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International Narcotics Control Board: â€œThe southern Caucasus is increasingly being used as a transit area for consignments of opiates from Afghanistanâ€

03 March 2011 09:13 (UTC +04:00)

â€œGiven the long borders that countries of that subregion share with Iran (Islamic Republic of), the Russian Federation and Turkey and their access to the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, the Board remains
concerned that the situation with regard to drug trafficking and abuse in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia may continue to deteriorate unless increased attention is given to information-sharing, more efficient border control, drug demand reduction and regional and national coordination of drug control activitiesâ€.

It is noted in the report that the committeeâ€™s mission visited Azerbaijan in July of last year. Several measures have been taken in order to prevent smuggling in Azerbaijan, as well as border control had been strengthened: â€œNevertheless, Azerbaijan still remains as transit country in illegal drug smuggling. We call the government to promote the activity of law-enforcement bodies, regional cooperation and information exchangeâ€.

Moreover, the International Narcotics Control Board recommended to conduct investigation at the national level for studying the use level of drugs and prepare strategy connected with struggle against drugs. The report also notes that the amount of heroin seized in Azerbaijan increased by 63 per cent (from 144 kg to 235 kg).