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@2086 Illicit drugs
Afghanistan
world's largest producer of opium; cultivation of opium
poppy - used to make heroin - expanded to 30,750 hectares in 2002,
despite eradication; potential opium production of 1,278 metric
tons; source of hashish; many narcotics-processing labs throughout
the country; drug trade source of instability and some government
groups profit from the trade; 80-90% of the heroin consumed in
Europe comes from Afghan opium; vulnerable to narcotics money
laundering through the hawala system
Albania
increasingly active transshipment point for Southwest Asian
opiates, hashish, and cannabis transiting the Balkan route and - to
a far lesser extent - cocaine from South America destined for
Western Europe; limited opium and growing cannabis production;
ethnic Albanian narcotrafficking organizations active and rapidly
expanding in Europe; vulnerable to money laundering associated with
regional trafficking in narcotics, arms, contraband, and illegal
aliens
Angola
used as a transshipment point for cocaine destined for
Western Europe and other African states
Anguilla
transshipment point for South American narcotics destined
for the US and Europe
Antigua and Barbuda
considered a minor transshipment point for
narcotics bound for the US and Europe; more significant as an
offshore financial center
Argentina
used as a transshipment country for cocaine headed for
Europe and the US; some money-laundering activity, especially in the
Tri-Border Area; domestic consumption of drugs in urban centers is
increasing
Armenia
illicit cultivation of small amount of cannabis for domestic
consumption; used as a transit point for illicit drugs - mostly
opium and hashish - moving from Southwest Asia to Russia and to a
lesser extent the rest of Europe
Aruba
transit point for US- and Europe-bound narcotics with some
accompanying money-laundering activity
Australia
Tasmania is one of the world's major suppliers of licit
opiate products; government maintains strict controls over areas of
opium poppy cultivation and output of poppy straw concentrate
Austria
transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and South
American cocaine destined for Western Europe
Azerbaijan
limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy,
mostly for CIS consumption; small government eradication program;
transit point for Southwest Asian opiates bound for Russia and to a
lesser extent the rest of Europe
Bahamas, The
transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for
US and Europe; offshore financial center
Bangladesh
transit country for illegal drugs produced in neighboring
countries
Barbados
one of many Caribbean transshipment points for narcotics
bound for Europe and the US; offshore financial center
Belarus
limited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for
the domestic market; transshipment point for illicit drugs to and
via Russia, and to the Baltics and Western Europe; lax
money-laundering and banking regulations
Belgium
growing producer of synthetic drugs; transit point for
US-bound ecstasy; source of precursor chemicals for South American
cocaine processors; transshipment point for cocaine, heroin,
hashish, and marijuana entering Western Europe; money laundering
related to trafficking of drugs, automobiles, alcohol, and tobacco
Belize
major transshipment point for cocaine; small-scale illicit
producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; some
money-laundering activity related to offshore sector
Benin
transshipment point for narcotics associated with Nigerian
trafficking organizations and most commonly destined for Western
Europe and the US; vulnerable to money laundering due to a poorly
regulated financial infrastructure
Bolivia
world's third-largest cultivator of coca (after Colombia and
Peru) with an estimated 24,400 hectares under cultivation in June
2002, a 23% increase from June 2001; intermediate coca products and
cocaine exported to or through Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, and
Chile to the US and other international drug markets; eradication
and alternative crop programs under the SANCHEZ DE LOZADA
administration have been unable to keep pace with farmers' attempts
to increase cultivation after significant reductions in 1998 and
1999; money-laundering activity related to narcotics trade,
especially along the borders with Brazil and Paraguay
Bosnia and Herzegovina
minor transit point for marijuana and opiate
trafficking routes to Western Europe; organized crime launders
money, but the lack of a well-developed financial infrastructure
limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center
Brazil
illicit producer of cannabis; minor coca cultivation in the
Amazon region, used for domestic consumption; government has a
large-scale eradication program to control cannabis; important
transshipment country for Colombian and Peruvian cocaine headed for
the US and Europe; also used by traffickers as a way station for
narcotics air transshipments between Peru and Colombia; upsurge in
drug-related violence and weapons smuggling; important market for
Colombian, Bolivian, and Peruvian cocaine; illicit narcotics
proceeds earned in Brazil are often laundered through the financial
system; significant illicit financial activity in the Tri-Border Area
British Virgin Islands
transshipment point for South American
narcotics destined for the US and Europe; large offshore financial
center
Brunei
drug trafficking and illegally importing controlled
substances are serious offenses in Brunei and carry a mandatory
death penalty
Bulgaria
major European transshipment point for Southwest Asian
heroin and, to a lesser degree, South American cocaine for the
European market; limited producer of precursor chemicals; some money
laundering of drug-related proceeds through financial institutions
Burma
world's second largest producer of illicit opium (potential
production in 2002 - 630 metric tons, down 27% due to drought and,
to a lesser extent, eradication; cultivation in 2002 - 77,000
hectares, a 27% decline from 2001); surrender of drug warlord KHUN
SA's Mong Tai Army in January 1996 was hailed by Rangoon as a major
counternarcotics success, but lack of government will and ability to
take on major narcotrafficking groups and lack of serious commitment
against money laundering continues to hinder the overall antidrug
effort; major source of methamphetamine and heroin for regional
consumption
Cambodia
narcotics-related corruption reportedly involving some in
the government, military, and police; possible small-scale opium,
heroin, and amphetamine production; large producer of cannabis for
the international market; vulnerable to money laundering due to its
cash-based economy and porous borders
Canada
illicit producer of cannabis for the domestic drug market;
use of hydroponics technology permits growers to plant large
quantities of high-quality marijuana indoors; transit point for
heroin and cocaine entering the US market; vulnerable to narcotics
money laundering because of its mature financial services sector
Cape Verde
used as a transshipment point for illicit drugs moving
from Latin America and Asia destined for Western Europe; the lack of
a well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a
money-laundering center
Cayman Islands
offshore financial center; vulnerable to drug
transshipment to the US and Europe
Chile
a growing transshipment country for cocaine destined for the
US and Europe; economic prosperity and increasing trade have made
Chile more attractive to traffickers seeking to launder drug
profits, especially through the Iquique Free Trade Zone; imported
precursors passed on to Bolivia; domestic cocaine consumption is
rising
China
major transshipment point for heroin produced in the Golden
Triangle; growing domestic drug abuse problem; source country for
chemical precursors and methamphetamine
Colombia
illicit producer of coca, opium poppy, and cannabis;
world's leading coca cultivator (cultivation of coca in 2002 was
144,450 hectares, a 15% decline since 2001); potential production of
opium between 2001 and 2002 declined by 25% to 91 metric tons;
potential production of heroin declined to 11.3 metric tons; the
world's largest processor of coca derivatives into cocaine; supplier
of about 90% of the cocaine to the US market and the great majority
of cocaine to other international drug markets; important supplier
of heroin to the US market; active aerial eradication program; a
significant portion of non-US narcotics proceeds are either
laundered or invested in Colombia through the black market peso
exchange
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
illicit producer of cannabis,
mostly for domestic consumption; while rampant corruption and
inadequate supervision leaves the banking system vulnerable to money
laundering, the lack of a well-developed financial system limits the
country's utility as a money-laundering center
Costa Rica
transshipment country for cocaine and heroin from South
America; illicit production of cannabis on small, scattered plots;
domestic cocaine consumption is rising, particularly crack cocaine
Cote d'Ivoire
illicit producer of cannabis, mostly for local
consumption; transshipment point for Southwest and Southeast Asian
heroin to Europe and occasionally to the US, and for Latin American
cocaine destined for Europe and South Africa; while rampant
corruption and inadequate supervision leave the banking system
vulnerable to money laundering, the lack of a developed financial
system limits the country's utility as a major money-laundering
center
Croatia
transit point along the Balkan route for Southwest Asian
heroin to Western Europe; has been used as a transit point for
maritime shipments of South American cocaine bound for Western Europe
Cuba
territorial waters and air space serve as transshipment zone
for cocaine and heroin bound for the US and Europe; established the
death penalty for certain drug-related crimes in 1999
Cyprus
minor transit point for heroin and hashish via air routes and
container traffic to Europe, especially from Lebanon and Turkey;
some cocaine transits as well; anti-money-laundering laws
strengthened but few convictions
Czech Republic
transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and
minor transit point for Latin American cocaine to Western Europe;
producer of synthetic drugs for local and regional markets;
susceptible to money laundering related to drug trafficking,
organized crime
Dominica
transshipment point for narcotics bound for the US and
Europe; minor cannabis producer; anti-money-laundering enforcement
is weak, making the country particularly vulnerable to money
laundering
Dominican Republic
transshipment point for South American drugs
destined for the US and Europe; has become a transshipment point for
ecstasy from the Netherlands and Belgium destined for US and Canada;
substantial money-laundering activity; Colombian narcotics
traffickers favor the Dominican Republic for illicit financial
transactions
East Timor
NA
Ecuador
significant transit country for cocaine originating in
Colombia and Peru; importer of precursor chemicals used in
production of illicit narcotics; dollarization may raise the volume
of money-laundering activity, especially along the border with
Colombia; increased activity on the northern frontier by trafficking
groups and Colombian insurgents
Egypt
transit point for Southwest Asian and Southeast Asian heroin
and opium moving to Europe, Africa, and the US; transit stop for
Nigerian couriers; concern as money-laundering site due to lax
banking regulations
El Salvador
transshipment point for cocaine; small amounts of
marijuana produced for local consumption; domestic cocaine abuse on
the rise
Estonia
transshipment point for opiates and cannabis from Southwest
Asia and the Caucasus via Russia, cocaine from Latin America to
Western Europe and Scandinavia, and synthetic drugs from Western
Europe to Scandinavia; increasing domestic drug abuse problem;
possible precursor manufacturing and/or trafficking
Ethiopia
transit hub for heroin originating in Southwest and
Southeast Asia and destined for Europe and North America as well as
cocaine destined for markets in southern Africa; cultivates qat
(khat) for local use and regional export, principally to Djibouti
and Somalia (legal in all three countries); the lack of a
well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a
money-laundering center
France
transshipment point for and consumer of South American
cocaine, Southwest Asian heroin, and European synthetics
French Guiana
small amount of marijuana grown for local consumption;
minor transshipment point to Europe
Georgia
limited cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for
domestic consumption; used as transshipment point for opiates via
Central Asia to Western Europe and Russia
Germany
source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine
processors; transshipment point for and consumer of Southwest Asian
heroin, Latin American cocaine, and European-produced synthetic drugs
Ghana
illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade;
major transit hub for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin and, to a
lesser extent, South American cocaine destined for Europe and the
US; widespread crime and corruption have made money laundering a
problem, but the lack of a well-developed financial infrastructure
limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center
Greece
a gateway to Europe for traffickers smuggling cannabis and
heroin from the Middle East and Southwest Asia to the West and
precursor chemicals to the East; some South American cocaine
transits or is consumed in Greece; money laundering related to drug
trafficking and organized crime
Grenada
small-scale cannabis cultivation; lesser transshipment point
for marijuana and cocaine to US
Guatemala
major transit country for cocaine and heroin; minor
producer of illicit opium poppy and cannabis for mostly domestic
consumption; proximity to Mexico makes Guatemala a major staging
area for drugs (cocaine and heroin shipments); money laundering is a
serious problem; corruption is a major problem
Guyana
transshipment point for narcotics from South America -
primarily Venezuela - to Europe and the US; producer of cannabis
Haiti
major Caribbean transshipment point for cocaine en route to
the US and Europe; substantial money-laundering activity; Colombian
narcotics traffickers favor Haiti for illicit financial
transactions; pervasive corruption
Honduras
transshipment point for drugs and narcotics; illicit
producer of cannabis, cultivated on small plots and used principally
for local consumption; corruption is a major problem; some
money-laundering activity
Hong Kong
Makes strenuous law enforcement efforts, but faces serious
challenges in controlling transit of heroin and methamphetamine to
regional and world markets; modern banking system provides a conduit
for money laundering; rising indigenous use of synthetic drugs,
especially among young people
Hungary
transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and cannabis
and for South American cocaine destined for Western Europe; limited
producer of precursor chemicals, particularly for amphetamine and
methamphetamine; improving, but remains vulnerable to money
laundering related to organized crime and drug trafficking
India
world's largest producer of licit opium for the pharmaceutical
trade, but an undetermined quantity of opium is diverted to illicit
international drug markets; transit point for illicit narcotics
produced in neighboring countries; illicit producer of methaqualone;
vulnerable to narcotics money laundering through the hawala system
Indonesia
illicit producer of cannabis largely for domestic use;
possible growing role as transshipment point for Golden Triangle
heroin
Iran
despite substantial interdiction efforts, Iran remains a key
transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin to Europe; domestic
narcotics consumption remains a persistent problem and Iranian press
reports estimate at least 2 million drug users in the country
Ireland
transshipment point for and consumer of hashish from North
Africa to the UK and Netherlands and of European-produced synthetic
drugs; minor transshipment point for heroin and cocaine destined for
Western Europe
Israel
increasingly concerned about cocaine and heroin abuse; drugs
arrive in country from Lebanon and, increasingly, from Jordan
Italy
important gateway for and consumer of Latin American cocaine
and Southwest Asian heroin entering the European market; money
laundering by organized crime and from smuggling
Jamaica
major transshipment point for cocaine from South America to
North America and Europe; illicit cultivation of cannabis;
government has an active manual cannabis eradication program;
corruption is a major concern; substantial money-laundering
activity; Colombian narcotics traffickers favor Jamaica for illicit
financial transactions
Kazakhstan
significant illicit cultivation of cannabis for CIS
markets, as well as limited cultivation of opium poppy and ephedra
(for the drug ephedrine); limited government eradication of illicit
crops; transit point for Southwest Asian narcotics bound for Russia
and the rest of Europe
Kenya
widespread harvesting of small plots of marijuana; transit
country for South Asian heroin destined for Europe and North
America; Indian methaqualone also transits on way to South Africa;
significant potential for money-laundering activity given the
country's status as a regional financial center, massive corruption,
and relatively high levels of narcotics-associated activities
Kyrgyzstan
limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy
for CIS markets; limited government eradication of illicit crops;
transit point for Southwest Asian narcotics bound for Russia and the
rest of Europe
Laos
world's third-largest illicit opium producer (estimated
cultivation in 2002 - 23,200 hectares, a 5% increase over 2001;
estimated potential production in 2002 - 180 metric tons, a 10%
decrease from 2001); potential heroin producer; transshipment point
for heroin and methamphetamine produced in Burma; illicit producer
of cannabis; growing methamphetamine abuse problem
Latvia
transshipment point for opiates and cannabis from Central and
Southwest Asia to Western Europe and Scandinavia and Latin American
cocaine and some synthetics from Western Europe to CIS; money
laundering remains a concern despite changes to banking legislation
Lebanon
cannabis cultivation dramatically reduced to 2,500 hectares
in 2002; opium poppy cultivation minimal; small amounts of Latin
American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin transit country on way
to US and European markets
Liberia
transshipment point for Southeast and Southwest Asian heroin
and South American cocaine for the European and US markets;
corruption, criminal activity, arms-dealing, and diamond trade
provide significant potential for money laundering, but the lack of
well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a
major money-laundering center
Liechtenstein
multilateral organizations engaged in issuing
international guidelines for financial sector oversight found gaps
in Liechtenstein's financial services controls that made it
vulnerable to money laundering, but Liechtenstein has become less
attractive as a haven for illicit funds, based on implementation in
2001 of new anti-money-laundering legislation and improved mutual
legal assistance cooperation with other countries
Lithuania
transshipment point for opiates and other illicit drugs
from Southwest Asia, Latin America, and Western Europe to Western
Europe and Scandinavia; limited production of methamphetamine and
ecstasy; susceptible to money laundering despite changes to banking
legislation
Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of
major transshipment point
for Southwest Asian heroin and hashish; minor transit point for
South American cocaine destined for Europe; while money laundering
is a problem on a local level due to organized crime activities, the
lack of a well-developed financial infrastructure limits the
country's utility as a money-laundering center
Madagascar
illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild
varieties) used mostly for domestic consumption; transshipment point
for heroin
Malaysia
transit point for some illicit drugs; drug trafficking
prosecuted vigorously and carries severe penalties
Malta
minor transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to
Western Europe
Martinique
transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for
the US and Europe
Mauritius
minor consumer and transshipment point for heroin from
South Asia; small amounts of cannabis produced and consumed locally;
significant offshore financial industry creates potential for money
laundering, but corruption levels are relatively low and the
government appears generally to be committed to regulating its
banking industry
Mexico
illicit cultivation of opium poppy (cultivation in 2001 -
4,400 hectares; potential heroin production - 7 metric tons) and of
cannabis (in 2001 - 4,100 hectares); government eradication efforts
have been key in keeping illicit crop levels low; major supplier of
heroin and largest foreign supplier of marijuana and methamphetamine
to the US market; continues as the primary transshipment country for
US-bound cocaine from South America; major drug syndicates control
majority of drug trafficking throughout the country; growing
producer and distributor of ecstasy; significant money-laundering
center
Moldova
limited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for
CIS consumption; transshipment point for illicit drugs from
Southwest Asia via Central Asia to Russia, Western Europe, and
possibly the US; widespread crime and underground economic activity
Montserrat
transshipment point for South American narcotics destined
for the US and Europe
Morocco
illicit producer of hashish; trafficking increasing for both
domestic and international drug markets; shipments of hashish mostly
directed to Western Europe; transit point for cocaine from South
America destined for Western Europe
Mozambique
Southern African transit point for South Asian hashish,
South Asian heroin, and South American cocaine probably destined for
the European and South African markets; producer of cannabis (for
local consumption) and methaqualone (for export to South Africa);
corruption and poor regulatory capability makes the banking system
vulnerable to money laundering, but the lack of a well-developed
financial infrastructure limits the country's utility as a
money-laundering center
Nauru
broad-based money-laundering center
Nepal
illicit producer of cannabis for the domestic and
international drug markets; transit point for opiates from Southeast
Asia to the West
Netherlands
major European producer of illicit amphetamine and other
synthetic drugs; important gateway for cocaine, heroin, and hashish
entering Europe; major source of US-bound ecstasy; large financial
sector vulnerable to money laundering
Netherlands Antilles
transshipment point for South American drugs
bound for the US and Europe; money-laundering center
Nicaragua
transshipment point for cocaine destined for the US and
transshipment point for arms-for-drugs dealing
Nigeria
a transit point for heroin and cocaine intended for
European, East Asian, and North American markets; safehaven for
Nigerian narcotraffickers operating worldwide; major
money-laundering center; massive corruption and criminal activity,
along with unwillingness of the government to address the
deficiencies in its anti-money-laundering regime make money
laundering a major problem
Pakistan
opium poppy cultivation practically eliminated; key transit
point for Southwest Asian heroin bound for Western markets; Afghan
narcotics continue to transit Federally Administered Tribal Areas,
Balochistan Province, and Karachi; financial crimes related to drug
trafficking, terrorism, corruption, and smuggling remain problems
Panama
major cocaine transshipment point and primary money
laundering center for narcotics revenue; money-laundering activity
is especially heavy in the Colon Free Zone; offshore financial
center; negligible signs of coca cultivation; monitoring of
financial transactions is improving; official corruption remains a
major problem
Paraguay
major illicit producer of cannabis, most or all of which is
consumed in South America; transshipment country for Andean cocaine
headed for Brazil, other Southern Cone markets, Europe, and US;
corruption and some money-laundering activity, especially in the
Tri-Border Area
Peru
until 1996 the world's largest coca leaf producer; emerging
opium producer; cultivation of coca in Peru increased by 8% to
36,600 hectares between 2001 and the end of 2002; much of the
cocaine base is shipped to neighboring Colombia for processing into
cocaine, while finished cocaine is shipped out from Pacific ports to
the international drug market; increasing amounts of base and
finished cocaine, however, are being moved to Brazil and Bolivia for
use in the Southern Cone or transshipped to Europe and Africa
Philippines
exports locally-produced marijuana and hashish to East
Asia, the US, and other Western markets; serves as a transit point
for heroin and crystal methamphetamine
Poland
major illicit producer of amphetamine for the international
market; minor transshipment point for Asian and Latin American
illicit drugs to Western Europe
Portugal
gateway country for Latin American cocaine and Southwest
Asian heroin entering the European market; transshipment point for
hashish from North Africa to Europe; consumer of Southwest Asian
heroin
Romania
major transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin
transiting the Balkan route and small amounts of Latin American
cocaine bound for Western Europe
Russia
limited cultivation of illicit cannabis and opium poppy and
producer of methamphetamine, mostly for domestic consumption;
government has active illicit crop eradication program; used as
transshipment point for Asian opiates, cannabis, and Latin American
cocaine bound for growing domestic markets, to a lesser extent
Western and Central Europe, and occasionally to the US; major source
of heroin precursor chemicals; corruption and organized crime are
key concerns; heroin increasingly popular in domestic market
Saint Kitts and Nevis
transshipment point for South American drugs
destined for the US and Europe; some money-laundering activity
Saint Lucia
transit point for South American drugs destined for the
US and Europe
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
transshipment point for South
American drugs destined for the US and Europe; small-scale cannabis
cultivation
Saudi Arabia
death penalty for traffickers; increasing consumption
of heroin, cocaine, and hashish
Senegal
transshipment point for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin
moving to Europe and North America; illicit cultivator of cannabis
Serbia and Montenegro
transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin
moving to Western Europe on the Balkan route; economy vulnerable to
money laundering
Singapore
as a transportation and financial services hub, Singapore
is vulnerable, despite strict laws and enforcement, to be used as a
transit point for Golden Triangle heroin and as a venue for money
laundering
Slovakia
transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin bound for
Western Europe; producer of synthetic drugs for regional market
Slovenia
minor transit point for cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin
bound for Western Europe, and for precursor chemicals
South Africa
transshipment center for heroin, hashish, marijuana,
and possibly cocaine; cocaine consumption on the rise; world's
largest market for illicit methaqualone, usually imported illegally
from India through various east African countries; illicit
cultivation of marijuana; attractive venue for money launderers
given the increasing level of organized criminal and narcotics
activity in the region
Spain
key European gateway country for Latin American cocaine and
North African hashish entering the European market; destination and
minor transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin
Suriname
growing transshipment point for South American drugs
destined for Europe and Brazil; transshipment point for
arms-for-drugs dealing
Switzerland
because of more stringent government regulations, used
significantly less as a money-laundering center; transit country for
and consumer of South American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin
Syria
a transit point for opiates and hashish bound for regional and
Western markets
Taiwan
regional transit point for heroin and methamphetamine; major
problem with domestic consumption of methamphetamine and heroin
Tajikistan
major transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for
Russian and, to a lesser extent, Western European markets; limited
illicit cultivation of opium poppy for domestic consumption;
Tajikistan seizes roughly 80 percent of all drugs captured in
Central Asia and stands third world-wide in seizures of opiates
(heroin and raw opium)
Tanzania
growing role in transshipment of Southwest and Southeast
Asian heroin and South American cocaine destined for South African,
European, and US markets and of South Asian methaqualone bound for
Southern Africa; money laundering remains a problem
Thailand
a minor producer of opium, heroin, and marijuana; illicit
transit point for heroin en route to the international drug market
from Burma and Laos; eradication efforts have reduced the area of
cannabis cultivation and shifted some production to neighboring
countries; opium poppy cultivation has been reduced by eradication
efforts; also a drug money-laundering center; minor role in
amphetamine production for regional consumption; increasing
indigenous abuse of methamphetamine
Togo
transit hub for Nigerian heroin and cocaine traffickers; money
laundering not a significant problem
Trinidad and Tobago
transshipment point for South American drugs
destined for the US and Europe; producer of cannabis
Turkey
key transit route for Southwest Asian heroin to Western
Europe and - to a far lesser extent the US - via air, land, and sea
routes; major Turkish, Iranian, and other international trafficking
organizations operate out of Istanbul; laboratories to convert
imported morphine base into heroin are in remote regions of Turkey
as well as near Istanbul; government maintains strict controls over
areas of legal opium poppy cultivation and output of poppy straw
concentrate
Turkmenistan
transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for Russian
and, to a lesser extent, Western European markets; limited illicit
cultivation of opium poppy for domestic consumption; small-scale
government-run eradication of illicit crops; transit point for
heroin precursor chemicals bound for Afghanistan
Turks and Caicos Islands
transshipment point for South American
narcotics destined for the US and Europe
Ukraine
limited cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for
CIS consumption; some synthetic drug production for export to the
West; limited government eradication program; used as transshipment
point for opiates and other illicit drugs from Africa, Latin
America, and Turkey to Europe and Russia; drug-related money
laundering a minor, but growing, problem; lax anti-money-laundering
regime
United Arab Emirates
the UAE is a drug transshipment point for
traffickers given its proximity to southwest Asian drug producing
countries; the UAE's position as a major financial center makes it
vulnerable to money laundering; anti-money-laundering legislation
was signed into law by the president on 25 January 2002
United Kingdom
gateway country for Latin American cocaine entering
the European market; major consumer of synthetic drugs, producer of
limited amounts of synthetic drugs and synthetic precursor
chemicals; major consumer of Southwest Asian heroin;
money-laundering center
United States
consumer of cocaine shipped from Colombia through
Mexico and the Caribbean; consumer of heroin, marijuana, and
increasingly methamphetamine from Mexico; consumer of high-quality
Southeast Asian heroin; illicit producer of cannabis, marijuana,
depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, and methamphetamine;
money-laundering center
Uzbekistan
transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for Russian
and, to a lesser extent, Western European markets; limited illicit
cultivation of cannabis and small amounts of opium poppy for
domestic consumption; poppy cultivation almost wiped out by
government crop eradication program; transit point for heroin
precursor chemicals bound for Afghanistan
Venezuela
small-scale illicit producer of opium and coca for the
processing of opiates and coca derivatives; however, large
quantities of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana transit the country
from Colombia bound for US and Europe; significant narcotics-related
money-laundering activity, especially along the border with Colombia
and on Margarita Island; active eradication program primarily
targeting opium; increasing signs of drug-related activities by
Colombian insurgents on border
Vietnam
minor producer of opium poppy; probable minor transit point
for Southeast Asian heroin; domestic opium/heroin/methamphetamine
addiction problems
World
cocaine: worldwide, coca is grown on an estimated 205,450
hectares - almost exclusively in South America with 70% in Colombia;
potential cocaine production during 2002 is estimated at 938 metric
tons (or 1,200 metric tons of export quality cocaine at an average
of 78% purity); coca eradication programs continue in Bolivia,
Colombia, and Peru, and 292 metric tons of export quality cocaine
are documented to have been seized in 2002; consumption of export
quality cocaine is estimated to have been 875 metric tons
opiates: cultivation of opium poppy occurred on an estimated 141,213
hectares in 2002 and potentially produced 2,183 metric tons of opium
- which conceivably could be converted to the equivalent of 238
metric tons of pure heroin; opium eradication programs have been
undertaken in Afghanistan, Burma, Colombia, Mexico, Pakistan,
Thailand, and Vietnam, and the annual average for opiates seized
worldwide over the past five years (1998-2002) has been 45 metric
tons of pure heroin equivalent; estimates for average annual
consumption over this time period are 315 metric tons pure heroin
equivalent
Zambia
transshipment point for moderate amounts of methaqualone,
small amounts of heroin, and cocaine bound for Southern Africa and
possibly Europe; a poorly developed financial infrastructure coupled
with a government commitment to combating money laundering make it
an unattractive venue for money launderers
Zimbabwe
transit point for African cannabis and South Asian heroin,
mandrax, and methamphetamines destined for the South African and
European markets