1. Presentation by Kairat Osmonaliev
Illicit Drug Trafficking
in Central Asia
Presentation by Kairat Osmonaliev
PhD in Jurisprudence

2. General Information
All countries of Central Asia have became transit countries for Afghan drugs
Climatic conditions in Central Asian countries are, in principle, favorable for the growth of opium poppy which are illicitly cultivated on small individual plots. Kyrgyzstan, for instance, prior to 1974 was one of the world’s largest suppliers of licit opium. There are also huge stocks of wild growing cannabis

3. Wild Growth of Narcotic Crops in Central Asia
Wild growth of cannabis is mainly concentrated to Kazakhstan and the rest in Kyrgyzstan. The area of wild growth of cannabis in Kazakhstan covers more than 140,000 ha
There is an extensive growth of ephedra, the main precursor to manufacture methamphetamine and methcathinone. Some 88,200 ha of ephedra were identified in Kazakhstan, 46,400 ha - in Kyrgyzstan, and 3,500 ha - in Tajikistan.

4. Drug Routes of Afghan Drugs
There are three main routes for transportation of drugs from Afghanistan:
“Southern route” passes through the territory of Pakistan (around 40 % of Afghan drugs)
“Western Route” goes from Iran to Turkey and then to Western Europe (“Balkan Route”) – 35 %
“Northern Route” (or “Silk Route”) through countries of Central Asian region to Russia and then to Europe– 25 % (15 % through Turkmenistan).

5. - Weakening of state drug control system in Central Asian countries
Factors Enhancing the Role of the «Northern» Route in Afghan Illicit Drug Trafficking
- New international geopolitical and geo-economic situation in the region of Central Asia
- Weakening of state drug control system in Central Asian countries
Active and hard-edged struggle of Iran against drug trafficking («Balkan» route is becoming more dangerous for drug traffickers)

6. Factors Enhancing the Role of the
Factors Enhancing the Role of the «Northern» Route in Afghan Illicit Drug Trafficking (contd)
Increase of corruption as the main element of illicit drug trafficking
Involvement of Islamic extremists in drug trafficking activities
Integration of organized criminal groups dealing with illicit drug trafficking into international criminal system in Central Asia
Huge local stocks of narcotics

7. Main Drug Trafficking Routes

8. Heroin Routes
…to Europe
from Afghanistan…

9. Kyrgyzstan: Routes and Opiates Prices
5,000$
10,000$
The slide shows why Kyrgyzstan is a hotspot for drug trafficking. (click) There are three main routes from Tajikistan into Kyrgyzstan: via the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region, via the Garm region, and from the northern Soghd province. (click)
As you can see, all of these routes lead into the Osh and Batken Oblasts in Southern Kyrgyzstan. (click) By far the largest part of all opiates seized in Kyrgyzstan are found in these two Oblasts. (click) From Kyrgyzstan, drugs are trafficked onward to the Uzbek part of the Ferghana Valley, and to Kazakhstan. (click)
What makes trafficking through Kyrgyzstan attractive? – The most important reason are the large profits that can be made by taking opiates through the territory of the country. I will show you two examples. (click)
This is an example of the difference between prices of high-purity heroin in the Tajik Khatlon province and the Uzbek part of the Ferghana valley. (click) And this is the price difference for low-quality heroin between the Southern parts of Tajikistan and southern Kazakhstan. – As you see, the profit rate is very considerable. (click)
Hopes of profits have fuelled the increase in the drug flow. This is reflected in the dramatic rise of opiates seizures.
5,800$
1,500$
1,300$

10. Drug Seizures in Central Asia

11. Proportion of Seized Drugs in Tajikistan (1996-2003)

12. Seizures of Opiates in Central Asia
Seized Heroin and Opium
Republic of Tajikistan
Other Central Asian States

13. Legal Framework and Mechanisms of Cooperation in Central Asia
All countries of the region signed Memorandum on mutual understanding and cooperation in the sphere of drug control in 1996
Corresponding Agreement on cooperation in the sphere of drug counteraction is in effect among Central Asia countries since 1999
International State Commission on Drug Control in Central Asia Community was established in 1999

14. Cooperation of Law Enforcement Agencies of Central Asia in Suppression of Illicit Drug Trafficking
Interaction between law-enforcement agencies of CA countries is improving (transborder cooperation mechanisms are being developed, controlled deliveries are being conducted, joint special operations on drug trafficking interception are being fulfilled)
Low level of the existing interaction (non-operational system of drug liaison officers, inactive and formal exchange of information)

15. Role of the International Organizations in the Counteraction to Drug Trafficking in Central Asia
Establishment of the “Security Belt” around Afghanistan by efforts of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (establishment of the Drug Control Agency in Tajikistan in 1999, the Drug Control Agency in Kyrgyzstan in 2003), Implementations of Regional UN ODC Projects on strengthening control of drugs and precursors circulation
Implementation of projects funded by EU Commission (CADAP, NADIN)

16. Conclusions
Illicit drug trafficking is one of the main threats to stability, democracy, security and development of newly established countries of Central Asia that have limited resources to fight drug trade
Strengthening democratic state power in Afghanistan should help solve problem of eliminating illicit drug cultivation
International cooperation is an important condition for successful suppression of drug trafficking in Central Asia, including involving Turkmenistan in active anti-drug cooperation