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

OTHER AFRICA AND MIDDLE EAST

Ethiopia. Addis Ababa is a regional air hub, and the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (GFDRE) believes that significant amounts of Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin move through Bole International Airport. The heroin is routed through Addis Ababa from Mumbai, Karachi and Bangkok, often passing through Dubai or Dhaka en route to Addis Ababa. Nigerian smuggling rings are believed to have the largest role in the heroin trafficking and courier control. After arrival in Addis Ababa, the couriers move westward to Lagos and Lome. All narcotic seizures in 1996 were en route to West African destinations. To date, no narcotics have been seized on a direct flight from Addis Ababa to Europe or South Africa. Ethiopia is a party to the 1988 UN Convention and all previous UN drug conventions. The GFDRE has taken a strong and moderately successful stance against narcotics smuggling. In 1995, the Ethiopian Counter-Narcotics Unit (ECNU) detained only 12 suspects and seized 2.86 kgs of heroin and 152 gms of cannabis. However, in 1996, authorities detained a total of 59 suspects for trafficking and seized 67 kgs of heroin. Of the 59 detainees, 38 were Nigerian, 13 were Tanzanian, 5 were Togolese and 2 were Ghanaian.

In late September, the Ethiopian Parliament began the process of reviewing counternarcotics legislation. Ethiopia does not have a significant domestic narcotics consumption problem. At the request of the USG, the GFDRE has taken a leading role in narcotics interdiction efforts in East Africa. US Embassy officials and the DEA regional attache have spent a considerable amount of time with ECNU agents, teaching them some of the basic profiling techniques, law enforcement procedures and investigative and narcotics interdiction operations. Other US training efforts in 1996 included two USAF narcotic-dog trainers, who re-certified and assisted the fledgling ECNU dog unit, and a DEA-sponsored regional drug enforcement seminar.

Liberia. Liberia is a nation caught in the throes of a protracted civil war; it has a failing economy, diminishing social services, an impaired and tarnished civil administration and a nearly-bankrupt government. Furthermore, the inability to police its porous borders makes Liberia an inviting target for the transshipment of controlled substances. The Provisional Government of Liberia (PGOL) ratified the 1988 UN Convention in June 1995, but is still in the process of acceding formally with the UN. The Government also established the National Inter-Ministerial Drug Committee (NIDC) in 1995 and tasked it with coordinating multi-agency efforts to stem the sale and cultivation of drugs in Liberia. The US provided $30,000 in antinarcotics assistance used to train and equip 38 officers of the Liberian National Police (LNP) Anti-Narcotics Unit, the primary enforcement arm of the NIDC. As a result, drug-related arrests and seizures increased as the LNP fielded its first fully functional Anti-Narcotics Unit in nearly seven years.

This success story was short lived, however, as renewed factional violence erupted in Monrovia in April. All equipment and nearly all records were looted or destroyed. Government coffers, controlled by faction leaders, are insufficient to replace basic police infrastructure, let alone equip a specialized unit. While fighting has ceased in Monrovia, factional clashes continued in some areas of the country during most of the year. Disarmament of factional fighters began in November, and by January 31 1997, roughly 20,000 of these fighters had turned in their weapons. Currently, a dedicated and determined group of professional police officers have returned to their gutted headquarters building; among them are remnants of the Anti-Narcotics Unit, who continue to make drug-related arrests despite the absence of proper equipment or a functioning judiciary.

Mozambique. In recent years, Mozambique has emerged as a significant and growing transshipment point for narcotics (primarily Mandrax and hashish, but also cocaine) destined for the South African and European markets. The country's drug trade appears to be tied in part to regional arms trafficking and stolen vehicle syndicates and is facilitated by Mozambique's extensive transportation links to neighboring countries. Although marijuana is cultivated widely, particularly in the northern part of the country, and its consumption is deeply embedded in rural culture, Mozambique does not have a serious domestic drug abuse problem.

The Government of the Republic of Mozambique's (GRM) law enforcement agencies and the judiciary have proven largely ineffective in stemming the growing tide of drug trafficking, both as a result of inadequate human and material resources and of corruption. The most significant progress on the narcotics-control front in 1996 resulted from the initiatives of a bipartisan group of National Assembly deputies. These deputies were able to get the 1988 UN Convention passed by the Assembly, and later introduced legislation strengthening the country's drug laws and calling for the creation of a Central Drug Control Office. Though the country is not yet a party to the 1988 UN Convention, this legislation has been approved by the Assembly and, in January of 1997, was prepared to go to the President for his signature.

Seychelles. The Republic of the Seychelles, lying off the eastern coast of Africa, is an archipelago with a population of approximately 75,000. Although neither a significant producer nor consumer of illicit narcotics, the Seychelles attracted international attention in 1995 when Parliament approved the Economic Development Act. The Act would have been an invitation to money launderers, as it offered large-scale investors a no-questions-asked opportunity to deposit proceeds from any source, as well as protection against international requests for extradition and asset seizures. In response to international concerns, the Government of the Seychelles decided in 1996 not to implement the Act. There is currently no evidence of substantial money laundering in the Seychelles, but the US and others are monitoring the situation. Seychelles is a party to the 1988 UN Convention.

Swaziland. Swaziland is neither a major producer nor consumer of illegal drugs. Local production consists of a marijuana cash crop, which is largely consumed within the country, though some of it is exported to South Africa. Swaziland's limited enforcement capabilities, advantageous location, small size and relatively low profile make it an inviting target for international drug trafficking organizations. The Royal Swaziland Police's 15-man antinarcotics unit is aware of the threat, but lacks sufficient training and equipment to interdict drug shipments, although it recently scored some successes in its operations. Swaziland welcomes regional initiatives and cooperation, especially with South Africa. The US provided Swaziland some secure radios and customs training last year; US officials are now helping local authorities address the challenges of demand reduction. Swaziland became a party to the 1988 UN Convention in October 1995.

Togo. Togo currently appears to be a staging point for drug shipments bound for Europe and the US, although there is insufficient evidence to clearly document either case. According to Government of Togo reports, cocaine, hashish and heroin transit the country. The cocaine and heroin trade is controlled by resident Nigerian nationals. The hashish trade is controlled by Gambians, Togolese and Ghanaians. Togolese seizures are haphazard at best, with only minor traffickers being arrested. There are allegations of laundering drug money against several local businesses. Togo is a signatory to the 1961 and 1971 UN conventions and the 1972 Protocol, as well as to the 1988 UN Convention. That said, the government lacks the will to crack down on drug trafficking in Togo; corruption is considered a price of doing business. All of these factors make Togo vulnerable to the numerous West African narcotics dealers and traffickers operating within its borders.

United Arab Emirates. Due to its free trade zone at Jebel Ali, strategic location and development as a major regional transportation hub, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become a transshipment point for both narcotics and precursor chemicals. In addition, because of its importance as a regional financial center and its lack of effective banking controls, the UAE is an attractive venue for money laundering. The UAE Government takes a firm stance against narcotics use and trafficking within its own national territory. During fall 1996, the UAE Coast Guard created a special Counter-Narcotics Division which began patrols in the Gulf, specifically to interdict narcotics shipments brought across the Gulf to the UAE on smaller vessels such as dhows, fishing boats and motor launches. Also during late 1996, the Ministry of Interior CID established an investigative office to address money laundering matters. The President of the UAE signed into effect a National Drug Law requiring a mandatory death penalty for convicted drug traffickers and assigned a special court in Abu Dhabi as responsible for hearing only drug-related cases. This new law also increased the sentences for drug possession and use.

The UAE is a party to the 1988 UN Convention. The UAE is not a party to any bilateral counternarcotics agreements, nor does it have an extradition treaty with the US. Despite this, UAE police officials do enforce Interpol international warrants for the arrest of persons fleeing narcotics charges if specific procedures are followed in accordance with the Abu Dhabi and Dubai Attorneys General and there is full disclosure of the evidence supporting the warrant. The UAE Government cooperates fully with international requests for information and assistance.

Zambia. Although the overall amount of drugs seized in Zambia increased during 1996, the country is a relatively small producer and consumer of drugs. Zambia's location, where southern, eastern, and central Africa meet, makes it a prime transit point for Mandrax (methaqualone) from India destined for South Africa. Zambian Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) officials believe drug traffickers take advantage of Zambia's strategic placement on major transit routes to ship South American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin to Europe and South Africa. The cocaine originates in Bolivia and arrives in Zambia via Sao Paulo, Brazil and Luanda, Angola. The Bank of Zambia (BOZ) and the DEC are concerned that money laundering is rampant in the banking industry. Proposals to tighten banking standards await legislative action in 1997.

The Zambian Government publicly denounces drug trafficking and supports the ongoing efforts of the autonomous DEC, which functions independently within the Ministry of Home Affairs. DEC's efforts to implement the National Anti-Narcotics Plan are hampered by inadequate financial and technical resources. The DEC receives full cooperation from the office of the public prosecutor, who gives priority treatment to drug trafficking cases. The DEC used strengthened narcotics laws during 1996 to confiscate the property of traffickers. The head of the DEC collaborates with his counterparts in the sub-region, especially within the Southern African Development Community (SADC), to improve regional anti-trafficking efforts. Zambia ratified the 1988 UN Convention in 1993.

Zimbabwe Though it is not an export producer of any illicit drug, Zimbabwe's well-developed infrastructure, combined with its porous borders, continues to make it an attractive drug transshipment point for Malawian cannabis, as well as for narcotics from the sub-continent destined for South Africa and Europe. Heroin, Mandrax, MDMA (ecstasy) and methamphetamines are increasingly available locally, but marijuana is still the only drug in widespread domestic use. Zimbabwean law enforcement efforts in the past year have had limited success. Zimbabwe is a party to the 1961 UN Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the 1971 Convention on Psycotropic Substances and the 1988 UN Convention. Zimbabwe signed a technical counter-narcotics cooperation agreement with the US in 1993.

Zimbabwe does not have a national drug policy. The National Council for Drugs and Alcohol, tasked with drafting a national policy, has not received high-level attention. Law enforcement rests on piecemeal amendments to 40 year-old Rhodesian legislation. A Southern Africa Development Community (SADC)-sponsored Regional Protocol on Drug Control and the establishment of an expanded Interpol office in Harare hold long-term promise for cross-border interdiction efforts. Internally, the small, highly motivated drug squad of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) works effectively at the street level. The Zimbabwean Customs Service, inadequately equipped and susceptible to bribery, creates few obstacles for regional drug syndicates. The US has provided training and equipment in recent years; efforts in 1996 included forensic and case management courses in the US, as well as DEA assistance in the formation of a police drug intelligence unit in Zimbabwe. The two governments are negotiating an extradition treaty.

Benin. In recent years Benin has experienced increasing problems due to drug trafficking. Because of its proximity to Nigeria and its lack of resources to fight traffickers, Benin is used more frequently as a transit platform for Nigerian traffickers smuggling narcotics destined to Europe and, less significantly, the US. Beninese authorities have a keen awareness of the problem and have sought to limit trafficking, but they are severely limited by a lack of resources and by an antiquated legal code. A new development in 1996 is that Government of Benin (GOB) authorities are now seeing crack cocaine in Benin, as well as increased consumption of drugs other than marijuana. Benin has not adopted the 1988 UN Convention, but is a party to the 1961 and 1971 conventions and the 1972 Protocol. The GOB signed a 1995 Letter of Agreement (LOA) with the USG on drug enforcement cooperation. Nevertheless, the GOB is attempting to implement the UN Convention's goals and objectives, but its ability to do so is hampered by inadequate resources and by its failure to enact a comprehensive antinarcotics law.

Benin is not, and is not likely to become, a significant producer of drugs or precursor chemicals, but the GOB fears that Cotonou's bustling informal economy may be providing criminals with convenient front businesses for laundering illicit funds. As in 1995, Benin hosted a 1996 regional training seminar conducted by US Customs. Though the National Assembly has thus far failed to enact a proposed comprehensive anti-money laundering bill, Beninese authorities have taken significant steps towards progress in these areas. Officials have established an inter-agency working committee charged with setting national policy against drugs, coordinating antinarcotics efforts and safely destroying seized drugs. Unfortunately, bribes continue to be a way of life at Benin's borders and low wages enhance the likelihood of official corruption.