KAZAKHSTAN: 2009-2010 INCSR PART 1, DRUGS AND CHEMICAL

UNCLAS ASTANA 002196 STATE FOR INL/AAE, SCA/CEN, SCA/RA SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL SNAR KCRM KCOR KZ SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: 2009-2010 INCSR PART 1, DRUGS AND CHEMICAL CONTROL REF: STATE 97228 ¶1. In response to reftel, the text of Part 1 of the International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) for Kazakhstan follows in paragraphs 2-67. SUMMARY ¶2. Kazakhstan is primarily a transit country for drug trafficking and is located on the northern route from Afghanistan. According to the UN Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC),Kazakhstan and its Central Asian neighbors are increasingly becoming active consumers of Afghan opiates transited along the northern route. In 2009, the government of Kazakhstan developed new approaches to fight drug trafficking and consumption, focusing its attention on prevention and supply reduction and prioritizing the strengthening of its southern border. Law enforcement agencies acknowledge that civil society, NGOs, and mass media are essential partners in combating the problem of narcotics. ¶3. The government has paid a great deal of attention to the international fight against drug trafficking and the regional coordination of efforts. Kazakhstan continues to implement two large-scale programs to combat corruption and drug trafficking. Kazakhstan is party to the UN Convention against Illicit Trafficking of Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances and the Convention against Corruption. STATUS OF COUNTRY ¶4. Its geographic location, transportation infrastructure, open borders, and economic and social stability have made Kazakhstan a major transit zone for narcotics. Kazakhstan, concerned about possible increases in crime caused by the global financial crisis, adopted a road map to decrease unemployment. The Minister of Interior attributed the 10% decrease in crime to this program. ¶5. The traffic of Afghan opiates and growth of marijuana in Southern Kazakhstan affect the drug situation in Kazakhstan. This year, Georgian, Nigerian, Mongolian, Afghan, Ghanaian, and Russian citizens have been arrested for narco-trafficking along with citizens from throughout Central Asia. The main drugs consumed in Kazakhstan are marijuana and heroin. Heroin has rapidly overtaken opium, the traditional drug of choice in Kazakhstan. GOVERNMENT DEVELOPMENTS ¶6. Three law enforcement agencies combat drug trafficking in Kazakhstan -- the Committee for National Security (KNB),the Customs Control Committee (CCC) and the Ministry of Interior (MVD). A part of KNB, the Border Guard Service (BGS) inspects people and vehicles for the presence of drugs on the border. KNB also has a Division on Combating International Drug Trafficking, which works both on the border and inside the country, and participates in controlled delivery operations outside of the country. This Committee focuses on disrupting drug channels and trafficking sources and tracks the number of trafficking rings and criminal organizations thwarted rather than the amount of drugs seized. The CCC of the Ministry of Finance is also present on the border. MVD through its Committee on Combating Drugs and Control over the Circulation of Drugs (KBN) combats trafficking through its regional counter-narcotics divisions. The MVD's Committee of Internal Troops provides security in prisons and, with the Ministry of Justice's Committee of Criminal and Executive Systems, combats drug trafficking in prisons. The Ministry of Defense's Military Police focuses on drug trafficking in the military. ¶7. In existence since 2004, the KBN coordinates the counter-narcotics work of ministries, agencies, and NGOs. It works with international organizations and conducts anti-drug information campaigns and other demand-reduction activities. An interagency commission chaired by the Minister of Interior considers the progress of anti-drug programs. The KBN is interested in new methods to evaluate officers and investigate drug-related crimes and money-laundering cases. It also wants to explore a new registration systems for drug addicts. ¶8. The KBN recently began to double its staff and increase the capacity of its special divisions in high-risk areas -- Delta-Dolina in the Chu Valley to combat the local production of marijuana, Yug in Shymkent, and Center in Karaganda. The Yug special division will fight trafficking in the South Kazakhstan and Almaty Oblasts, and the Center division will work in the Karaganda, Pavlodar, North Kazakhstan, and Kostanai Oblasts. The government determined six internal narcotics checkpoints to be not as effective as expected, because these stationary posts were easily detoured, the construction was not completed, and the budget was not sufficient to provide necessary equipment to the posts. The KBN now plans to focus its efforts on mobile groups, which can better patrol high-risk areas. It will move personnel from the checkpoints to the newly-established special units in Shymkent and Karaganda. ¶9. In 2005, the government of Kazakhstan launched a 2006-2014 strategy to combat drug addiction and trafficking. This year, the government introduced the next three-year program to implement the strategy. ¶10. In 2008, the government amended its counter-narcotics laws, which strengthened the legislation as provided for in Article 24 of the UN Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. Kazakhstan also adheres to Article 11 of the Convention when it participates in controlled deliveries, which have been conducted with neighboring countries including China. ¶11. The 2009-2011 program also provides for drug-demand reduction. Government agencies plan to implement computer-based training programs in schools and increase the number of projects with NGOs. Currently, 1,400 police officers are working in city schools. The program will expand the number of police officers working in schools and will add police to large schools in rural areas. The program will also strengthen treatment and rehabilitation for drug addicts. ¶12. Based on UN recommendations and positive results in some European countries, the KBN is developing a draft law to provide treatment instead of imprisonment for drug-addicted criminals. The law would permit a suspended sentence to allow treatment. ¶13. The Criminal Procedural Code was also amended to allow for the retention of only the amount of seized narcotics required for forensic testing. The minimum amount will be retained and entered into evidence, along with the forensic report, during trial. The rest of the seized drugs will be destroyed immediately to avoid the serious problem of resale of seized heroin by corrupt police. ¶14. In June 2008, the Kazakhstani government amended the Criminal, Criminal Procedural, and Administrative Codes to strengthen punishment for drug-related crimes. These amendments were introduced in line with article 24 of the UN Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, which allows for stricter national measures than provided for in the Convention. The new law provides for life imprisonment for serious drug-related crimes, including trafficking in large quantities, participation in drug-related crimes as part of a criminal organization, sale of drugs in educational institutions and/or to minors, and sale or distribution of drugs resulting in death. ¶15. Kazakhstan conducted a large-scale information campaign about the amendments because many drug couriers are citizens of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, who traffic drugs to support their families. ¶16. Article 319-1 of the Administrative Code penalizes owners of entertainment facilities, such as bars and clubs, who do not take measures to stop the sales or consumption of drugs or psychotropic substances. Fines are determined by the size of the business and based on the monthly calculated index (MCI),which is determined annually and is the basis of all fines, taxes, and benefits for both individuals and businesses. MCI is currently 1,296 tenge ($8.64). During 2009, the government carried out operations and raids to stop distribution and consumption of drugs in entertainment centers. As a result, 12 criminal cases were opened and the owners of four entertainment centers were fined. ¶17. The 2006-2008 Astana Drug Free City program, announced in September 2006, focuses on demand reduction, treatment of drug addiction, and combat against drug trafficking in the capital. Pleased by its effectiveness, the Astana Maslikhat (City Council) extended the program. The MVD, working with other law-enforcement agencies, uncovered 201 drug-related crimes (a slight increase over last year's 198),including 66 drug sales (last year 54). It seized over 112 kilos of drugs, including 7.7 kilos of heroin, closed three drug houses, blocked two trafficking channels, dismantled one organized criminal group, and closed 38 drug markets. A broad anti-drug information campaign was also conducted. ¶18. The issue of border security came to the forefront this year during the negotiations among Kazakhstan, Russia, and Belarus to enter into a customs union. As part of the agreement, Kazakhstan may withdraw customs from its border with Russia as soon as July 2011, which has led Russia to express concerns about the security of Kazakhstan's southern border. In May 2009, the Government of Kazakhstan approved the 2009-2011 Program on Combating Drug Addiction and Narco-Business with a total budget of 39.7 billion tenge (approximately $260 million). The program especially prioritizes strengthening the southern border with radar, patrol vehicles, and communications equipment. Customs checkpoints will be equipped with X-ray, automated cargo control systems, and other modern inspection equipment. The government will provide counternarcotics divisions of the Ministry of Interior (MVD) with three mobile scanning machines for inspection of trucks in the South-Kazakhstan, Kyzylorda, Almaty and Zhambyl Oblasts. This program requires that the MVD pay special attention to the disruption of internal drug-distribution networks. ¶19. Last year the government of Kazakhstan established a security zone along 107 kilometers of its 2,351 kilometer border with Uzbekistan. This year, a second 209-kilometer zone is planned for the border with Kyrgyzstan. The Border Guard Service has aviation divisions and plans to increase its use of helicopters to search for narco-traffickers. ¶20. The government of Kazakhstan has also focused on strengthening security in the run up to its 2010chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Kazakhstan has expressed its desire to strengthen regional security and develop non-military responses to the fight against terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking, and organized crime. On August 29, President Nazarbayev signed a decree to establish the Path to Europe program for 2009-2011, which is aimed at increasing cooperation between Kazakhstan and Europe. ¶21. Kazakhstan strengthened its cooperation with the Russian Federation this year. The Federal Service on Drugs Control (FSKN) of the Russian Federation has complained that the amount of drugs transported into Russia has not significantly decreased despite the work of international organizations and law enforcement agencies in Kazakhstan. In response, Kazakhstan and Russia held numerous meetings in 2009 to discuss joint efforts to combat drug trafficking and concluded agreements on cooperation. Kazakhstan and Russia conducted two joint operations within the agreements, and the FSKN is providing training courses to law enforcement agencies in Kazakhstan. On August 21, at an international meeting on border cooperation, the law enforcement agencies of Kazakhstan and Russia signed a protocol to their agreement, which provides for cooperation between the Western-Kazakhstan oblasts of Atyrau, Aktobe, and Mangystau and the Astrakhan, Samara, Orenburg, Saratov, and Volgograd oblasts of the Russian Federation. ¶22. Inaugurated on December 9, the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Center (CARICC) was created to facilitate information exchange and analysis, and to assist in the coordination of operational activities of regional law-enforcement agencies. Ratified by the parliaments of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan, the CARICC agreement entered into force on March 2. The President of the Russian Federation signed the agreement on September 4. The CARICC Council approved a two-year strategic plan and CARICC-staff rules and regulations. The Council approved observer status for Austria, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Interpol, Pakistan, and the United States. On September 16, the government of Kazakhstan signed the Host Country Agreement with CARICC, which covers the privileges and immunities of CARICC, its staff and liaison officers from the member states and observer countries in the host country. The government of Kazakhstan allocated $2.7 million for the renovation of the CARICC building. Canada, the Czech Republic, Great Britain, Finland, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Turkey, and the United States have financially contributed to CARICC's creation. The total budget through 2011 is $15.4 million. LAW-ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS ¶23. Kazakhstan actively fights drug trafficking and works with neighboring countries to share information. The BGS and Customs Control Committee of the Ministry of Finance secure the border. The MVD works within the country, and the KNB focuses on organized criminal groups and drug cartels. ¶24. During the first nine months of 2009, law-enforcement agencies registered 7,840 drug-related crimes, a 0.5% decrease from last year. Of the total, 7,389 were registered by the MVD, 279 by the KNB, and 160 by Customs. Of the total drug-related crimes, 2,047 were sales-related cases, an increase from last year's 1,849. During the same time period, drug trafficking cases (206 cases) dropped 30.6%. Of those cases, 88 were registered by the MVD, 23 by the KNB, and 92 by Customs. During the time period, the government shut 29 drug houses and seized 24.244 tons of drugs and psychotropic substances (a 4.5% increase from last year's 23.2 tons). There was a 57.6% decrease in heroin seizures (641.3 kilos),a 92.9% increase in opium seizures (95.3 kilos),a 33% increase in hashish seizures (432.6 kilos),and an 8.2% increase in marijuana seizures (22.937 metric tons). ¶25. During the past year, Kazakhstani law-enforcement agencies have increased their focus on operations against entire cartels and controlled deliveries instead of attempting to increase seizures by arresting as many low-level couriers as possible. The KNB conducted 20 international counter-narcotics operations, blocked 49 international drug trafficking routes, and dismantled 57 drug trafficking groups. The MVD dismantled eight organized criminal groups, members of which had committed 40 drug-related crimes throughout the country. The MVD conducted 21 controlled delivery operations, including operations with Kyrgyzstan and Russia. As a result of these operations, it seized 555.7 kilos of drugs, including 21 kilos of heroin. ¶26. During the first nine months of 2009, the number of people charged with administrative offenses has increased 93.3% (4,816). Of the total, 2,739 people were arrested for driving while under the influence of narcotics. Article 320 of the Administrative Code covers the illegal manufacture, processing, purchase, storage, transportation, and/or distribution of drugs, psychotropic substances, and precursors for any purpose other than sales. Individuals charged under this section can be fined from five to 10 MCI (1 MCI equals $8.64) or jailed for up to ten days. Officials can be fined 15-20 MCI and jailed for up to 15 days. Fines for small- and medium-sized businesses are 25-30 MCI, and for large enterprises 40-50 MCI. During 2009, 2,006 people were charged under article 320. As amended in July 2008, article 55 of the Administrative Code allows judges to sentence individuals up to 15 days in jail for certain types of drug-related administrative violations. However, pregnant women, women with children under the age of 14, minors, handicapped people, women over the age of 58, and men over the age of 63 cannot be jailed. ¶27. In 2009, 5,281 people were arrested for drug-related crimes. The number of women arrested decreased by 14.3% (from 638 to 547), and minors decreased by 21.9% (from 32 people to 25). The number of foreign citizens arrested for drug-related crimes decreased by 30.7% (from 326 to 226),with the majority from Kyrgyzstan (109 people), Russia (72),and Uzbekistan (59). ¶28. During Operation Temir Tor, the KNB dismantled a large, regional drug group that transported opiates from Tajikistan through Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to Russia. As a result, the KNB seized over 42 kilos of heroin, opened five criminal cases, and arrested one leader and eight members of the group. The KNB discovered that the group's profits were laundered through various investments, and a criminal case for tax invasion was filed against the wife of the group's leader. ¶29. The KNB also stopped a large, regional drug group transporting opiates to Eastern Kazakhstan during Operation Valkiriya. As a result, KNB arrested the leader and six members who operated a sales network in the East Kazakhstan Oblast and seized four kilos of heroin, 1.65 million tenge ($11,000),over $11,000 in U.S. currency, 1,500 rubles, and 600 grams of explosives. ¶30. The Collective Security Treaty Organization (SCTO) conducted the Kanal-2009 interstate operation September 22-29. The operation reportedly resulted in the detection of 231 crimes and seizures of 1.8 metric tons of drugs, including 25.6 kilos of heroin, and over 523 metric tons of precursor chemicals. ¶31. A scheme to use fund transfers to pay drug dealers, previously seen in Russia, has been found in Kazakhstan. In this scheme, the purchaser is given information on a newly-opened bank account. When funds are transferred, the location of a hidden cache is revealed, thus minimizing the direct contact between seller and purchaser. When the scheme was uncovered, police discovered that 15 million tenge ($100,000) had been transferred through accounts. During a search of an organizer's residence, police found 150 lost or stolen ID cards, which had been used to open new bank accounts. ¶32. Drug dealers also smuggle drugs into jails and temporary detention facilities, including through hiding them in parcels brought into the facilities. In one case in Akmolinskaya Oblast, an attorney was arrested with 5.32 grams of heroin hidden under his belt. ¶33. Traffickers continue to search for new concealment methods. Recently, traffickers attempted to mask the scent of heroin from canines by coating shipments with powdered wolves' teeth. Traffickers also soak clothing in a heroin solution. When the clothing is delivered the heroin can then be extracted. ¶34. Customs had large seizures this year. On June 16, Customs canine officers in the Kostanaiskaya Oblast on the border with Russia found 63 packets of heroin weighing 19.676 kilos in a vehicle's tire. The owner of the vehicle was from Kyrgyzstan en route to Russia. CORRUPTION ¶35. The government of Kazakhstan does not encourage or facilitate illicit production or distribution of narcotic or psychotropic drugs or other controlled substances. It also does not support the laundering of proceeds from illegal drug trafficking. There have been no cases this year of senior government officials engaged in the illicit production or distribution of drugs. In March, Prime Minister Masimov stated that traffickers would not attempt to transport large quantities across the border without protection from law-enforcement officers. Masimov thus called for the creation of a special unit to root out government officials working with traffickers. However, creation of such a unit remains unconfirmed. ¶36. The MVD actively fights narco-corruption in its ranks. Recruits are vetted, and special divisions investigate crimes committed by police. Ten police officers were arrested this year for drug-related crimes. The MVD is also working on new methods to prevent bribery and corruption and will conduct preventative measures as part of its 2009-2010 anti-corruption plan. Presently, the average police salary is approximately $200-$266 a month. The new plan includes bonuses of $200-$333 for not taking bribes. ¶37. An anti-narcotics police officer in the Northern Kazakhstan Oblast was arrested for accepting a 200,000 tenge ($1,333) bribe from a trafficker. A criminal case was opened. ¶38. The KNB arrested an MVD employee for selling 0.28 grams of heroin. KNB officers found 58.97 grams of heroin and 1.54 grams of marijuana in the employee's residence. A criminal case for storage and sales of narcotics was opened. ¶39. Two police officers were fired after traces of narcotics were found during a blood test. No criminal case was opened, because no drugs were found on their persons or in their homes. AGREEMENTS AND TREATIES ¶40. Law-enforcement agencies in Kazakhstan cooperate within intergovernmental interagency agreements with the Drug Control Agencies (DCA) of the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Russia, and Uzbekistan. The agencies of these countries conduct joint operations, investigations, demand-reduction programs, and exchange of operative information and methodology. ¶41. Kazakhstan plans to sign an agreement with Afghanistan on cooperation in the fight against trafficking and abuse of drugs, psychotropic substances, and precursors. Kazakhstan is also working on new agreements with the DCAs of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. CULTIVATION/PRODUCTION ¶42. Kazakhstan produces wild marijuana, ephedra, and opium poppies. Such drugs grow on over 1.2 million hectares in the Almaty, Zhambyl, South Kazakhstan, Kyzylorda ,and East Kazakhstan Oblasts. The largest source of marijuana is the Chu Valley in the Zhambyl Oblast, in which wild marijuana with a high THC content grows on an estimated 138,000 hectares. Experts estimate that 145,000 metric tons of marijuana or as much as 6,000 tons of hashish could be produced annually. The government of Kazakhstan continues to consider possible licit industrial uses for the Chu Valley marijuana. Various projects have been proposed, but nothing has been approved. ¶43. The KBN established two special divisions in 2008 to combat marijuana trafficking. The Ontustik (South) Special Division focuses on organized crime in South Kazakhstan, and Delta-Dolina specifically focuses on illicit activities in the Chu Valley. The work of these divisions is believed to have contributed to the recent 17% increase in marijuana and hashish prices. The divisions still require additional staffing, vehicles, and satellite communications equipment. ¶44. Operation Mak (Poppy) is conducted annually from June 1 through October 20 to combat the marijuana harvest and dismantle drug cartels in the Chu Valley. During the operation, the KBN closely cooperates with the BGS and Customs to create a security belt around the valley to prevent the traffic of marijuana while Delta-Dolina patrols the valley. As a result, law-enforcement agencies seized 16.1 tons of drugs. The MVD registered 3,300 drug-related crimes, including 32 cases of trafficking. DRUG FLOW/TRANSIT ¶45. The main types of drugs trafficked through Kazakhstan are Afghani opiates (heroin and opium),marijuana, and hashish. There was no manufacture of synthetic drugs in Kazakhstan in 2009. ¶46. The primary trafficking route through Kazakhstan and Russia transits Almaty, Karaganda, Semey, Novosibirsk, Barnaul, and Omsk. Drugs travel over land by rail, bus, and vehicle. Trafficking on the border with Kyrgyzstan is increasing as the border with Uzbekistan is strengthened. The MVD believes that drug traffickers cross the mountains on foot or horse. The number of drug mules swallowing drugs has increased on the border with Kyrgyzstan. In June, a passenger on a train from Bishkek to Novokuznezk was transported to the hospital after suffering intestinal problems. After his death, it was discovered that he had swallowed 45 packets of heroin, totaling 284 grams. Another drug mule traveling by bus from Pavlodar to Novosibirsk survived after seven of the nine packets of heroin dissolved in his stomach. The two remaining capsules contained 13.6 grams of heroin. ¶47. With the transit of narcotics through Kazakhstan, the drug addiction rate in the country continues to increase. Experts estimate that 10-15% of the opiates trafficked through Kazakhstan remain in the domestic market. Narcotics are primarily trafficked over land on trains and in trucks with fruits and vegetables. Law-enforcement agencies continue to complain about the use of International Road Transport Convention (TIR) carnets by drug traffickers. Customs officials can only inspect trucks traveling with a TIR carnet when the truck is sealed at its departure and at its destination. Customs officials of a transited country can open and inspect the vehicle only in exceptional circumstances. The 2009-2011 Program on Combating Drug Addiction and Narco-Business provides for the purchase of scanners for border checkpoints and inside the country in order to detect contraband in sealed trucks. ¶48. According to the MVD, one kilo of heroin costs $1,000-$1,500 on the Afghan-Tajik border, $4,000 upon entry into Kazakhstan, and $20,000 when it enters Russia from Kazakhstan. The wholesale price of heroin is $30,000 per kilo in Europe. ¶49. In July, the Head of the KNB Division on Combating International Drug Trafficking stated that the use of heavy drugs has decreased since the beginning of the financial crisis, because drug users no longer have cash. The barter of vehicles and other property for drugs has also increased. The KNB reported a corresponding increase in the production and traffic of light drugs. DOMESTIC PROGRAMS/DEMAND REDUCTION ¶50. The MVD closely works with the Ministries of Culture and Information, Health, Education and Science, and Tourism and Sport to conduct drug-demand-reduction information campaigns. They have conducted 6,500 events in the country, including 275 seminars, 4,031 lectures and meetings, 345 round tables, and 599 sport competitions and tournaments. Each year Kazakhstan commemorates the International Day against Drug Addiction on June 26. ¶51. The total number of registered drug addicts has decreased by 1.6% to 53,883 while the number of drug addicts under the age of 18 has increased by 2.1% to 3,839. Some theorize that this year's increase results from the government's efforts to reach minors. ¶52. National television stations and newspapers distribute information on the fight against drug trafficking. They regularly publish articles about police operations and drug-demand reduction campaigns. The MVD publishes the magazines Narkopost and Future without Drugs. The Ministry of Education and Science introduced special demand-reduction curricula at schools, which include lectures by Treatment experts, psychologists, and police. ¶53. Civil society and human-rights activists opposed last year's proposal to drug test all students. The Ministry of Health proposed testing only high-risk groups after only 0.5% of 5,300 students in Almaty tested positive during a 2006 pilot project. Alexandr Katkov, Acting Head of the Pavlodar Republican Scientific and Practical Center of Medical and Social Problems believes simple drug testing is not the answer to solving childhood addiction. He has pushed for psychological testing to determine whether a student is a drug user or a drug addict. ¶54. A government anti-drug program provides for anti-drug education for school psychologists and social workers. The staff of 500 schools over three years will be trained. This year, the pilot project will be implemented in 75 schools in Pavlodar, Karaganda, and Taraz. ¶55. A pilot project to test methadone therapy was launched in Pavlodar and Temirtau and 29 heroin addicts, including 11 that were HIV-positive, took part. Funded by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, the project provides patients with medical and psychological treatment. So far, the project appears to have cured four participants of their addiction. Despite these results, the project's funding is due to end soon. ¶56. Kazakhstan continues to have problems with its old treatment system, in which patients had to register and provide their personal information. Many did not seek treatment for fear that their information would be provided to the police. The 2009-2011 Program on Combating Drug Addiction and Narco-Business will provide confidentiality for those seeking treatment. ¶57. Kazakhstan's 2006-2010 AIDS Program provides for contraceptives, information, educational materials, needle exchanges, and free, confidential treatment. Help-lines and clinics provide services. U.S. POLICY INITIATIVES AND PROGRAMS BILATERAL COOPERATION ¶58. Post has had relatively good cooperation during the past year with all law-enforcement agencies. To increase the capacity of the canine services of law-enforcement agencies, INL funded a series of events that included extensive train-the-trainer courses in Austria, an International Canine Conference in Kazakhstan, training events in Kazakhstan, and the participation of Kazakhstani canine specialists in international conferences in Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, and Moscow. ¶59. The KNB's Military Institute, which trains border guards, has adopted the Austrian methods to select and train canines and has trained one group of cadets in the new curriculum. The Military Institute's Canine Department has conducted an in-service training program of BGS canine officers, leading to a number of successful seizures on the border. Three instructors trained in Austria have trained approximately 60 canine officers from the MVD and BGS. ¶60. INL-funded projects are leading to many innovations in the canine service, including a study on canine socialization when housed with their handlers, the use of dry food, which is healthier than the previously-used cooked food. They now plan to use real narcotics to train and are drafting a textbook for used by all canine services. ¶61. Through UNODC, INL continues to provide support to the MVD's internal narcotics checkpoints. UNODC has purchased and installed satellite-communication, radio-communications, and office equipment. In 2008, over 10 metric tons of drugs, including heroin, marijuana, hashish, and opium, were seized at internal checkpoints. ¶62. To strengthen its capacity to conduct special operations and patrol vulnerable areas, INL provided the MVD with 17 mini-vans and four jeeps. In order to support better data handling by the MVD, INL purchased a server to allow for the safe and secure storage of data. INL also supported a two-week counternarcotics training course for counter-narcotics officers at the Turkish Academy on Combating Organized Crime and Drugs (TADOC). INL is funding the purchase of office equipment and furniture for the MVD's Interagency Counter-Narcotics Training Center. ¶63. To increase the capacity of border guards, INL continues to cooperate with the Military Institute and the BGS. INL funded the renovation of and provided equipment to an additional Border Guard Field Training Center in Uralsk, Western Kazakhstan and a classroom at the Military Institute of the Committee for National Security. INL equipped the Aviation Border Guard Training Center in Astana. In response to a request from the Military Institute, a study tour for five law-enforcement training academies was combined with a train-the-trainer course at TADOC. The study tour provided ideas for the curriculum at the MVD's Interagency Counter-Narcotics Training Center. The study tour also introduced various computer-based training systems (CBT) that the UNODC program has installed in some law-enforcement training centers. The BGS requested CBT software for the border-guard field training centers renovated and equipped by INL. INL provided a language laboratory to the Military Institute. INL purchased 10 busters, nine of which will be used for drug detection on the border and one for training courses at the Military Institute. INL purchased 50 flashlights for inspection of vehicles and trains, and 25 video cameras for the BGS to document inspections, seizures, and arrests. ROAD AHEAD ¶64. INL will continue cooperation with the government of Kazakhstan to increase its counter-narcotics capacity. Post will continue to provide to operational staff training seminars on drug-courier profiling, use of newly-provided equipment, and new operations techniques. INL will continue its cooperation with the BGS and provide technical assistance to border checkpoints. STATISTICAL TABLES Drug Crop Cultivation Cannabis: Experts estimate that 145,000 metric tons of marijuana or as much as 6,000 tons of hashish could be produced annually in the Chu Valley. Drug seizures in kilograms: Heroin 2009 - 641.297; 2008 - 1,514.731; 2007 - 378.895 Opium 2009 - 95.3; 2008 - 14.01; 2007 - 197.29 Marijuana 2009 - 22,937; 2008 - 21,196; 2007 - 20,467 Hashish 2009 - 432.591; 2008 - 327.161; 2007 - 187.282 Registered Drug Users 53,883 CHEMICAL CONTROL ¶65. Kazakhstan complies with article 12 of the UN Convention against Illicit Trafficking of Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances, which provides that "the parties shall control substances frequently used in the illicit manufacture of narcotics drugs or psychotropic substances." The KBN established a special office on licensing the legal trade of precursor chemicals, psychotropic substances, and drugs. The office created a single unified register of the approximately 1,500 legal entities whose activity is related to the trade in chemical precursors. ¶66. Under current legislation, potassium permanganate and acetic anhydride are included in the list of precursor chemicals and are subject to state control. Acetic anhydride is not produced in Kazakhstan and is not imported onto its territory. Acetic anhydride has not been used in industry since 2005. ¶67. Kazakhstan annually conducts Operation Doping, during which authorities inspect legal entities for compliance with rules of storage, use, and destruction of drugs, psychotropic substances, and precursors. As a result, the MVD discovered 802 violations, opened 30 criminal cases, and seized 980 metric tons of precursor chemicals (hydrochloric and sulphuric acid),11,466 ampoules of drugs, and 59,000 ampoules of psychotropic substances. HOAGLAND