This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 002095 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR INL AND SA/INS; JUSTICE FOR OIA, AFMLS, AND 
NDDS; TREASURY FOR FINCEN; DEA FOR OILS AND OFFICE OF 
DIVERSION CONTROL 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SNAR MV
SUBJECT: MALDIVES:  INPUT FOR INCSR 
 
REF: STATE 209558 
 
¶1.  The information in this cable is keyed to Reftel. 
 
¶2.  (Part I)  Summary.  Maldives is not a producer of 
narcotics or precursor chemicals.  The Maldivian government 
and the U.S. maintain a good working relationship on 
counternarcotics issues.  Officials estimate that in 2005, 
upwards of ten percent of the population abuses drugs.  The 
U.S. government has assisted the Maldives in counternarcotics 
activities, including via direct training and through the 
Colombo Plan.  In October 2004, the president set up the 
National Narcotics Control Bureau (NNCB), mandated to 
coordinate all anti-drug efforts.  In September 2005, the 
Maldivian government initiated a project to have 80 people 
earn advanced diplomas in anti-narcotics fields.  There is no 
evidence to suggest that Maldives is a significant 
transshipment point for narcotics or that Maldives produces 
or cultivates narcotics. 
 
¶3.  (Part II)  Status of Country.  Maldives is not a producer 
of narcotics or precursor chemicals.  Officials believe that 
all narcotics trafficked into Maldives is probably for local 
use, not for transshipment.  The Republic of  Maldives 
consists of approximately 1,100 islands set in the Indian 
Ocean, and has a population of approximately 270,000.  Both 
law enforcement officials and anecdotal evidence suggest that 
drug addiction has become a major problem in Maldives. 
Maldivian authorities believe that the drug problem is at the 
root of most crime in the society.  The Maldivian government 
and the U.S. maintain a good working relationship on 
counternarcotics issues. 
 
¶4.  (Part II continued).  The Maldivian government is very 
sensitive to the illicit drug issue and is taking steps to 
address the problem.  The government conducted a Rapid 
Situation Assessment of drug abuse, performed in Maldives in 
2003 and published in 2004.  The study was possible because 
changes to the narcotics law in 2002 enabled officials to 
speak with drug abusers without being required to report 
them.  In line with government officials' assumptions, the 
study found that the majority of drug abusers are in the 
18-35 year old category.  In 2005, officials estimate that 
upwards of ten percent of the population abuses drugs.  In 
the past, the late-teen onset of drug abuse coincided with 
completion of secondary education and the lack of sufficient 
employment opportunities for the growing population of young 
adults.  However, UNICEF officers reported that the average 
age at first use has now dropped to 12.  In recent years, 
drug abuse has shifted from cannabis to "brown sugar" heroin. 
 UNICEF officers expressed concern that the method of heroin 
consumption may shift from smoking to injection. 
 
¶5.  (Part III. 23.2)  Policy Initiatives.  In September 2004, 
the Police Department split from the National Security 
Service, and the police are responsible for narcotics law 
enforcement.  The Department now has a Narcotics Control Unit 
staffed by 50 officers.   In addition, in October 2004, the 
president set up a National Narcotics Control Bureau (NNCB), 
mandated to coordinate anti-drug efforts, promote demand 
reduction, carry out public education campaigns, and conduct 
rehabilitation programs. 
 
¶6.  (Part III. 23.2.a)  Accomplishments.  In August 2005, 
Deputy Gender and Family Minister Dr. Abdulla Waheed was 
appointed as the head of the NNCB.  In addition, in September 
2005, the government initiated a project to have 80 people 
earn advanced diplomas or Master's degrees in anti-narcotics 
fields within five years.  The NNCB plans to have these 
practitioners work in atolls where drug addiction rates are 
high.  At present, Maldives has a 150-bed treatment center 
for both voluntary and involuntary patients in Himmafushi; a 
new 200-bed wing at this facility should become operational 
soon, while an additional 100-bed facility in Addu is 
expected to open by the end of the year.  The NNCB employs 
expatriate healthcare professionals, such as child 
psychologists, to work at the center.  The courts order a 
large number of addicts to go into rehabilitation, inundating 
the small facility.  At times, the waiting list for the 
center exceeds the number receiving treatment. 
 
¶7.  (Part III.23.3.a)  Law Enforcement Efforts.  Officials 
state that the large number of incoming foreign workers, 
mainly South Asians, is one source of drug trafficking. 
Between two to three kilograms of heroin are detected being 
trafficked into Maldives annually. Since only small 
quantities of narcotics are usually trafficked, detection is 
difficult.  There is no evidence at this time suggesting that 
the Maldives is a significant transshipment point for 
narcotics.  As the country has a large amount of commerce and 
traffic via the sea, officials believe, however, that most 
drugs enter the country via small commercial vessels.  Police 
plan to engage vessel operators in deterrence efforts. 
 
¶8.  (Part III 23.4.a)  Corruption.  The government of the 
Maldives did not, as a matter of policy, encourage or 
facilitate the illicit production or distribution of any 
controlled substances or the laundering of proceeds from 
illegal drug transactions.  There were no reports that any 
senior official engaged in such activity or encouragement 
thereof.  There were no INL-funded aircraft or equipment in 
country. 
 
¶9.  (Part III 23.5)  Agreements and Treaties.  The Republic 
of the Maldives has no extradition treaty with the United 
States.  In 1994, however, the Maldives cooperated with the 
U.S. in rendering a Nigerian national to the United States to 
face narcotics trafficking charges.  The Maldivian government 
is a party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention. 
 
¶10.  (Part III 23.6)  Cultivation/Production.  There is no 
evidence that illicit drugs are cultivated or produced in 
Maldives. 
 
¶11.  (Part III 23.7)  Drug Flow/Transit.  There is no 
evidence at this time suggesting that the Maldives is a 
significant transshipment point for narcotics.  As the 
country has a large amount of commerce and traffic via the 
sea, officials believe, however, that most drugs enter the 
country via small commercial vessels. 
 
¶12.  (Part IV 24.2)  Bilateral Cooperation.  The US has 
assisted the Maldives in counternarcotics activities, 
including via direct training and through the Colombo Plan. 
In 2005, the Colombo Plan conducted a U.S.-funded regional 
training program in Maldives for public health practitioners. 
 Previous U.S. government funding to the Maldivian government 
in 1993 created a computerized immigration record-keeping 
system, in part to track the movements of alleged drug 
traffickers.  The US followed up with additional funding in 
1996 to enhance the system. 
 
¶13.  (Part IV 24.2 continued)  Road Ahead.  The U.S. 
government intends to maintain its commitment to aiding the 
Maldivian government in combating drug abuse.  The U.S. 
expects to continue its support of the Colombo Plan. 
 
LUNSTEAD