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State Department: Armenia not a major drug-producing country
March 9, 2013 - 18:48 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia is not a major drug-producing country, and
domestic abuse of drugs is modest, Department of State's 2013
International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR).
`Because Armenia is landlocked and the two longest of its four borders
(with Turkey and Azerbaijan) are closed, the resulting limited
transport options make the country less attractive for drug
trafficking. With assistance from the United States and European
Union, Armenia continues to develop and implement an integrated border
management regime, improving its ability to detect illegal narcotics
shipments. In addition, in July 2012, the United States provided
narcotics interdiction training at Yerevan's international airport and
bus station.
The most common illicit drug in Armenia is marijuana, most of which is
grown locally. Both marijuana and poppies grow in the wild, and the
government sponsors an annual eradication event in August. In 2012, a
combined total of nearly 82 metric tons were destroyed.
Narcotics seizures declined overall in 2012. Police credit the arrest
and dismantlement of several trafficking rings in late 2011 and early
2012 as the reason for the decrease. According to police, the
overwhelming majority of illicit drug imports are opiates originating
from Afghanistan transiting through Iran, with a smaller volume
entering from Turkey via Georgia (as the Turkish border is closed to
all traffic). In October, a large seizure occurred on the Iranian
border at the Meghri crossing, when opium was discovered in a
false-bottomed suitcase.
A new smuggling trend along the Iranian border involves plastic balls
with light-emitting diodes attached: the balls are thrown across the
Arax River at night, with opiates going one way (into Armenia) and
payment going the other (into Iran). In addition, authorities have
seized smaller quantities of the synthetic opioid buprenorphine from
flights originating in France and from parcels mailed from France and
Spain. In the past, amphetamines were trafficked from Iran to Europe
via Armenia, but this transit appears to have diminished significantly
following a major bust. Precursor chemicals are strictly regulated and
industrial users must provide status reports every three months,' the
report reads.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
March 9, 2013 - 18:48 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia is not a major drug-producing country, and
domestic abuse of drugs is modest, Department of State's 2013
International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR).
`Because Armenia is landlocked and the two longest of its four borders
(with Turkey and Azerbaijan) are closed, the resulting limited
transport options make the country less attractive for drug
trafficking. With assistance from the United States and European
Union, Armenia continues to develop and implement an integrated border
management regime, improving its ability to detect illegal narcotics
shipments. In addition, in July 2012, the United States provided
narcotics interdiction training at Yerevan's international airport and
bus station.
The most common illicit drug in Armenia is marijuana, most of which is
grown locally. Both marijuana and poppies grow in the wild, and the
government sponsors an annual eradication event in August. In 2012, a
combined total of nearly 82 metric tons were destroyed.
Narcotics seizures declined overall in 2012. Police credit the arrest
and dismantlement of several trafficking rings in late 2011 and early
2012 as the reason for the decrease. According to police, the
overwhelming majority of illicit drug imports are opiates originating
from Afghanistan transiting through Iran, with a smaller volume
entering from Turkey via Georgia (as the Turkish border is closed to
all traffic). In October, a large seizure occurred on the Iranian
border at the Meghri crossing, when opium was discovered in a
false-bottomed suitcase.
A new smuggling trend along the Iranian border involves plastic balls
with light-emitting diodes attached: the balls are thrown across the
Arax River at night, with opiates going one way (into Armenia) and
payment going the other (into Iran). In addition, authorities have
seized smaller quantities of the synthetic opioid buprenorphine from
flights originating in France and from parcels mailed from France and
Spain. In the past, amphetamines were trafficked from Iran to Europe
via Armenia, but this transit appears to have diminished significantly
following a major bust. Precursor chemicals are strictly regulated and
industrial users must provide status reports every three months,' the
report reads.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress