkish Parliament passed anti-money
laundering legislation which formally criminalized the laundering of proceeds
from trafficking in narcotics, illegal arms, historical artifacts, organized
prostitution or the illegal trade in human organs. Other provisions include
controlled delivery, and asset seizure. The law calls for the Finance
Ministry to set up a Financial Crimes Investigation Board (FCIB) that will
conduct studies for the prevention of money laundering, exchange information
with international organizations, and investigate money laundering cases.
In February, Turkey ratified the 1988 UN Convention, which had been passed by
the Turkish Parliament in 1995.
Accomplishments. The major significant development during 1996 in
achieving the goals and objectives of the 1988 Convention was the passing of
anti-money laundering legislation in November, described above. Implementing
rules and regulations are still in process. The FCIB is expected to be named
within the next few weeks. The structure of the money laundering legislation
meets FATF recommendations, including controlled delivery.
Law Enforcement Efforts. Turkish enforcement agencies--the Turkish
National Police (TNP), Jandarma (rural Police), Customs and Coast Guard)--work
closely with the US and other countries in pursuing narcotics investigations
and prosecuting traffickers. Spain, the UK, Nordic Countries, Germany, Italy
and France have narcotics liaison officers posted in Turkey.
According to Turkish Press reports, the Turkish Police (TNP) seized seven mt
of hashish, three tons of heroin, and 12 kgs of cocaine during the year. A
total of 4,060 suspects, including 136 foreigners, were detained on
drug-related charges. Authorities destroyed seven heroin laboratories.
Corruption. There is no Government of Turkey (GOT) policy encouraging or
facilitating the illicit production or distribution of drug, or money
laundering. However, alleged corruption of state officials--including strong
ties between state officials and drug traffickers--recently became a major
topic in Turkey with the "Susurluk" scandal. In November, a Mercedes carrying
a member of Parliament, a former Deputy Police Chief, and a wanted Interpol
murder suspect (alleged to be a hit man for Turkish drug traffickers) crashed
into a truck, killing the occupants. According to press reports, police found
numerous weapons, false identification, and bags of an unspecified white
powder in the car. The subsequent flood of allegations linking the Turkish
drug mafia to Turkish politicians and state police officials led to the
resignation of Interior Minister (and former Security Director in Istanbul)
Mehmet Agar, and the establishment of a Parliamentary committee of inquiry to
investigate possible government corruption.
This scandal was quickly followed by another, as an arrested money courier
coming from Europe on her fiftieth trip in 1996 identified senior Turkish
Police officers as her conduit for the drug money she carried. Police
corruption in drug investigations, long kept just under the surface, appears
to be finally coming to light. The public outrage of the disclosures bodes
well for needed changes in anti-corruption efforts.
Agreements and Treaties. The USG and the GOT have longstanding bilateral
treaties covering extradition and mutual assistance in criminal matters, and a
narcotics assistance protocol. Turkey ratified the 1988 UN Convention, and is
a member of the Financial Action Task Force for the prevention of money
laundering.
Cultivation/Production. A small amount of cannabis is illicitly grown in
Turkey. It is used locally and occasionally exported as hashish. Opium
poppies are legally grown by licensed farmers. Licit opium production is
strictly controlled, and there has been no known diversion into illicit
channels.
Drug Flow/Transit. Turkey's geographic position as a land bridge between
Europe and Southwestern Asia makes it a significant transit country for
illicit narcotics. Morphine base, heroin base, and heroin from Pakistan,
Afghanistan and Iran are smuggled into Turkey across the Turkish/Iranian
border or through Turkish ports. These drugs transit Turkey to Western
Europe, most commonly in TIR (sealed Transport Internationale Routier) trucks.
Morphine base arriving from Southwest Asia is also processed into heroin in
Turkey, as evidenced by AA seizures and TNP crackdowns on heroin processing
plants. Based on statistics from all sources, including European addict
statistics, DEA estimates that 4-6 mt of heroin leave Turkey monthly.
According to Turkish sources, smuggling narcotics through Turkey to Western
Europe has become a major revenue source for the Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK),
a terrorist organization. European law enforcement officials in six countries
conducted raids on PKK-linked Kurdish drug distribution networks.
Demand Reduction. There is only one drug rehabilitation center in Turkey;
it treats alcoholics as well as drug addicts. Consumption of narcotics is not
perceived to be a major problem, although there is general awareness about the
need for drug education. The Turkish security department has drug prevention
programs in schools, especially aimed at 11- to 15-year-olds, who are
considered to be at greatest risk of addiction.
IV. US Policy Initiatives and Programs
USG antinarcotics goals in Turkey are to:
- Disrupt and diminish the transit of narcotics through Turkey, by providing
narcotics control commodity and training assistance to the Turkish National
Police, the primary Turkish narcotics interdiction and enforcement agency.
The mission also provides training and equipment to Turkish Customs aimed at
strengthening interdiction at Turkey's border gates. With the passage of
anti-money laundering legislation in November, the US plans to start training
in the detection of financial crimes related to narcotics trafficking.
- Prevent leakage from licit poppy production. Turkey has successfully
prevented opium leaks into illicit channels by controlling processing and
monitoring growing areas. The USG proposed a project to enhance the opiate
content of the poppy straw, which will enable the Turkish Government to
further raise prices to the farmer, and diminish the area under cultivation.
Reduction of the area under cultivation will lower security monitoring
expenses.
- Help address Turkey's small but growing drug abuse problem, by contributing
funds to the Anatem Clinic, Turkey's only drug abuse and research center.
Some FY-96 funds were used to purchase of automation equipment for the clinic.
Bilateral Cooperation. After a series of years of increasing interdiction
operations, 1996 saw a leveling off. There were no major arrests based on
bilateral cooperation between the USG and GOT.
The Road Ahead. Turkey will continue its anti-narcotics efforts. New
legislation on corruption, and full enforcement of money laundering
legislation, would be positive developments.
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