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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
Africa and the Middle East
JORDAN
I. Summary
Jordan neither produces nor consumes significant amounts of illicit drugs.
However, Jordan historically has been a transit country for illicit drugs
because of its geographical location between drug producing countries to the
north and drug consuming countries to the south and west. Although incidents
of illicit drug use have increased recently, drug abuse in Jordan is still
considered minor. The majority of trafficking in Jordan is in hashish,
although the Jordanian National Police have reported a significant decline in
the amount of hashish seized over the past three years. They attribute this
decline to the actions of Lebanese and Syrian counternarcotics authorities in
the eradication of hashish farms in southern Lebanon. Jordan is a party to
the 1998 UN Convention, enforces strict antidrug laws and continues to receive
cooperation from bordering states in narcotics interdiction efforts. Germany,
the UK and the US provide narcotics assistance to Jordan in the way of grants,
equipment and training.
II. Status of Country
The USG does not foresee significant changes in Jordan's minimal involvement
in narcotics production and trafficking in the near future. But Jordan is a
transit country for narcotics and is vulnerable to illicit drug smuggling
across its vast desert borders. Lack of manpower and equipment plague
Jordan's interdiction efforts. The peace treaty with Israel has led to
cooperation between the two countries in antinarcotics investigations;
however, the open borders and increased trade with Israel make Jordan more
attractive as a staging area for traffickers who supply illicit narcotics to
Israel. Jordan has benefitted from Syrian and Lebanese hashish eradication
efforts, but has seen an increase in the movement of Turkish heroin and
Captagon pills through Jordan. Jordan lacks a money laundering law which may
prove an attraction for drug traffickers in the region whose own countries
have adopted money laundering laws.
III. Country Action Against Drugs in 1996
Policy Initiatives. In April, the Public Security Directorate (PSD),
Jordan's national police, restructured the Antinarcotics and Counterfeiting
Bureau. The PSD created a separate Antinarcotics Unit (ANU) with the colonel
in charge of the former bureau remaining to head the ANU. The
responsibilities for counterfeiting investigations were absorbed by the
Criminal Investigations Division (CID). Although the division of the bureau
did not produce an increase in budget or personnel, the separation has enabled
officers in the new unit to focus exclusively on narcotics investigations.
- The PSD has initiated a campaign to randomly search vehicles on the
highways for illicit drugs.
- The PSD has opened new antinarcotics unit branches in the cities of Balqa
and Karak.
- The PSD commissioned the University of Jordan to undertake a comprehensive
study to evaluate the amount of illicit drug consumption in Jordan.
- The PSD assigned a narcotics liaison officer to the Jordanian Embassy in
Saudi Arabia to coordinate narcotics investigations with Saudi
counter-narcotics authorities.
Accomplishments. Jordanians are primarily concerned with the transiting of
illicit drugs through their country. In this regard, Jordan has worked
closely with bordering states in narcotics interdiction efforts. Jordan
maintains close relations in narcotics investigations with Syria, Lebanon,
Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Egypt and Israel. In 1996, Jordan established a narcotics
liaison office at its embassy in Saudi Arabia. It has also established a
working relationship between the PSD and Israel's Interpol representative for
narcotics investigations. A highlight in Syria-Jordan cooperation occurred in
August when the PSD, acting on information from Syrian authorities, seized
10.65 kgs of heroin and arrested two Syrians and one Turkish national in Amman
during a controlled-delivery operation.
Law Enforcement Efforts. The PSD is responsible for enforcing Jordan's
drug laws. The PSD seized more heroin in 1996 than in the previous five years
combined (over 60 kgs). The PSD attributes this to the increasing demand for
heroin in Israel. The PSD reported an increase in the amount of Captagon
(stimulants) pills seized in 1996 over 1995. These pills originate in Turkey
and are destined primarily for Saudi Arabia.
Corruption. The PSD reported no narcotics-related corruption investigations
during the year. There currently is no evidence to suggest that senior
Jordanian officials are involved in narcotics trafficking.
Agreements and Treaties. Jordan maintains antinarcotics agreements with
Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt. In 1996, Jordan entered
into bilateral agreements with Pakistan and Hungary which include
counternarcotics cooperation. Jordan and the US concluded an extradition
treaty in 1995. To date, there have been no drug-related extraditions.
Domestic Programs/Demand Reduction. Religious and social norms limit
the use of illegal drugs in Jordan. The PSD has initiated a program to
publicize all major drug seizures and arrests in an effort to deter
individuals from engaging in narcotics trafficking. The PSD and the Ministry
of Health continued their drug awareness program in public and private
schools, which educates children about the dangers of drug abuse.
IV. US Policy Initiatives and Programs
Policy Initiatives. The primary goal of US-Jordanian cooperation is the
creation of an effective Jordanian interdiction force. The US and Jordan
signed a letter of agreement (LOA) in 1996 which provides US-sponsored
narcotics investigation courses to the PSD. This training is tentatively
scheduled for April of 1997. The USG will encourage Jordan to pursue specific
legislation which would make money laundering a crime. In addition, US
officials will urge the PSD to work more closely with its desert police and
the customs department in narcotics interdiction efforts.
Bilateral Cooperation. The US and Jordan do not have a bilateral
narcotics agreement. However, DEA Cyprus and US Embassy officials enjoy a
close working relationship with Jordanian authorities on narcotics-related
matters.
The Road Ahead. The USG fully expects continued cooperation from Jordan in
antinarcotics efforts.
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