Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07DHAKA252
2007-02-14 06:44:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Dhaka
Cable title:  

2006 END USE MONITORING REPORT

Tags:  SNAR AFIN BG 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0003
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKA #0252 0450644
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 140644Z FEB 07
FM AMEMBASSY DHAKA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3218
INFO RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 9645
UNCLAS DHAKA 000252 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR AFIN BG
SUBJECT: 2006 END USE MONITORING REPORT

REF: A. STATE 11351


B. 06 DHAKA 01464

UNCLAS DHAKA 000252

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR AFIN BG
SUBJECT: 2006 END USE MONITORING REPORT

REF: A. STATE 11351


B. 06 DHAKA 01464


1. Per reftel A, Econoff visited the Department of Narcotics
Control (DNC) laboratory in Dhaka on February 12 to verify
the INL-funded equipment and discuss their use in the lab.
The DNC was helpful in arranging the visit and the lab's
chief and his deputy were cooperative and willing to answer
any question.

BACKGROUND


2. The USG has contributed several pieces of equipment to
the DNC lab. In 2000, INL provided an analytical balance, a
top loading balance, and a polarizing microscope. In 2005,
INL provided two high powered microscopes. According to the
lab's deputy, the USG has also provided a supply of
supplemental equipment such as microscope slides, thin layer
chromatography slides, and solvent tanks.

STATUS OF THE EQUIPMENT


3. Econoff viewed the analytical balance and the top loading
balance from 2000 and one of the high powered microscopes
from 2005. The equipment was in use, and working properly
with the exception of the previously reported problem (ref B)
with the analytical balance. Due to electrical power
fluctuations, it has an intermittent fault. The polarizing
microscope from 2000 and the other high powered microscope
from 2005 are in storage at the lab. Econoff also viewed the
thin layer chromatography slides. The one high powered
microscope not in storage is used to visually identify
cannabis, using distinctive microscopic physical qualities,
as demonstrated to Econoff. Cannabis is the third most
common substance tested in the lab. The most common
substances tested at the lab are alcohol, both locally made
country liquor (moonshine) and smuggled commercial brands of
hard liquor, followed by heroin; neither is testable in the
INL donated microscopes.

STATUS OF THE LABORATORY


4. The understaffing and budget problems, identified in ref
B, continue. One third of its positions are vacant (nine of
23 total positions) and only one third of the trained
positions are filled (presently they have one chemical
examiner and one assistant examiner, instead of two and four,
respectively). At the same time, its workload of samples for
testing has increased substantially (the lab is on track to
test samples in over 20,000 cases in 2007, up from 8,991 in
2004 and 2,336 in 2001). Both the lab's chief and his deputy
stressed this personnel crisis to Econoff, requesting that it
be relayed to the Director General of DNC, who still has not
yet visited the lab over a year into his tenure. They
reported the critical issues to be the pay rate and lack of
leave time. The lab's staff is very appreciative of USG
donations of equipment, but is also honest in their
self-assessment that they do not have adequate staff to
operate the equipment they have on hand. After the staffing
problem, the lab's next highest priority is improvements to
the facility itself, specifically an exhaust fan or exhaust
hood system. Econoff noted a strong chemical odor in the
lab, and the lab's chief and deputy both commented on the
health risks of using some of the chemicals needed in their
testing work without adequate ventilation.

ANALYSIS


5. USG efforts to support the lab are not enough to ensure
efficient operation without increased GOB support.
Encouraging the DNC to ensure staffing at authorized levels
would allow the lab to utilize the equipment they already
have more effectively. The contribution of an exhaust fan or
exhaust hood system for work involving the most dangerous
vapors would be the next logical step in equipment
contributions, as that would increase the health and safety
of the lab staff already employed.
BUTENIS