1 6th Meeting of members of the MOU on Sub-Regional Drug Control Cooperation Moscow December 2004 Combating the traffic in heroin from Central Asia Vitali Mikeladze – coordinator, enforcement programmes, World Customs Organisation
2 WCO Report “Customs and Drugs 2003” 90% of the opiates for Europe are estimated to come from Afghanistane More intensive use of the Silk Road It’s now through the states of Central Asia and the Russian Federation that heroin transit on its way to Western Europe
3 WCO Report “Customs and Drugs 2003” The quantity seized in freight consignments tripled, while the number of detections remained stable at 13 cases. Biggest seizure made in a freight consignment (329 kg) The quantity seized in freight consignments tripled, while the number of detections remained stable at 13 cases. Biggest seizure made in a freight consignment (329 kg)..
– UNODC : “Paris Pact” 2004 – WCO: New approach to combat the traffic in heroin from Central Asia to Western Europe
5 WCO – A NEW APPROACH ILLEGAL TRAFFIC FOLLOWS LEGAL TRAFFIC, LEGAL ROADS Identification of main trade routes crossing points and strategically important Customs posts – basis for future intervention
6 AFGHANISTAN
7 » Program » of the WCO : « A NEW APPROACH »
8 “DOORS” Northern Routs: 13 (the Russian Federation) Central Routs: 8 (Georgia, Russian Federation,Turkey) Southern Routs: 2 (United Arab Emirates) Rail Routes: 12 ((Georgia,Russian Federation, Turkey)
9 Capacity building Field studies Fact finding missions
10 Operation “Tamerlane” Surveillance of the westbound traffic System to exchange, verify, evaluate information Risk assessment mechanizms Enhanced border controls Investigative measures National-international co-operation
11 WCO’s Global RILO Network
12 RILO CIS Central Asian NCPs Link to the Internet Smooth and timely flow of the data from the point of seizure to NCP
13 Thank you for your attention