Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ASHGABAT217
2007-02-21 11:11:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
Turkmenistan Releases 2007 Drug Seizure Statistics
how-toVZCZCXRO2974 PP RUEHAST RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHMRE RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHAH #0217 0521111 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 211111Z FEB 07 FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8430 INFO RUCNOSC/OSCE POST COLLECTIVE RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 1881 RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 0624 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 0678 RUEHNT/AMEMBASSY TASHKENT 5024 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 1249 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC//J5/RUE// RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHMFIUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//CCJ2/HSE/GCJ5//
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
-------
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
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