KYRGYZSTAN: 2009-2010 INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS

UNCLAS BISHKEK 001337

SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/CEN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR ASEC CIS KG KCMR PREL PGOV
SUBJECT: KYRGYZSTAN: 2009-2010 INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS
CONTROL STRATEGY REPORT (INCSR),PART I, DRUGS AND CHEMICAL
CONTROL

REF: STATE 97228


1. Following is Embassy Bishkek's submission for the
2009-2010 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report,
Part I, Drugs and Chemical Control.


2. Begin Text:

Kyrgyz Republic


I. Summary

The Kyrgyz Republic continues to have minimal internal
production of illicit narcotics or precursor chemicals, but
it is a major transit country for drugs originating in
Afghanistan and destined for markets in Russia, Western
Europe, and the United States. As in past years, experts
still estimate that 20 metric tons (20,000 kg) of narcotics
transit through the Kyrgyz Republic each year. The
Government of the Kyrgyz Republic attempts to combat drug
trafficking and prosecute offenders, but is constrained by
limited resources. The government has been supportive of
international and regional efforts to limit drug trafficking
and has supported major initiatives to address its own
domestic drug use problems.

The Government of the Kyrgyz Republic recognizes that the
drug trade is a serious threat to its own stability and is
continuing efforts to focus on secondary and tertiary
drug-related issues such as money laundering, drug-related
street crime and corruption within its own government. In
September 2009, the government implemented a series of
reforms that shifted counter-narcotics responsibilities to
the Ministry of Internal Affairs from the Drug Control
Agency. The Ministry of Internal Affairs is reviewing plans
for integrating Drug Control Agency personnel and equipment
into the ministry.

II. Status of Country

The Kyrgyz Republic borders China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and
Tajikistan. Mountainous terrain, poor road conditions, and an
inhospitable climate for much of the year make detection and
apprehension of drug traffickers difficult. Border stations
located on mountain passes on the Chinese and Tajik borders
are snow covered and unstaffed for up to four months of the
year. These isolated passes are some of the most heavily used
routes for drug traffickers. Government outposts and
interdiction forces rarely have electricity, running water or
modern amenities to support their counter-narcotics efforts.
The Kyrgyz Republic is one of the poorest countries in
Central Asia and does not have major natural resources or
significant industry. The south and southwest regions - the
Osh and Batken districts - are important trafficking routes
used for drug shipments from Afghanistan. The city of Osh, in
particular, is the main crossroads for road and air traffic
and a primary transfer point for narcotics into Uzbekistan
and Kazakhstan and on to markets in Russia, Western Europe
and the United States. The Kyrgyz Republic is not a major
producer of narcotics; however, cannabis, ephedra and poppy
grow wild in many areas. As of July 2009, there were no
active eradication activities planned for the plants that
grow wild.

III. Country Actions against Drugs in 2009

Policy Initiatives

Other than the reorganization of counter-narcotics
responsibilities to the Ministry of Internal Affairs from the
Drug Control Agency, there were no new policy initiatives in

2009.

Law Enforcement Efforts

Over the past year, the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic has
made a series of high profile drug seizures, culminating in
the single largest seizure of liquid heroin in the region.
In September 2009, the government reorganized key government
agencies and ministries, including the Drug Control Agency,
in an attempt to streamline government operations. The
Ministry of Internal Affairs and the government are reviewing
plans to integrate Drug Control Agency operations, equipment
and personnel into the ministry.

During the first half of 2009, the Government of the Kyrgyz
Republic increased the amount of seizures of major drugs
(Heroin, Opium and Hashish) compared to the same period in

2008. During the first six months of 2009, authorities
seized 179 kg of heroin, 118 kg of opium, and 285 kg of


hashish. Seizure data for the rest of 2009 are not yet
available.

Corruption

As a matter of policy, the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic
does not encourage or facilitate illicit production or
distribution of narcotic or psychotropic drugs or other
controlled substances, or the laundering of proceeds from
illegal drug transactions. Corruption remains a serious
problem and a deterrent to effective law enforcement efforts.
In 2008, four Kyrgyz law enforcement (Ministry of Internal
Affairs) officials were identified as participants in
narcotics trafficking in the Kyrgyz Republic. Criminal cases
against these individuals are still pending. The Drug
Control Agency possessed a relatively good reputation, and
its staff went through a thorough vetting procedure and
received substantial salary supplements from the UN/US
counter narcotics project. The MOBITS Units were also vetted
and received polygraph tests, as did all Drug Control Agency
agents.

Agreements and Treaties

The Kyrgyz Republic is a party to the 1988 UN Drug
Convention, the 1961 UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs,
as amended by the 1972 Protocol and the 1971 UN Convention on
Psychotropic Substances. The Kyrgyz Republic is also a party
to the UN Convention against Corruption and the UN Convention
against Transnational Crime and its Protocols on Trafficking
in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants.

Cultivation/Production

While there is no significant commercial production of drugs
in the Kyrgyz Republic, cannabis and ephedra grow wild over
wide areas, especially in the Chui valley region, and around
Lake Issyk-Kul. There was at least one substantial seizure
of locally-produced marijuana, which resulted in the
destruction of approximately 1,400 kilograms of marijuana.
During 2009, the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic did not
carry out eradication campaigns against illicit crops.

Drug Flow/Transit

Most of the opiates smuggled through Central Asia in 2009
entered the region through Tajikistan. The Kyrgyz Republic
represents the main conduit for onward smuggling. Over the
last few years, trafficking activities have remained steady
on the long and mountainous border between the Tajik Garm
region and Batken in Kyrgyz Republic. Onward smuggling
through the Kyrgyz Republic takes drugs mainly to the Uzbek
part of the Fergana valley, and across the Northern border
into Kazakhstan.

Domestic Programs/Demand Reduction

According to the 2009 national annual report on the
"Situation of Narcotics" published by the National Narcotics
Center, the number of illegal drug users increased from 83.4
per 100,000 population in 1998 to 172.5 per 100,000
population in 2008 in Kyrgyz Republic . The report's data
only includes illegal drug users that register with the
National Narcotics Center at the Ministry of Health and the
real number of addicts could be higher.

Existing economic problems and budget constraints limit the
ability of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic to address
effectively drug abuse and related HIV/AIDS problems. In
addition, insufficient funding is hampering prevention and
treatment programs and training of professional staff.
Programs providing treatment for drug users in Kyrgyz
Republic are conducted by state institutions in partnership
with civil sector organizations. UNODC also has a number of
drug treatment assistance programs in the Kyrgyz Republic.

Road Ahead

The Ministry of Interior is reviewing plans for integrating
Drug Control Agency personnel and equipment into the
ministry. As of January 31, 2010, the U.S. will end funding
of a U.S. Drug Enforcement agent on temporary duty at the
Drug Control Agency in Bishkek.
MEMMOTT