P 130726Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY CHISINAU
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7296

UNCLAS CHISINAU 001108 
 
 
STATE FOR EUR/UMB AND INL 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SNAR MD
SUBJECT: MOLDOVA: 2008-2009 INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS 
CONTROL STRATEGY REPORT (INCSR) PART I: DRUGS AND 
CHEMICAL CONTROL 
 
¶1. Summary:  Moldova continues to grow as a drug- 
transit country and drug-related crime rates continue to 
increase.  In 2008, Moldovan law enforcement seized 
unprecedented quantities of heroin and cocaine.  Moldova 
does not produce a significant amount of narcotics or 
precursor chemicals.  Despite the fact that widespread 
poverty makes Moldova a relatively unattractive market 
for narcotics sales, drug usage within Moldova remains a 
concern.  There was increased use of heroin and ecstasy 
in 2008.  Moldova is party to the 1988 UN Drug 
Convention.  End Summary. 
 
Status of Country 
----------------- 
 
¶2. Moldova is an agriculturally rich nation with a 
climate favorable for cultivating marijuana and poppy, 
although annual domestic production of marijuana is 
estimated at just several hundred kilograms. 
Authorities regularly seize and destroy illicitly 
cultivated hemp and poppy plants.  The market for 
domestically produced narcotics remains small, and is 
largely confined to local production areas. Geopolitical 
changes, MoldovaQs proximity to the European Union, 
corruption, and the limited capacity of law enforcement 
resulted in the increased import of synthetic drugs and 
the increased smuggling of narcotic and psychotropic 
substances into Moldova in 2008.  Investigations 
conducted in 2008 revealed a decreased number of cases 
involving narcotic substances of synthetic origin, such 
as methamphetamine, amphetamine, and Ecstasy (MDMA), as 
well as diverted licit opiates such as codeine. 
According to the Moldovan Ministry of Interior (MOI), 
domestic drug traffickers remain closely connected to 
organized crime in neighboring countries such as Turkey, 
Israel, Ukraine, Romania and Russia.  Moldovan 
authorities also reported an increase in homemade drugs. 
Control over the movement of licit narcotic and 
psychotropic substances, as well as precursors, is 
maintained by the permanent Drug Control Committee of 
the Ministry of Health. 
 
Country Actions Against Drugs in 2008 
------------------------------------- 
 
¶3. Policy Initiatives: The Ministry of Interior is 
responsible for counternarcotics law enforcement.   Its 
Drug Enforcement Unit, formerly known as the Anti-Drug 
Unit, has 78 officers nationwide.  The unit continues to 
strengthen its efforts to counter narcotics activity 
based on the following Government of Moldova (GOM) 
actions: 
 
-- Government Decision no.314, passed March 17, 2007. 
This decision approved the National Plan of Action for 
the years 2007-2009 to prevent drug abuse and drug 
smuggling.  It covers the activities of the MOI and 
Ministry of Health; 
 
-- MOI's Drug Enforcement Strategy for 2008-2012.  This 
strategy aims to prevent drug abuse and drug smuggling; 
 
-- European Union (EU) Commission report dated April 3, 
¶2008.  The EU-Moldova Plan of Action for 2005-2007 was 
successfully implemented.  A new agreement and 
subsequent Plan of Action are in the negotiation phase 
and will be eventually signed by the GOM and the EU; 
 
¶4. Pursuant to its mission of curbing the threat of 
transnational crime, the Ministry of Interior 
established the Department of Operative Service in April 
¶2006.  This department was created to ensure effective 
cooperation among existing GOM law enforcement 
authorities in combating cross-border crime. 
Additionally, the Drug Enforcement Unit and other law 
enforcement agencies drafted a Common Action Plan to 
combat the trafficking of drugs (and precursors) by 
means of railway transport.  This plan involved the 
Ministry of Interior, Information and Security Service, 
Customs Service, Border Guards Service and Ministry of 
Transportation and Roads. 
 
Law Enforcement Efforts 
----------------------- 
 
¶5.  Moldovan authorities registered 1,747 drug-related 
cases in the first nine months of 2008, compared with 
1,985 cases during the same period in 2007.  In 96.7% of 
drug-related cases, a criminal investigation was 
initiated, with 70.9% of these cases going to trial.  In 
2008, 20.8 kg of poppy straw and 1.611 liters of liquid 
opium were seized through September, compared to 95 kg 
of poppy straw and 10 liters of opium seized for the 
same period in 2007.  Marijuana seizures in 2008 
constituted 151.4 kg, compared to 230 kg seized during 
¶2007.  Synthetic drug seizures also decreased 
significantly in 2008.  In 2007 170 Ecstasy pills were 
seized, compared to 31,265 pills in 2007.  One ml of 
methamphetamine and 480 grams of amphetamine were seized 
in 2008, compared to 189 ml and 881 grams in 2007. 
Likewise, 200 pills of codeine were seized in 2008 
versus 950 pills in 2007.  LSD seizure, however, 
increased from 2 LSD saturated papers (2 doses) through 
September 2007, to 231 LSD saturated papers (231 doses) 
during the same period in 2008. 
 
¶6. Through September 2008, the Drug Enforcement Unit's 
identification of drug distribution cases increased by 
44.4%.  In 2008, 104 crimes were detected, versus 72 for 
the same period in 2007.  Of the 104 crimes of drug 
distribution this year, 21 were committed by the same 
criminal group.  In 189 cases, extremely large 
quantities of drugs were seized (51 more than during the 
same period in 2007).  Through September 2008, police 
detected 61 cases of illegal storage of psychotropic 
substances and 16 cases of smuggling of narcotic 
substances. 
 
¶7. As a result of police action directed towards the 
identification and seizure of narcotic substances, over 
300 kg of drugs were seized, an unprecedented amount. 
Seizures of heroin increased considerably in 2008 to 207 
kg from only 1.676 grams last year through September 
¶2007.  This was primarily the result of one very large 
drug bust which took place only one block from the U.S. 
Embassy, where a single load of 200 kg of blocked heroin 
from Afghanistan was apprehended.  In 2008, 69 cases of 
illicit circulation of heroin were registered, compared 
to only 11 cases in 2007. 
 
¶8. In 2008, police identified and apprehended an 
international criminal organization which dealt in the 
smuggling, production and distribution of cocaine.  As a 
result, 250 liters of coconut oil mixed with cocaine 
from Colombia and 5.5 kg of stand-alone cocaine were 
seized.  Three clandestine laboratories were discovered 
with the equipment to extract, press, and pack cocaine. 
Weapons were also seized as a result of this operation. 
The exact quantity of cocaine that could be extracted 
from the coconut oil has not been determined, but is 
approximated to be 25 kg.  Moldova does not have the 
laboratory facilities to adequately process and analyze 
this haul. 
 
¶9. Moldova will need to invest significant resources in 
education, border control, and further law enforcement 
initiatives if it hopes to stem the growth of domestic 
drug use.  Because of its entrenched poverty and the 
scarcity of government resources, significant additional 
government investment is unlikely.  Moldova remains the 
poorest country in Europe. 
 
¶10. In response to MoldovaQs call for international 
monitoring of the border along the secessionist, break- 
away region of Transnistria, the EU dispatched a Border 
Assistance Mission (EUBAM) in December 2005 to help stem 
the flow of illegal trade between Ukraine and Moldova, 
and to crack down on smuggling, strengthen customs 
procedures, and facilitate cross-border cooperation. 
EUBAM's activities are based on the Memorandum of 
Agreement signed between Moldova, Ukraine, and the 
European Commission.  The parties agreed to extend the 
mandate of EUBAM until November 2009. 
 
Corruption 
---------- 
 
¶11. Corruption at all levels is systemic within Moldova. 
The Center for Combating Economic Crimes and Corruption 
(CCECC) is the law enforcement agency responsible for 
investigating corruption allegations, including those 
related to narcotics. The CCECC has been accused of 
political bias in targeting its investigations, although 
not in regard to narcotics cases.  The GOM as a matter 
of policy does not encourage or facilitate the 
production or distribution of drugs or money laundering 
from illegal drug transactions. 
 
¶12. On October 9, 2007, the U.S. Millennium Challenge 
CorporationQs Threshold Country Program officially 
launched its implementation phase in Moldova.  With 
$24.7 million in MCC assistance over two years, Moldova 
seeks to reduce corruption in the public sector through 
judicial reform, health care reform, tax reform, customs 
reform, and reform of the police agencies and CCECC. 
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Overseas 
Prosecutorial Development, Assistance, and Training has 
provided technical assistance and training for the 
CCECC.  DOJQs International Criminal Investigative 
Training Assistance Program has provided technical 
assistance and training to the MOI and Customs 
Department. 
 
Agreements and Treaties 
----------------------- 
 
¶13. Moldova is party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention, the 
1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and the 
1961 UN Single Convention.  Moldova is also party to the 
UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and 
its protocols on trafficking in persons and migrant 
smuggling. 
 
Cultivation/Production 
---------------------- 
 
¶14. Each year, between June and August, the Ministry of 
Interior launches a special law enforcement operation 
called QOperation Poppy".  This operation targets 
illicit poppy, hemp, and marijuana fields for 
eradication and reinvigorates other counter-drug 
efforts.  As a result of Operation Poppy in 2008, 579 
criminal cases involving the illegal cultivation of 
poppy and cannabis were initiated.  The cases included 
the following: 445 cases of the cultivation of poppy 
plants (resulting in the eradication of 15.768 kg of raw 
material) and 134 cases of the cultivation of cannabis 
(resulting in the eradication of 8.845 kg of raw 
material). 
 
Drug Flow/Transit 
----------------- 
 
¶15. Seizures of illicit narcotics in 2008 continue to 
indicate that Moldova remains primarily a trans-shipment 
country for narcotics.  Information provided by the MOI 
indicates that two of the predominant heroin routes are 
from Ukraine through Moldova into Western Europe and 
from Turkey through Romania/Moldova into Russia and 
near-by states.  The major cocaine route is from 
Colombia through Panama to Ukraine to Moldova then into 
Western Europe. 
 
Domestic Programs/Demand Reduction 
---------------------------------- 
 
¶16. In 2008, the Ministry of Interior reinvigorated its 
efforts regarding the provision of social services and 
on strengthening the relationship between the police and 
society.  The MOI and local NGO "New Life" organized a 
training program in "Creation and Development of 
Assistance Groups," covering the northern and southern 
regions of the country.  MOI also organized a series of 
lectures at educational institutions in the country 
aimed at emphasizing the dangers of drug abuse to young 
people.  Posters and brochures containing information 
about the consequences of drug use and ways to protect 
oneself from drug pushers' solicitations were 
distributed.  The MOI publicized information about cases 
involving the apprehension and arrest of drug 
traffickers, by means of press conferences, television 
shows, high-profile media releases,and announcements on 
its internet site.  In Augus and September 2008, the 
MOI augmented its collaoration with local public 
administrations by holing two working meetings which 
took place in diferent parts of the country.  These 
meetings invoved representatives of public 
administrations, edcation departments, health 
departments, NGOs, an UN agencies, along with narcotics 
drug specialits, local council representatives, 
prosecutors, nd local police.  They discussed drug 
abuse prevntion and counternarcotics activities. 
 
¶17. Private drug treatment is an option only for the 
wealtiest of drug abusers.  The GOM and NGOs continue 
to provide information about narcotics and conductsome 
educational and media campaigns. Neither NGs nor the 
government offer adequate drug treatment for those 
already addicted. 
 
U.S. Policy Initiatives:  Bilateral Cooperation 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
¶18. Ongoing U.S. Government (USG) training and the 
provision of equipment are designed to improve the 
ability of police to investigate and infiltrate 
organized crime and narcotics enterprises.  The USG also 
offers assistance in customs and border control, with 
programs specifically aimed at strengthening Moldovan 
border control.  Although not specifically related to 
narcotics, these programs have a Qspin-off effectQ of 
reducing the flow of illegal goods through Moldova, 
including narcotics.  During 2008, the USG financed 
basic and specialized law enforcement training programs 
via the Department of StateQs Bureau of International 
Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), which 
included narcotics enforcement modules.  INL also 
supported the GOM through the donation of equipment. 
The USG supported visits to the U.S. for police, anti- 
corruption, and customs officers for various capacity- 
building and developmental programs.  These programs 
focused on enhancing techniques related to combating 
corruption, money laundering, illicit drug trafficking, 
and organized crime. 
 
The Road Ahead 
-------------- 
 
¶19.  The U.S. and Moldova continue to work together 
through U.S. assistance programs to help improve the 
ability of Moldovan law enforcement to target the 
movement of illicit goods and persons through Moldovan 
territory. 
 
CHAUDHRY