INCSR 2006: SAUDI ARABIA SUBMISSION

UNCLAS RIYADH 000149

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NEA/ARP FOR BRIAN SHUKAN, INL FOR JOHN LYLE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL SNAR KCRM
SUBJECT: INCSR 2006: SAUDI ARABIA SUBMISSION

REF: STATE 154898


1. (U) In response to reftel, Post submits its 2006
International Narcotics Control Straetgy Report. BEGIN TEXT:



I. Summary
Saudi Arabia has no appreciable drug production and is not a
significant transit country. Saudi Arabia,s conservative
cultural and religious norms discourage drug abuse. The Saudi
Government places a high priority on combating narcotics
abuse and trafficking. Since 1988, the Government has imposed
the death penalty for drug smuggling. Although it is believed
that drug abuse is increasing, drug abuse and trafficking do
not pose major social or law enforcement problems. However,
Saudi officials acknowledge that illegal drug consumption and
trafficking are on the rise. This rise has caused increased
arrests and governmental controls over the past year. Saudi
and U.S. counter narcotics officials maintain good relations.
Saudi Arabia is a party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention.
II. Status of Country
Saudi Arabia has no significant drug production, and in
keeping with its conservative Islamic values and 1988 UN Drug
Convention obligations, it places a high priority on fighting
narcotics abuse and trafficking. Narcotics-related crimes are
punished harshly, and narcotics trafficking is a capital
offense enforced against Saudis and foreigners alike. During
2006, approximately 20 executions for narcotics-related
offenses were reported in the Saudi media. Saudi Arabia
maintains a network of overseas drug enforcement liaison
offices and state-of-the-art detection and training programs
to combat trafficking. While Saudi officials are determined
in their counter narcotics efforts, drug trafficking and
abuse is a growing problem. Since the Saudi government
provides no statistics on drug consumption, interdiction, and
trafficking, it is difficult to substantiate this assessment
with hard data. Newspaper reports indicated that there are
about one hundred and fifty thousand drug addicts and users
in the Kingdom. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that
Saudi Arabia,s relatively affluent population, large numbers
of idle youth, and high profit margins on smuggled narcotics
make the country an attractive target for drug traffickers
and dealers.
The Saudi Government undertakes widespread counter narcotics
educational campaigns in the media, health institutes, and
schools. The government also blocks internet sites that it
deems to promote drug abuse. Government efforts to treat
drug abuse are aimed solely at Saudi nationals, who are
remanded to one of the nation,s four drug treatment centers
in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Qassim. Al-Amal hospital in
Riyadh has an in-patient rehabilitation center for women.
Additionally, media reports and Saudi officials noted that
the Ministry of Health planned to open an in-patient
rehabilitation center for female addicts in the Jeddah branch
of Al-Amal hospital at the end of 2006. As of this report,
the center had not yet been opened. The hospital currently
treats female drug abusers as outpatients. The women branch
at the General Presidency for Fighting Narcotics was
established in 1988 and had only one female employee.
Currently, it has 40 female staff members. Expatriate
substance abusers are jailed and summarily deported. Health
officials confirm anecdotal reports of an increase in drug
abuse, but note that most addictions are not severe due to
the scarcity of available narcotics and their diluted form.
Saudi narcotics officials said that Keptagon, Heroin, Hashish
and Qat are the most heavily-consumed substances, but Saudi
officials report that cocaine and amphetamines are also in
demand. Paint/glue inhalation and abuse of prescription drugs
are also reported.
III. Country Actions Against Drugs in 2005
Policy Initiatives. The lead agency in Saudi Arabia,s drug
interdiction efforts is the Ministry of Interior, which has
over 40 overseas offices in countries representing a
trafficking threat. In addition, the Saudi Government
continues to play a leading role in efforts to enhance
intelligence sharing among the six nations of the Gulf
Cooperation Council.
Accomplishments/Law Enforcement Efforts. Saudi and U.S. drug
enforcement officials exchange information on narcotics
cases. Drug seizures, arrests, prosecutions and consumption
trends are becoming more a matter of public record. Contrary
to previous years, illegal narcotics seizures by Saudi
officials appear frequently in local newspapers.
Corruption. There is no evidence of involvement by Saudi
Government officials in the production, processing or
shipment of narcotic and psychotropic drugs and other
controlled substances. However, newspapers reported in
August 2006 that one Saudi officer and two border guard
policemen were beheaded for drug distribution and smuggling.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that drugs are widely used in
Saudi prisons in which certain officers are involved in
selling and distribution.
Agreements and Treaties. Saudi Arabia is a party to the 1988
UN Drug Convention, the 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic
Substances, and the 1961 UN Single Convention as amended by
its 1972 Protocol. Saudi Arabia signed the UN Convention on
Transnational Organized Crime in 12 December 2000 and
ratified it in 18 January 2005.
Cultivation/Production. Cultivation and production of
narcotics in Saudi Arabia is negligible. However, one
incident reported in the media indicated that the National
Guard in Madina raided a house after cannabis was discovered
in the yard.
Drug Flow/Transit. Saudi Arabia is not a major transshipment
point. Officials say that there are stricter control measures
practiced by the country and therefore more seizures.
Keptagon and Heroin are smuggled into the Kingdom,s from the
northern border with Jordan. Hashish is smuggled into the
Kingdom from its north-eastern borders with the United Arab
Emirates, and Qat is smuggled into the Kingdom from its
southern borders with Yemen.
Domestic Programs (Demand Reduction). In addition to
widespread media campaigns against substance abuse, the Saudi
Government sponsors drug eradication programs directed at
school-age children, health care providers and mothers. The
Ministry of Civil service will begin requiring applicants for
civil service positions to take a drug test as of January

2007. Executions of convicted traffickers (public beheadings
which are widely publicized) are believed by Saudi officials
to serve as a deterrent to narcotics trafficking and abuse.
The country,s influential religious establishment actively
preaches against narcotics use, and Government treatment
facilities provide free counseling to Saudi addicts.
IV. U.S. Policy Initiatives and Programs
Bilateral Cooperation. Saudi officials actively seek and
participate in U.S.-Sponsored training programs and are
receptive to enhanced official contacts with DEA. Saudi
Arabia is part of the International Combating Office in Cairo
that works closely with the US combating agencies.
Road Ahead. The U.S. will continue to explore opportunities
for additional bilateral training and cooperation.
END TEXT.





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