Turkmenistan Releases 2007 Drug Seizure Statistics

UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000217 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN (PERRY); INL (BUHLER) TASHKENT FOR DEA (CORTINOVIS) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM SNAR PREL TX US SUBJECT: Turkmenistan Releases 2007 Drug Seizure Statistics Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) Post received 2006 drug-seizure statistics from the Government of Turkmenistan via diplomatic note on February 9. The government has passed seizure statistics to post intermittently during the past two years, and post has also received data via the Ashgabat office of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Post requested the 2006 statistics via a January 17 diplomatic note and made a follow-up request during a January 31 EUR/ACE Assistance meeting with the Deputy Chief of the State Counternarcotics Commission at the Cabinet of Ministers, Yaylim Berdiyev. The numbers released show an almost three-fold increase in the amount of illegal narcotics seized in 2006 (more than three tons) vice the 2005 seizure statistics (just over one ton). End Summary. NARCOTICS STATISTICS -------------- ¶2. (U) On February 9, the Government of Turkmenistan forwarded the following statistics on narcotics seized by Turkmenistan's law enforcement and military agencies during the 2006 calendar year: total 3 tons, 396 kilos and 914 grams: -- heroin: 201 kilograms 113 grams -- opium: 2 tons 655 kilograms 701 grams -- marijuana: 154 kilograms 338 grams -- poppy straw: 169 kilograms 602 grams -- hashish: 206 kilograms 158 grams By comparison, a total of 1 ton 225 kilograms and 751 grams of narcotics was reportedly seized during the 2005 calendar year. Comment -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Absent specific seizure reports, post can only report the empirical data, noting an increase in the amount of narcotics officially reported in 2006. The government has not provided any analysis, so it would be pure conjecture to speculate whether the source of the increase represents 1) an increase in narcotics transiting through Turkmenistan; 2) enhanced law enforcement seizures, or; 3) more accurate reporting from Turkmenistan's officials. Post will continue to press government interlocutors and senior officials for more explicit information. End Comment. BRUSH