VZCZCXYZ0003
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKA #0252 0450644
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 140644Z FEB 07
FM AMEMBASSY DHAKA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3218
INFO RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 9645

UNCLAS DHAKA 000252 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SNAR AFIN BG
SUBJECT: 2006 END USE MONITORING REPORT 
 
REF: A. STATE 11351 
 
     ¶B. 06 DHAKA 01464 
 
¶1. Per reftel A, Econoff visited the Department of Narcotics 
Control (DNC) laboratory in Dhaka on February 12 to verify 
the INL-funded equipment and discuss their use in the lab. 
The DNC was helpful in arranging the visit and the lab's 
chief and his deputy were cooperative and willing to answer 
any question. 
 
BACKGROUND 
 
¶2.  The USG has contributed several pieces of equipment to 
the DNC lab.  In 2000, INL provided an analytical balance, a 
top loading balance, and a polarizing microscope.  In 2005, 
INL provided two high powered microscopes.  According to the 
lab's deputy, the USG has also provided a supply of 
supplemental equipment such as microscope slides, thin layer 
chromatography slides, and solvent tanks. 
 
STATUS OF THE EQUIPMENT 
 
¶3.  Econoff viewed the analytical balance and the top loading 
balance from 2000 and one of the high powered microscopes 
from 2005.  The equipment was in use, and working properly 
with the exception of the previously reported problem (ref B) 
with the analytical balance.  Due to electrical power 
fluctuations, it has an intermittent fault.  The polarizing 
microscope from 2000 and the other high powered microscope 
from 2005 are in storage at the lab.  Econoff also viewed the 
thin layer chromatography slides.  The one high powered 
microscope not in storage is used to visually identify 
cannabis, using distinctive microscopic physical qualities, 
as demonstrated to Econoff.  Cannabis is the third most 
common substance tested in the lab.  The most common 
substances tested at the lab are alcohol, both locally made 
country liquor (moonshine) and smuggled commercial brands of 
hard liquor, followed by heroin; neither is testable in the 
INL donated microscopes. 
 
STATUS OF THE LABORATORY 
 
¶4.  The understaffing and budget problems, identified in ref 
B, continue.  One third of its positions are vacant (nine of 
23 total positions) and only one third of the trained 
positions are filled (presently they have one chemical 
examiner and one assistant examiner, instead of two and four, 
respectively).  At the same time, its workload of samples for 
testing has increased substantially (the lab is on track to 
test samples in over 20,000 cases in 2007, up from 8,991 in 
2004 and 2,336 in 2001).  Both the lab's chief and his deputy 
stressed this personnel crisis to Econoff, requesting that it 
be relayed to the Director General of DNC, who still has not 
yet visited the lab over a year into his tenure.  They 
reported the critical issues to be the pay rate and lack of 
leave time.  The lab's staff is very appreciative of USG 
donations of equipment, but is also honest in their 
self-assessment that they do not have adequate staff to 
operate the equipment they have on hand.  After the staffing 
problem, the lab's next highest priority is improvements to 
the facility itself, specifically an exhaust fan or exhaust 
hood system.  Econoff noted a strong chemical odor in the 
lab, and the lab's chief and deputy both commented on the 
health risks of using some of the chemicals needed in their 
testing work without adequate ventilation. 
 
ANALYSIS 
 
¶5.  USG efforts to support the lab are not enough to ensure 
efficient operation without increased GOB support. 
Encouraging the DNC to ensure staffing at authorized levels 
would allow the lab to utilize the equipment they already 
have more effectively.  The contribution of an exhaust fan or 
exhaust hood system for work involving the most dangerous 
vapors would be the next logical step in equipment 
contributions, as that would increase the health and safety 
of the lab staff already employed. 
BUTENIS