Azerbaijan`s achievements in fighting against drugs appraised

The US Department of State has released its 2012 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, in which it praises Azerbaijan`s achievements.

“The Ministry of Interior leads domestic counternarcotics efforts while the Ministry of National Security leads international counternarcotics operations. The State Border Service and State Customs Committee also play significant counternarcotics roles,” the report says.

“Azerbaijan was one of the first countries in the South Caucasus to become a party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention in 1993. Azerbaijan also started one of the first police units that specifically targeted drug trafficking in the region. During the past year, Azerbaijan has sought to develop and implement a regional approach to addressing drug trafficking by actively participating in multilateral organizations and bilateral agreements.”

“The government of Azerbaijan (GOAJ) continues an active role in the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Center (CARICC), which enhances the abilities of member states to combat the flow of illicit substances across the region. Azerbaijan continued its participation in the South Caucasus Integrated Border Management (SCIBM) program, primarily funded and implemented by the European Union and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). In October 2011, the State Customs Committee hosted an International Counternarcotics Conference which included representatives from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), CARICC, the World Customs Organization (WCO), and over two dozen country representatives. The event demonstrated high level GOAJ interest in counternarcotics and provided an opportunity for the DEA representatives in Ankara with responsibility for Azerbaijan to discuss cooperation with GOAJ counterparts,” US Department of State notes.

The report says: “Also during 2011, Azerbaijan began participating in the joint UNODC-WCO Container Control Program, the aim of which is to develop a network of border control cooperation units at various land and sea ports to stem the flow of drugs, precursors and other illegal goods. Azerbaijan is party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention. Azerbaijan also is a party to the UN Convention against Corruption, and to the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its three protocols.”

“Deputy Prime Minister and Chair of the State Committee for Anti-Narcotics Ali Hasanov stated to the press that in 2010, the Government seized 1,859 kg of illegal narcotics (1,200 kg by the Ministry of National Security, 359 kg by the State Border Service, and 300 kg by the State Customs Committee). In August 2011, Azerbaijani State Border Service Chief Elchin Guliyev expressed satisfaction that Azerbaijani border control has seen improved results despite the growth of attempts to traffic drugs through Azerbaijan in recent years. The infrastructure for border protection in Azerbaijan has been significantly improved by GOA efforts and by the U.S. Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) program.”

The US Department of State says: “The GOAJ has demonstrated sustained interest in enhanced border control through joint initiatives with the U.S. and other international partners. Azerbaijan has worked closely with U.S. agencies to deploy new technology and to train and equip the appropriate government personnel to better secure its land and sea borders. The State Border Service Coast Guard (SBS-CG) and the Navy of Azerbaijan continue to improve their ability to control Azerbaijani territorial waters through surveillance and interdiction assistance provided by the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). Azerbaijan`s continued active participation in the CARICC and SCIBM programs further helps address regional narcotics trafficking activities.”


/AzerTAc/