EVIDENCE OF INCREASED MARIJUANA CULTIVATION AND POSSIBLE

UNCLAS ADDIS ABABA 000116 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E AND INL/ENT CAIRO FOR DEA JUSTICE FOR OIA, AFLMA AND NDDS TREASURY FOR FINCIN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SNAR KCRM ET SUBJECT: EVIDENCE OF INCREASED MARIJUANA CULTIVATION AND POSSIBLE HASHISH PRODUCTION REF: 07 Addis Ababa 3249 ¶1. SUMMARY: A recent seizure of 73 kilograms of cannabis (marijuana) and the arrest of five people indicates a possible up-tick in commercial drug cultivation in Ethiopia. Additionally, sources indicate that drug growers are using machines to manufacture hashish from cannabis plants, a new development for Ethiopia. END SUMMARY. ¶2. Marijuana is traditionally grown in small quantities throughout the rural areas of Ethiopia. The Rastafarian community centered in Shashamene, about 250 kilometers south of Addis Ababa, views consumption of marijuana as a sacrament, and most of Ethiopia's marijuana is grown in the areas surrounding Shashamene. On December 29, the Federal Police arrested five Ethiopians attempting to sell 73 kilograms of marijuana. One person was arrested with the drugs in Shashamene and the other four were arrested in Addis. ¶3. According to the Federal Police, this seizure is relatively large for Ethiopia. In 2006, a total of 482 kilograms of cannabis was seized. The head of the Federal Police Counternarcotics unit informed the Embassy that the cannabis seized was intended for domestic use. Additionally, he told post that there is information that traffickers in and around Shashamene are using machines to process raw cannabis into a paste to smuggle abroad. Such processing, however, was not used for the cannabis seized in this bust. Consultations with the DEA attach in Cairo indicate that such processing of marijuana into hashish would be a new development for Ethiopia. ¶4. COMMENT: Ethiopia is not a major drug-producing nation. However, cannabis is grown throughout the country, especially around the Rastafarian commune in Shashamene. The seizure, along with reports of a nascent hashish-producing industry, is a concerning departure from the norm of small-scale consumption at home. Post will continue to work with Ethiopian authorities to monitor these developments. END COMMENT. YAMAMOTO