Meeting Between the Russian Federal Drug Control Service

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 MOSCOW 000353 DEA SENSITIVE SIPDIS POST FOR DEA ONLY AMEMBASSY KABUL FOR DEA RD MARSAC, ARD BISHOP, SA DILLINGER, FIM HENDERSON AMEMBASSY ANKARA FOR DEA RD DESTITO, FIM LOGUE AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD FOR DEA ARD DUDLEY AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE FOR DEA CA CALDWELL AMEMBASSY TASHKENT FOR DEA CA MELINK DEA HQS FOR OGE/MENDOSA, SCHRETTNER DEA HQS FOR OSE/DISANTO, YASEVICH, SANCHEZ DEA HQS FOR NCT/CASTO DEA HQS FOR NCTE/UPP DEA HGS FOR NCI/BORDER DEA HQS FOR NCIE/LEHRER DEA HQS FOR SARI E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: DEAX SUBJECT: Meeting Between the Russian Federal Drug Control Service (FSKN) and the Afghan Counter Narcotics Police To Discuss Counter Narcotics Issues Related to Russia-Afghanistan; GFXI-10-0003/FSKN CCX: GFXI-10-9123/Afghanistan REF A: DEA Moscow CO TWX #00165 dated January 25, 2010 1.(SBU) Summary: On February 11, 2010, the DEA Moscow CO and Kabul CO organized a meeting between the Russian Federal Drug Control Service (FSKN) and the Afghan Counter Narcotics Police to discuss counter narcotics issues related to Russia-Afghanistan. The following topics were discussed: exchanging drug intelligence more frequently between the FSKN and Afghan Counter Narcotics Police, identifying the top 10 Afghan traffickers who are responsible for sending opiate shipments to Russia via the Northern Route, the possibilities of conducting International Controlled Deliveries (ICDs) from Afghanistan to Russia, the possibilities of posting additional FSKN liaison officers in the northern provinces of Afghanistan, and organizing case coordination meetings between Russia, Afghanistan, DEA, and Central Asian countries to target Northern Route Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTOs) more effectively. End Summary. 2.(SBU) Following the DEA Mid East Region's mini IDEC conference, which was held in Bucharest, Romania the DEA Moscow CO and Kabul CO organized a meeting on February 11, 2010, between the FSKN and the Afghan Counter Narcotics Police to discuss counter narcotics issues related to Russia-Afghanistan. The following individuals participated in the meeting: FSKN General Alexander Kirushev, First Deputy Head of Operations, FSKN Colonel Alexey Milovanov [FSKN liaison officer posted to Kabul, Afghanistan], FSKN Major Inga Mayke, Deputy Head of Enforcement, and Afghan Colonel Asadullah Babakarkhel, Commander of the Afghan Counter Narcotics Police. Also in attendance from the DEA were ARD John Dudley, Moscow CO CA Michael Nowacoski, and Kabul CO Acting GS Kelly Dillinger. 3.(SBU) General Kirushev began the discussions by explaining that Russia's main drug threat stems from Afghanistan and that approximately 90% of all the drug addicts in Russia are abusing Afghan opiates. General Kirushev described the Afghan drug threat as not only a threat for both Russia and Afghanistan but also a threat for numerous other countries, including the United States. 4.(SBU) General Kirushev stated that approximately one year ago, the Russian and Afghan governments signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to exchange drug intelligence and to conduct joint narcotics operations between their countries. As a result of this, the FSKN posted Colonel Milovanov as FSKN's liaison officer in Afghanistan. 5.(SBU) It is understood that since a majority of all the Afghan opiate shipments that are sent from Afghanistan to Russia transit through Central Asia (commonly referred to as the Northern Route), direct cooperation between the FSKN and Afghan Counter Narcotics Police may be difficult. Both the FSKN and the Afghan Counter Narcotics Police would like to utilize the DEA as a "common friend" to increase cooperation between each other in conducting joint investigations. 6.(SBU) Colonel Babakarkhel stated that approximately 60% of all Afghan opiates are transported to Russia via the Northern Route, and that this amount will probably increase due to the construction of a new highway leading into Tajikistan from Northern Afghanistan. 7.(SBU) General Kirushev and Colonel Babakarkhel both agreed that a way to increase cooperation between each country was to exchange drug intelligence more frequently between each agency. 8.(SBU) As a first step, General Kirushev provided Colonel Babakarkhel with two referral letters that identified individuals who may be involved in narcotics trafficking. In the first referral letter, the FSKN alleged that the following individuals may be involved in orchestrating the production and smuggling of Afghan opiates to Russia via Central Asian countries located along the MOSCOW 00000353 002 OF 005 Northern Route: Najib LNU; identified as an organizer of drug smuggling routes out of Tajikistan. Utilizes the following Tajik telephone numbers: 992-919-966622 and 992-919-940008. Taj Mohammad; identified as a drug recipient based in Tajikistan. Utilizes Tajik telephone number 992-919-966833. Nematullah LNU; identified as a drug recipient based in Tajikistan. Utilizes Tajik telephone number 992-919-235219. Abdul WOZUZ; identified as an organizer of drug shipments from Afghanistan to Tajikistan. Utilizes Tajik telephone number 992-919-326298. Jamal LNU; identified as an organizer of drug smuggling routes out of Tajikistan. Utilizes Tajik telephone number 992-919-335674. Aminullah LNU; identified as a drug distributor based in Tajikistan. Utilizes Tajik telephone number 992-919-225788. Abdulkhak LNU; identified as an organizer of drug shipments from Afghanistan to Tajikistan. Utilizes Tajik telephone number 992-919-64569. Abdulmatin LNU; identified as a drug distributor based in Tajikistan. Utilizes Tajik telephone number 992-919-60773. Kurbon LNU; identified as an organizer of drug shipments from Afghanistan to Tajikistan. Utilizes Tajik telephone number 992-919-60712. Shavgiz LNU; identified as an organizer of smuggling routes out of Tajikistan. Utilizes Tajik telephone number 992-919-40088. Mirzamin LNU; identified as a drug distributor based in Tajikistan. Utilizes Tajik telephone number 992-919-40889. Wahed LNU; identified as an organizer of drug shipments to Kazakhstan. Utilizes Tajik telephone number 992-919-40765. Hamed LNU; identified as an organizer of drug shipments from Afghanistan to Tajikistan. Utilizes Tajik telephone number 992-919-40765. Navid LNU; identified as an organizer of drug shipments from Afghanistan to Tajikistan. Utilizes Tajik telephone number 992-919-51123. Khan Zaman; identified as an organizer of drug shipments to Kazakhstan. Utilizes Tajik telephone number 992-919-50101. Agent's Note: The Moscow CO has submitted the above mentioned Tajik telephone numbers to SOD for further analysis via the DARTS system. The Moscow CO will verify with the FSKN if this information has already been shared with the Tajik Drug Control Agency (DCA). If not, the Moscow CO will request the Dushanbe CO to pass this information to the Tajik DCA for further investigation. 9.(SBU) The second referral letter from the FSKN alleged that the following individuals are also involved in orchestrating the production and smuggling of Afghan opiates to Russia via Central Asian countries located along the Northern Route: Madad DJAN; identified as a drug lab owner in Nangarhar Province. Utilizes Afghan telephone number 93-799002726. Nur RAHMAN; identified as the owner of multiple drug labs in Nangarhar Province. Utilizes Afghan telephone number 93-775329432. MOSCOW 00000353 003 OF 005 Gol BASHAR; identified as a drug distributor in Kabul. Utilizes Afghan telephone number 93-706099066. Abdul VALI; identified as the owner of multiple drug labs in Takhar Province. Utilizes Afghan telephone number 93-79692478. Haji RAHMAN; identified as a manager of a drug distribution network in Helmand Province. Utilizes Afghan telephone number 93-796104853. Haji HAKIM; identified as a transporter of narcotics to Tajikistan. Utilizes Afghan telephone number 93-795796028. Abdul DJABBAR; reportedly distributes drugs from Afghanistan to Tajikistan. Utilizes Afghan telephone number 93-79377492. Ali KHAIDAR; identified as a heroin distributor in Kabul. Utilizes Afghan telephone number 93-707412360. "Maftun" LNU; identified as the owner of several drug labs in Kabul. Utilizes Afghan telephone number 93-798212789. Haji RAKHIMULLA; identified as the owner of several large drug labs in Helmand Province. Utilizes Afghan telephone number 93-799379939. Haji HIKMATULLA; identified as a drug distributor based in Takhar Province. Utilizes Afghan telephone number 93-799204751. Agent's Note: On January 15, 2010, the FSKN provided the above mentioned information to the Moscow CO. For further details reference is made to REF A. The Moscow CO previously passed the above mentioned information to the Kabul CO for further investigation and submitted the above Afghan telephone numbers to SOD for further analysis. These names and telephone numbers have already been indexed. 10.(SBU) General Kirushev and Colonel Babakarkhel discussed the possibilities of the Afghan Counter Narcotics Police providing the identity of the top ten Afghan traffickers who are responsible for organizing shipments of Afghan opiates to Russia via the Northern Route in order that these individuals/DTOs could be more effectively targeted by Russian, Afghan, DEA, and Central Asian counterparts. The FSKN also requested the Afghan Counter Narcotics Police to share Central Asian telephone numbers, particularly Tajik telephone numbers that are identified in on-going investigations. The FSKN would then run these Central Asian telephone numbers in their own databases in an attempt to identify any contacts/connections to Russia. 11.(SBU) The FSKN inquired about the possibility of conducting International Controlled Deliveries (ICDs) from Afghanistan to Russia. It was learned that Afghan laws would permit ICDs to Russia. One possible way to generate direct ICDs to Russia would be focusing on the direct flights that operate between Kabul and Moscow. It was explained that the Kabul CO is attempting to initiate a new Afghan Airport Task Force Group with the Afghan Counter Narcotics Police, which could then be utilized in targeting the direct Kabul-Moscow flights for opiate shipments bound for Russia. 12.(SBU) In an effort to target Northern Route DTOs, Colonel Babakarkhel asked about the possibilities of the FSKN posting additional FSKN liaison officers in the northern provinces of Afghanistan. General Kirushev stated that he would pass this request to FSKN Director Viktor Ivanov. 13.(SBU) General Kirushev and Colonel Babakarkhel both agreed that case coordination meetings between Russia, Afghanistan, DEA, and Central Asian countries should be held more frequently and that the first meeting should occur after the IDEC Conference, scheduled for late April 2010 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. General Kirushev offered MOSCOW 00000353 004 OF 005 to research the date and venue for this first meeting. 14.(SBU) Acting GS Dillinger briefed the FSKN on DEA's and the Afghan Counter Narcotics Police's operations and capabilities. It was explained that the Afghan Counter Narcotics Police consists of the Sensitive Investigation Unit (SIU) and the National Interdiction Unit (NIU). 15.(SBU) The SIU consists of approximately 50 Afghan officers, which should be increased to approximately 100 Afghan officers by the end of 2010. Approximately 15 DEA agents support the SIU. The NIU consists of approximately 250 Afghan officers, which should be increased to 500 Afghan officers by the end of 2010. 16.(SBU) It was further explained that the DEA has approximately 5 agents posted in the Northern Afghan provinces, 6 agents posted in the Southern Afghan Provinces, 7 agents posted in the Eastern Afghan provinces, and 7 agents posted in the Western Afghan provinces. 17.(SBU) Acting GS Dillinger also provided a briefing on the Afghan Finance Threat Center (AFTC),the Foreign-deployed Advisory Support Teams (FAST),the Afghan telephonic intercept program, and the Major Crime Task Force. ¶18. (SBU) ACTION REQUEST FOR THE KABUL CO: Please request the Afghan Counter Narcotics Police to conduct background/criminal checks on the individuals that are identified in paragraph #8 in an attempt to verify if these individuals are involved in narcotics trafficking. Additionally, please run the Tajik telephones that are identified in paragraph #8 to determine if these telephone numbers are associated with any prior or current narcotics investigations conducted by the Kabul CO and Afghan counterparts. Please request the Afghan Counter Narcotics Police to identify the top 10 Afghan traffickers who are responsible for organizing shipments of Afghan opiates to Russia via the Northern Route so that these individuals/DTOs can be more effectively targeted by Russian, Afghan, DEA, and Central Asian counterparts. Please request the Afghan Counter Narcotics Police to share Central Asian telephone numbers that are identified in on-going investigations so that these telephone numbers can be checked in FSKN's databases in an attempt to identify any contacts to Russia. 19.(SBU) This cable was prepared by CA Michael Nowacoski in lieu of a DEA-6 per DEA Agent's Manual Section 6242.11. Please direct any questions or comments to CA Michael Nowacoski at 7-495-728-5218 or by Firebird e-mail. Please note that Moscow CO is 8 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. INDEXING ¶1. Najib LNU - NADDIS Negative. Further identified as a male; Telephone Numbers: 992-919-966622 and 992-919-940008. Remarks: Identified as an organizer of drug smuggling routes out of Tajikistan. ¶2. Taj Mohammad - NADDIS Negative. Further identified as a male; Telephone Number: 992-919-966833; Remarks: Identified as a drug recipient based in Tajikistan. ¶3. Nematullah LNU - NADDIS Negative. Further identified as male; Telephone Number: 992-919-235219; Remarks: Identified as a drug recipient based in Tajikistan. ¶4. WOZUZ, Abdul - NADDIS Negative. Further identified as a male; Telephone Numbers: 992-919-326298; Remarks: Identified as an organizer of drug shipments from Afghanistan to Tajikistan. MOSCOW 00000353 005 OF 005 ¶5. Jamal LNU - NADDIS Negative. Further identified as a male; Telephone Numbers: 992-919-335674; Remarks: Identified as an organizer of drug smuggling routes out of Tajikistan. ¶6. Aminullah LNU - NADDIS Negative. Further identified as a male; Telephone Number: 992-919-225788; Remarks: Identified as a drug distributor based in Tajikistan. ¶7. Abdulkhak LNU - NADDIS Negative. Further identified as a male; Telephone Number: 992-919-64569; Remarks: Identified as an organizer of drug shipments from Afghanistan to Tajikistan. ¶8. Abdulmatin LNU - NADDIS Negative. Further identified as a male; Telephone Number: 992-919-60773. Remarks: Identified as a drug distributor based in Tajikistan. ¶9. Kurbon LNU - NADDIS Negative. Further identified as a male; Telephone Number: 992-919-60712; Remarks: Identified as an organizer of drug shipments from Afghanistan to Tajikistan. ¶10. Shavgiz LNU - NADDIS Negative. Further identified as a male; Telephone Number: 992-919-40088; Remarks: Identified as an organizer of smuggling routes out of Tajikistan. ¶11. Mirzamin LNU - NADDIS Negative. Further identified as a male; Telephone Number: 992-919-40889; Remarks: Identified as a drug distributor based in Tajikistan. ¶12. Wahed LNU - NADDIS Negative. Further identified as a male; Telephone Number: 992-919-40765; Remarks: Identified as an organizer of drug shipments to Kazakhstan. ¶13. Hamed LNU - NADDIS Negative. Further identified as a male; Telephone Number: 992-919-40765; Remarks: Identified as an organizer of drug shipments from Afghanistan to Tajikistan. ¶14. Navid LNU - NADDIS Negative. Further identified as a male; Telephone Number: 992-919-51123; Remarks: Identified as an organizer of drug shipments from Afghanistan to Tajikistan. ¶15. Zaman, Khan - NADDIS Negative. Further identified as a male; Telephone Number: 992-919-50101; Remarks: Identified as an organizer of drug shipments to Kazakhstan. BERYLE