INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS BIWEEKLY REVIEW

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00912A001800010022-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 18
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 19, 2009
• Sequence Number: 22
• Publication Date: October 12, 1977
• Content Type: REPORT

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National Secret
Foreign
Assessment
Center
International Narcotics
Biweekly Review
DOJ, DOS Review
Completed.
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INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS BIWEEKLY REVIEW
12 October 1977
CONTENTS
USSR: Drug Abuse Rise in the Asiatic Republics . . 1
DENMARK: Enforcement Difficulties Hamper
Drug Control Effort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
NOTEWORTHY POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS:
1. Pakistan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2. Colombia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
BRIEFS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
INTERESTING READING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Note: As a result of a reorganization, effective 11 October 1977, intelligence
publications formerly issued by the Directorate of Intelligence and by the National
Intelligence Officers are now being issued by the National Foreign Assessment
Center. Publication covers and titles have been adjusted to reflect this change. This
publication was formerly titled International Narcotics Developments.
This publication is prepared by analysts in the National Foreign Assessment Center
for specialists in the Washington community who are interested in international
narcotics matters. Comments and queries are welcome. They should be directed to
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USSR: Drug Abuse Rise in the Asiatic Republics
an increasing drug
abuse problem among Soviet youth, particularly in the
Kazakh and Azerbaijan Republics.
the use of drugs (pZon in Russian slang) has
reached alarming levels in the past five years.
Marijuana (anasha) and hashish are evidently the
most prevalent drugs and are used by as many as three
quarters of all adolescents in Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.
Their popularity is reflected in rising prices--for
example, a marijuana cigarette which cost 10 kopeks in
1965 sold for one ruble in 1977.* The towns of Kzyl-Orda
and Dzhambul, both in Kazakhstan, are primary sources of
the drugs. Dzhambul in particular is located near the
opium producing and distributing areas of the Kirgiz
Republic.
Opium and codeine are also mentioned as widely used
narcotics. the oft-heard rumor about
opium smuggling across the Sino-Soviet border into
Kazakhstan. Azerbaijan, a producer of poppies for
both oil and opium gum, is also reported to be an impor-
tant source of illegal opium. Diversion of large amounts
of legally grown opium in both Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan
is apparently common, despite supposedly tight security
around opium fields.
Hospital stocks are said to be the major source of
codeine, sold on the black market by hospital employees
as a lucrative source of income. Morphine is also stolen
from hospital and pharmacy supplies, but its cost to
users is high (street price is about five rubles for a
small vial), and its use is not common. The extent of
heroin, barbiturate, and amphetamine abuse is not known.
*100 kopeks = 1 ruble = $0.90 (1965), $1.43 (1977) (of-
ficial rate)
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The widespread use of narcotics in the USSR prompted
the passage in 1973 of a series of laws against drug
peddling and use. The penalty is now a maximum of five
years' imprisonment for first possession and 10 for the
second offense, while drug peddling carries an automatic
sentence of 10 years' imprisonment and confiscation of
all private property. Habitual users may be imprisoned
for 10 years. Additional armed guards were posted
around opium fields, but they reportedly succumbed
quickly to the opportunity for extra income.
the ranks of Soviet drug users.
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DENMARK: Enforcement Difficulties Hamper Drug
Control Effort
Denmark's role as a "clearing-house" for interna-
tional drug trafficking is increasing. Sixty to 70 per-
cent of Scandinavia's illicit drugs are routed through
Copenhagen, the gateway between Nordic and Continental
Europe. The city's accessibility and inadequate drug
control effort have made it a popular transit point for
drugs destined for other areas as well.
Denmark does not produce narcotics nor are Danish
citizens responsible for introducing most of the illicit
drugs to the country. Heroin enters Denmark from South-
east Asia through tightly controlled Chinese organizations
which recruit Westerners as couriers. Pakistan is the
source of most morphine entering Denmark, and Pakistani
guest workers are relied upon for its transportation.
Hashish originates in several middle Eastern countries
and is carried by tourists (often students) and laborers.
Efforts to control the movement of illegal drugs
are frustrated by legal constraints on the Danish police,
the free flow of uninspected tourist traffic across
Danish borders, obsolete police practices, and a lack of
cooperation among government agencies. Police efforts to
infiltrate drug rings have been permitted only since 1976
because it was feared that the practice would lead to
violations of individual privacy. Similar constraints
limit cooperation between police and social welfare
authorities who are charged with treating drug addiction
problems.
Some rivalry exists between the small Narcotics
Police organization which is privy to DEA and INTERPOL
intelligence on drug matters, and Customs, which has the
manpower to combat drug flow through the country's air-
ports and border posts. The Justice Ministry has been
hesitant to authorize adequate rewards for information
leading to drug arrests, and only recently have police
been given a "flash roll" to lure vendors into drug deals.
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Curiously, there has been little public support for
a comprehensive campaign against drug problems. Drug
usage seems to be regarded as a personal matter that
should remain outside the government's purview. Danes are
much more inclined to support expensive rehabilitation
programs than enforcement efforts which require government
agents to become involved in the "dirty" end of the drug
business. There is also some fear that a strict enforce-
ment policy would curtail tourism which is of great eco-
nomic importance to Denmark.
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(Editor's Note: These items, produced for another
CIA publication, do not deal specifically with the
international narcotics situation. They are in-
cluded here, however, because they concern develop-
ing political situations that could impact on the
international narcotics control effort.)
PAKISTAN: Election Postponement
Chief Martial Law Administrator Zia-ul-Haq's deci-
sion, announced 1 October, to postpone Pakistan's elec-
tion apparently resulted from the need for time to solve
several political problems. The military government
still seems to regard itself as transitional, although
its actions continue to move it in the direction of per-
manent rule.
Zia said that if the election were held as scheduled
on 18 October, a new crisis could ensue. He is concerned
both that widespread violence could erupt and that the
nine-party Pakistan National Alliance opposing former
Prime Minister Bhutto would be unable to form a stable
government, which could open the way for Bhutto's return
to power.
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In the past, Zia has expressed doubts about the
Alliance's ability to govern. In his speech announcing
the postponement, he accused both the Alliance and
Bhutto's party of failing to produce a rocram and of
indulging in "provocative statements."
Zia may plan to release Abdul Wali Khan, who was
jailed by Bhutto on charges of plotting the secession
of Pakistan's two westernmost provinces. Wali is a
more charismatic figure than the present Alliance leaders,
but his return to active politics might well increase
strains within the Alliance.
The military leaders have not established a new
date for the election, but there is some speculation it
will be held in March. Zia has acknowledged that the
task of returning Pakistan to democracy is more diffi-
cult than he expected when he seized power in July.
It might be as difficult in March.
COLOMBIA: President Lopez Reshuffles Cabinet
The government's handling of the labor strike in
Colombia last month has resulted in further factionalism
within the ruling Liberal Party and precipitated a crisis
in the President's cabinet. As a result of the strike,
Lopez asked for the resignations of Rafael Pardo Buelvas
and Abdon Espinosa Valderrama, Ministers of Government
and Finance, respectively. Their departures triggered
the resignations of the remaining cabinet members, leav-
ing Lopez free to reorganize his administration and put
his government back on an even keel.
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Pardo's ouster resulted
from his public criticism o party officials who failed
to support the administration during the recent labor
crisis. His comments embarrassed Lopez and further di-
vided the Liberal Party at a time when pre-election soli-
darity is of great importance.
Thus far Lopez has made four new appointments to
his cabinet: Minister of Government Alfredo Araujo Grau,
Finance Minister Alfonso Palacio Rudas, Minister of Mines
and Energy Eduardo Gaitan Duran, and Agriculture Minister
Joaquin Vanin Tello. On balance the changes may well
have strengthened the administration. The new appointees
have better political bases than the previous incumbents,
and they appear to be more highly regarded by other Lib-
eral and Conservative party officials than were the former
ministers.
The appointments change what in effect is Lopez'
ministerial economic team. This change, coupled with
the President's dissatisfaction with previous fiscal
policies, may indicate a gradual relaxation of the hard,
anti-inflation line espoused by Espinosa. That policy,
bitterly opposed by the country's working class which
has been hard hit by the rising cost of living, provoked
the united opposition of the labor confederations that
culminated in the violent general strike on 14 September.
Although the general work stoppage lasted only one
day, sporadic strikes by some industrial workers, teach-
ers, and others are still under way. There have been
rumors that unless the government agrees to labor's de-
mands, the unions will call another general strike.
Labor and government, however, both want to avoid another
potentially disastrous confrontation in the streets.
Prospects seem likely, therefore, that a minimum wage
increase acceptable to both sides may be forthcoming.
Lopez has only 10 months left in which to solve the
worsening social and political problems gripping the
country, and he would like to end his term on a positive
note and at the same time enhance the prospects for his
party to remain in power.
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COLOMBIA: There have been some reports in recent weeks
that Mexican opium poppy growers have been working
with Colombian traffickers to begin cultivation of
opium poppies in Colombia. Late last month opium
poppy field spotting--missions were flown in the
Buga Valley, the area reportedly under cultivation.
A DEA pilot, flying one of the US helicopters re-
cently given to Colombia as part of a bilateral
drug control program, covered both the valley and
the surrounding mountainous areas. The pilot, who
has experience spotting poppy fields in Mexico,
reported that no fields were discovered in the
areas he investigated. Other surveys of different
areas are planned.
LATIN AMERICA: Dr. Nelson Diaz Pomar, the Attorney
General of Peru, recently approached the US Embassy
in Lima for possible US support for a proposed sub-
regional conference of Latin American Attorneys
General on narcotics matters. According to Diaz,
the meeting would constitute a continuation of the
Sixth Interamerican Conference of Attorneys General
held in Quito last month. Diaz proposes that rep-
resentatives of the US, Ecuador, Bolivia, Colombia,
Mexico, Panama, and Peru reconvene and attempt to
develop draft extradition agreements among the
participating countries specifically to cover nar-
cotics violators. The conference would also consider
other means of regional cooperation on narcotics
including drafting a model drug law for Latin Ameri-
BOLIVIA: Officials in Washington recently asked the US
Embassy in La Paz for its opinion regarding the
feasibility of conducting research on coca crop
eradication in Boliva. Although Bolivian officials
have expressed an interest in working out bilateral
drug control measures with the US, the US Embassy
reported that a crop eradication survey would not
be in the best interest of developing further drug
control cooperation. A host of political and economic
factors in Bolivia will make even a crop substitution
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program difficult; proposals for crop eradication are
likely to be regarded with extreme misgivings and dis-
trust by Bolivian officials and campesinos alike. F
AFGHANISTAN: High-level Afghan officials, including
Mohammad Yahya Maroofi, Chairman of the Joint Com-
mission on Afghan Narcotics Matters, and the Minis-
ter of Planning have assured US and UN representa-
tives in Kabul that they will support the proposed
UN feasibility survey for an opium poppy eradica-
tion program in the upper Helmand Valley. The Min-
ister of Planning has also promised to secure the
assistance of other key Afghan officials such as
the Minister of Water and Power. Maroofi has sug-
gested that the Joint Commission meet next month
with the UN representative responsible for the pro-
posed survey to exchange views on the project.
THAILAND: Police in southern Thailand have seized over
three-quarters of a ton of opium aboard a southbound
train. The police believe that the opium was being
shipped clandestinely to new heroin factories or
laboratories located near the Malaysian border. The
opium seizure apparently was the largest ever made
in southern Thailand. Thai narcotics agents claim
that drug traffickers in recent months have begun
processing raw opium into heroin because of heavy
police pressure in the northern growing areas. The
opium, packed in boxes, was being shipped to a Thai
national at an address some 420 miles south of Bang-
kok and only 50 miles north of the Malaysian border.
PARAGUAY: The Paraguayan Senate, on 6 October, approved
and sent back to the Executive Branch of the govern-
ment the South American Drug Agreement on Narcotics
and Psychotropic drugs. This agreement, which was
signed at the international conference in Buenos
Aires on 27 April 1973, entered into force on 26
March this year--30 days after ratification by the
Argentine Government, the fourth ratification as
provided by the agreement. The action taken by the
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Paraguayan Senate was one of the last steps in
Paraguay's ratification procedure; it still has to
go through the technical. procedure of presidential
signature and promulgation. Final action is ex-
pected within the next two weeks.
AUSTRALIA: The Prime Minister announced in Parliament
on 5 October that arrangements have been made to
establish a "National Royal Commission on Drugs."
The National Commission will be headed by a justice
from the Queensland Supreme Court and is expected
to begin functioning soon although no timetable has
yet been announced. The formation of the National
Commission, which follows in the wake of the recent
creation of two state-level "royal commissions,"
reflects the growing concern in Australia over its
drug abuse problem. National attention became
focused on the worsening problem following the dis-
appearance and presumed murder of a prominent New
South Wales citizen who had assumed a leading role
in organizing public support for stronger enforce-
ment of antinarcotics laws in the New South Wales
region. The role of organized crime in the narcotics
problem has become an increasing public concern in
Australia.
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Heroin Seized From International Smuggling Network (INDIA)
--TNDD,* No. L/7389, 27 September 1977, p. 12.
(According to the Central Delhi Police Superinten-
dent, the heroin came from the Golden Triangle area
and was smuggled into India through Nepal.)
Heroin Bigger Threat Than Dissidence (NEW ZEALAND)--TNDD,
No. L/7389, pp. 26-28. ("...New Zealand is pro-
gressively coming under the grip of an international
drug trade that, in the case of heroin. . .can be
traced back to political groups and sources in South-
east Asia.")
Little Chance of Tracing Currency to Drugs (NEW ZEALAND)
--TNDD, No. L/7389, pp. 29-30. (Large sums of money
are being taken out of New Zealand and exchanged at
foreign banks...[but] because the sources of the cur-
rency can be traced only as far as the foreign bank
from which it was sent, persons who have exchanged
big sums ...for foreign currency have escaped de-
tection.")
La Victoria Traffickers Reclaim Cocaine After Bust
(COLOMBIA)--TNDD, No. L/7389, pp. 93-101. (A veteran
of the Korean War, a soldier in the Colombian Army
decorated by the government for actions in defense
of public order... inflicted the biggest insult on
Colombian authorities in the history of the battle
against cocaine traffickers.... [He recovered] 150
pounds of cocaine that the [authorities] had confis-
cated from him at the biggest laboratory ever found
in [Colombia].")
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Causes of Increasing Drug Addiction Analyzed (MEXICO)--
TNDD, No. L/7389, pp. 111-116. ("The problem of
the use of drugs among young people is unfortunately
increasing every day.... This life of constant change,
the overpopulation.-and especially the increasing
lack of communication among family members, along
with other factors, may produce an insecure in-
dividual... who... may turn to drugs.")
Drug Addiction Problem Said Reappearing (LEBANON)--TNDD,
No. L/7389, pp. 146-?152. (A Lebanese mental health
official sees the resurgence of drug addiction as
a result of the civil war.)
Hard Drug Traffic Led by Europe (SWEDEN)--TNDD, No. L/7389,
p. 164. ("Europe has overtaken America as the biggest
market for illicit hard drugs, with seizures by police
more than doubling over the past 18 months.")
Growth of Heroin Traffic Noted (UNITED KINGDOM)--TNDD,
No. L/7389, pp. 166-169. (Jayne Harris, a 25-year-
old heiress, was thought to have spent most of a
$120,000 inheritance on drugs before she died of
her addiction.... She started by sniffing cocaine
at a party when she was 15...her tragedy dramatically
highlights the growing problem of heroin trafficking
in Britain....")
Narcotics Smuggling, Seizure Operations Reported (SYRIA)
--TNDD, No. L/7398, 30 September 1977, pp. 51-68.
(The phenomenon of taking drugs is a social problem
which is threatening parts of the Arab homeland and
a possible danger that may threaten the other por-
tions of Arab society....")
Investigation of Drug Seizure Reveals Concealment Procedures
(SWEDEN)--TNDD, No. L/7398, pp. 61-64. (Cookie cans.)
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