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U.S. Department of State
1996 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, March 1997

United States Department of State

Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs


MOLDOVA

I. Summary

Moldova takes seriously its obligations under the 1988 UN Convention to counter illegal narcotics, but its critical budgetary problems limit government activities in this field. While neither a major narcotics producing country nor a money laundering center, precursor chemicals and narcotics transit Moldova on their way to final destinations in Central Asia and Western Europe, respectively. Despite the country's budgetary constraints, the Government of Moldova continues to make efforts to control its narcotics problems. With USG support, the country's performance can be expected to improve further.

II. Status of Country

Moldova is not a major narcotics or precursor chemical producing country. Money laundering is also not a major problem, given Moldova's under-developed financial sector. However, Moldova is being used as a transshipment country for narcotics from, and precursor chemicals to, Central Asia. Domestically, Moldova's low per capita income effectively discourages the widespread consumption of imported drugs.

III. Country Actions Against Drugs in 1996

Policy Initiatives. In 1996, Moldova signed a Narcotics Cooperation Agreement with the US, and the USG began financial assistance.

Accomplishments. The Government of Moldova carried out, within its resource constraints, effective narcotics enforcement activities in accordance with its obligations under the 1988 UN Convention and other international narcotics agreements to which Moldova is party. Cooperation between Moldovan and foreign law enforcement agencies increased significantly with Moldova's entry into Interpol. Moldovan antinarcotics efforts should continue without disruption under the newly elected President Petru Lucinschi and his government.

Law Enforcement Efforts. During the nine-month period ending September 1996, authorities seized 3.9 mt of poppy straw, 10.5 kgs of raw opium, 1.2 kgs opium mixed with acetyl, 0.09 kgs of heroin, 230 kgs of marijuana, and 3 kgs of hashish. Government eradication efforts during the same period resulted in the destruction of 20 hectares of opium poppy and 10 hectares of hemp. Government authorities also seized 4,000 ephedrine tablets, 0.15 kgs of ephedrine, 0.10 kgs of amphetamines, 0.05 kgs of cocaine, and 1,000 codeine phosphate tablets. These results were obtained primarily by a small, dedicated, but underfunded drug squad, whose effectiveness should be enhanced by equipment being purchased with USG funds (see below).

Corruption. Moldova has no laws dealing specifically with narcotics-related corruption, and there were no reports of such corruption in 1996. However, given Moldova's location along transit routes for drugs and chemicals, and the low incomes of its border control and police officials, bribes by traffickers to police and customs officials are a danger.

Agreements and Treaties. In addition to the 1988 UN Convention, Moldova is a party to the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotics, the 1972 Protocol, and the 1972 Convention on Psychotropic Substances.

Cultivation/Production. The major locally produced illegal substance is hemp (cannabis), originally introduced for rope making. While legal hemp production was eliminated 50 years ago, high-quality hemp grows as a weed throughout Moldova. Local specialists believe that the extensive spread of wild hemp makes the complete eradication of the plant unlikely. No reliable production estimates are available. Criminal elements, especially among a minority ethnic group in the northern part of the country, have exploited the ready availability of hemp. Other locally produced substances include opium poppy and synthetic and semi-synthetic drugs such as ephedrine, pervitine, omnopone, and methadone. However, neither hemp nor any of these substances is exported in significant quantities.

Drug Flow/Transit. Law enforcement agencies have detected illegal shipments of central Asian heroin and some cocaine, of uncertain source, transiting Moldova en route from Russia primarily to European countries. Other information suggests that precursor chemicals are moving in the opposite direction. While the problem is real, current information is too sketchy to measure trends.

Domestic Programs (Demand Reduction). No reliable data exist on the addict population, but Moldova's low per capita income ($400/year) effectively discourages widespread use of imported drugs. Anecdotal evidence and personal observations suggest, moreover, that drug addiction does not constitute a major public health problem. For this reason, and given pressing resource constraints, demand reduction programs are not a government priority.

IV. U.S. Policy Initiatives and Programs

Policy Initiatives. USG assistance is aimed primarily at enhancing the ability of the Moldovan drug squad and Moldovan customs to interdict international narcotics shipments.

Bilateral Cooperation. In 1996, Moldova signed a Narcotics Cooperation Agreement and received $50,000 in USG funds for the purchase of equipment for use by Moldovan agencies involved in combating the production, processing, trafficking and consumption of narcotics. In addition, US Customs agents conducted a course designed to help improve border control techniques to detect illegal international shipments of narcotics. The USG's relations with counternarcotics enforcement officials is excellent. Officials in key Moldovan counternarcotics agencies are keen to cooperate and eager for assistance, particularly training and equipment.

The Road Ahead. The effectiveness of Moldova's continued counternarcotics efforts will be affected to a large extent by continued USG funding, support, and guidance. The commitment of tangible USG resources could make a significant difference in the government's ability to counter the narcotics problem effectively. Without outside assistance, continuing resource problems will impede the government's activities in this area.

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