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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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