Drug addiction on the rise in Azerbaijan - US State Dept.
The number of drug addicts and the growing problem
of narcotics in Azerbaijan increased in 2007-2008, the US State
Department has alleged in a report.
The drugs widely spread in the South Caucasus republic include heroin, hashish, ecstasy and cocaine. Although there are 21,000 drug addicts in the country, according to official figures, informal data puts the number at over 200,000, with 30-35 per cent of the drug users being students. The increase in the rate of narcotics use has recently been observed among women and underage persons as well, according to the 2009 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR).
Azerbaijan is participating in the European Commission`s South Caucasus program on fighting drugs, and local law enforcement agencies are working to bring their efforts in this area into compliance with European standards within this framework. During 10 months in 2008 alone, over 1.5 tons of heroin were impounded, with a lion`s share of the volume confiscated on the border with Iran. The 611-km border between the two countries has allowed Iranian drug traffickers to transport drugs through Azerbaijan`s territory.
Drugs are mainly smuggled into Azerbaijan through Central Asia along the Caspian Sea or from Iran by road. Another route connects Iran with the Armenia-occupied Upper Garabagh region of Azerbaijan.
Over 2,500 drug-related crimes were registered in Azerbaijan in 2008. According to the State Commission against Drug Addiction and Illegal Circulation of Narcotic Substances, more than 900 of these crimes involved the sale of drugs, while 1,400 were for drug possession, and over 90 dealt with the growing of narcotics.
The second part of the report covers cases of money laundering. The report claims that corruption is rife and there are organized crime groups in the country. It also cited what it called a lack of proper legislation regarding the battle against money laundering, saying a draft law that has been developed is not in line with international standards. According to the State Department, no law that imposes prosecution for money laundering has been put in place in Azerbaijan so far, and only private individuals could be held accountable for such offenses. Therefore, legal entities engaged in financing terrorists and committing money laundering crimes are able to escape responsibility. Azerbaijani authorities recognize terrorism funding as a crime but this covers a narrow scope, the State Department claimed.
It further said the government should step up measures aimed at fighting money laundering, terrorists and their financiers, close down bank accounts suspected of being linked to terrorists and improve laws to combat this.
The drugs widely spread in the South Caucasus republic include heroin, hashish, ecstasy and cocaine. Although there are 21,000 drug addicts in the country, according to official figures, informal data puts the number at over 200,000, with 30-35 per cent of the drug users being students. The increase in the rate of narcotics use has recently been observed among women and underage persons as well, according to the 2009 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR).
Azerbaijan is participating in the European Commission`s South Caucasus program on fighting drugs, and local law enforcement agencies are working to bring their efforts in this area into compliance with European standards within this framework. During 10 months in 2008 alone, over 1.5 tons of heroin were impounded, with a lion`s share of the volume confiscated on the border with Iran. The 611-km border between the two countries has allowed Iranian drug traffickers to transport drugs through Azerbaijan`s territory.
Drugs are mainly smuggled into Azerbaijan through Central Asia along the Caspian Sea or from Iran by road. Another route connects Iran with the Armenia-occupied Upper Garabagh region of Azerbaijan.
Over 2,500 drug-related crimes were registered in Azerbaijan in 2008. According to the State Commission against Drug Addiction and Illegal Circulation of Narcotic Substances, more than 900 of these crimes involved the sale of drugs, while 1,400 were for drug possession, and over 90 dealt with the growing of narcotics.
The second part of the report covers cases of money laundering. The report claims that corruption is rife and there are organized crime groups in the country. It also cited what it called a lack of proper legislation regarding the battle against money laundering, saying a draft law that has been developed is not in line with international standards. According to the State Department, no law that imposes prosecution for money laundering has been put in place in Azerbaijan so far, and only private individuals could be held accountable for such offenses. Therefore, legal entities engaged in financing terrorists and committing money laundering crimes are able to escape responsibility. Azerbaijani authorities recognize terrorism funding as a crime but this covers a narrow scope, the State Department claimed.
It further said the government should step up measures aimed at fighting money laundering, terrorists and their financiers, close down bank accounts suspected of being linked to terrorists and improve laws to combat this.
Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention.
Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis.
By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more.
Subscribe
You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper
Thank you!