VZCZCXYZ0001
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHTA #2196/01 3561048
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 221048Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY ASTANA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7048

UNCLAS ASTANA 002196 
 
STATE FOR INL/AAE, SCA/CEN, SCA/RA 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL SNAR KCRM KCOR KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: 2009-2010 INCSR PART 1, DRUGS AND CHEMICAL 
CONTROL 
 
REF: STATE 97228 
 
¶1.  In response to reftel, the text of Part 1 of the International 
Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) for Kazakhstan follows in 
paragraphs 2-67. 
 
SUMMARY 
 
¶2.  Kazakhstan is primarily a transit country for drug trafficking 
and is located on the northern route from Afghanistan.  According to 
the UN Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Kazakhstan and its Central 
Asian neighbors are increasingly becoming active consumers of Afghan 
opiates transited along the northern route.  In 2009, the government 
of Kazakhstan developed new approaches to fight drug trafficking and 
consumption, focusing its attention on prevention and supply 
reduction and prioritizing the strengthening of its southern border. 
 Law enforcement agencies acknowledge that civil society, NGOs, and 
mass media are essential partners in combating the problem of 
narcotics. 
 
¶3.  The government has paid a great deal of attention to the 
international fight against drug trafficking and the regional 
coordination of efforts.  Kazakhstan continues to implement two 
large-scale programs to combat corruption and drug trafficking. 
Kazakhstan is party to the UN Convention against Illicit Trafficking 
of Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances and the Convention against 
Corruption. 
 
STATUS OF COUNTRY 
 
¶4.  Its geographic location, transportation infrastructure, open 
borders, and economic and social stability have made Kazakhstan a 
major transit zone for narcotics.  Kazakhstan, concerned about 
possible increases in crime caused by the global financial crisis, 
adopted a road map to decrease unemployment.  The Minister of 
Interior attributed the 10% decrease in crime to this program. 
 
¶5.  The traffic of Afghan opiates and growth of marijuana in 
Southern Kazakhstan affect the drug situation in Kazakhstan.  This 
year, Georgian, Nigerian, Mongolian, Afghan, Ghanaian, and Russian 
citizens have been arrested for narco-trafficking along with 
citizens from throughout Central Asia.  The main drugs consumed in 
Kazakhstan are marijuana and heroin.  Heroin has rapidly overtaken 
opium, the traditional drug of choice in Kazakhstan. 
 
GOVERNMENT DEVELOPMENTS 
 
¶6.  Three law enforcement agencies combat drug trafficking in 
Kazakhstan -- the Committee for National Security (KNB), the Customs 
Control Committee (CCC) and the Ministry of Interior (MVD).  A part 
of KNB, the Border Guard Service (BGS) inspects people and vehicles 
for the presence of drugs on the border.  KNB also has a Division on 
Combating International Drug Trafficking, which works both on the 
border and inside the country, and participates in controlled 
delivery operations outside of the country.  This Committee focuses 
on disrupting drug channels and trafficking sources and  tracks the 
number of trafficking rings and criminal organizations thwarted 
rather than the amount of drugs seized.  The CCC of the Ministry of 
Finance is also present on the border.  MVD through its Committee on 
Combating Drugs and Control over the Circulation of Drugs (KBN) 
combats trafficking through its regional counter-narcotics 
divisions.  The MVD's Committee of Internal Troops provides security 
in prisons and, with the Ministry of Justice's Committee of Criminal 
and Executive Systems, combats drug trafficking in prisons.  The 
Ministry of Defense's Military Police focuses on drug trafficking in 
the military. 
 
¶7.  In existence since 2004, the KBN coordinates the 
counter-narcotics work of ministries, agencies, and NGOs.  It works 
with international organizations and conducts anti-drug information 
campaigns and other demand-reduction activities.  An interagency 
commission chaired by the Minister of Interior considers the 
progress of anti-drug programs. The KBN is interested in new methods 
to evaluate officers and investigate drug-related crimes and 
money-laundering cases.   It also wants to explore a new 
registration systems for drug addicts. 
 
¶8.  The KBN recently began to double its staff and increase the 
capacity of its special divisions in high-risk areas -- Delta-Dolina 
in the Chu Valley to combat the local production of marijuana, Yug 
in Shymkent, and Center in Karaganda.  The Yug special division will 
fight trafficking in the South Kazakhstan and Almaty Oblasts, and 
the Center division will work in the Karaganda, Pavlodar, North 
Kazakhstan, and Kostanai Oblasts.  The government determined six 
internal narcotics checkpoints to be not as effective as expected, 
because these stationary posts were easily detoured, the 
construction was not completed, and the budget was not sufficient to 
provide necessary equipment to the posts.  The KBN now plans to 
focus its efforts on mobile groups, which can better patrol 
high-risk areas.  It will move personnel from the checkpoints to the 
newly-established special units in Shymkent and Karaganda. 
 
 
¶9.  In 2005, the government of Kazakhstan launched a 2006-2014 
strategy to combat drug addiction and trafficking.  This year, the 
government introduced the next three-year program to implement the 
strategy. 
 
¶10.  In 2008, the government amended its counter-narcotics laws, 
which strengthened the legislation as provided for in Article 24 of 
the UN Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and 
Psychotropic Substances.  Kazakhstan also adheres to Article 11 of 
the Convention when it participates in controlled deliveries, which 
have been conducted with neighboring countries including China. 
 
¶11.  The 2009-2011 program also provides for drug-demand reduction. 
Government agencies plan to implement computer-based training 
programs in schools and increase the number of projects with NGOs. 
Currently, 1,400 police officers are working in city schools.  The 
program will expand the number of police officers working in schools 
and will add police to large schools in rural areas.  The program 
will also strengthen treatment and rehabilitation for drug addicts. 
 
 
 
¶12.  Based on UN recommendations and positive results in some 
European countries, the KBN is developing a draft law to provide 
treatment instead of imprisonment for drug-addicted criminals.  The 
law would permit a suspended sentence to allow treatment. 
 
¶13.  The Criminal Procedural Code was also amended to allow for the 
retention of only the amount of seized narcotics required for 
forensic testing.  The minimum amount will be retained and entered 
into evidence, along with the forensic report, during trial.  The 
rest of the seized drugs will be destroyed immediately to avoid the 
serious problem of resale of seized heroin by corrupt police. 
 
¶14.  In June 2008, the Kazakhstani government amended the Criminal, 
Criminal Procedural, and Administrative Codes to strengthen 
punishment for drug-related crimes.  These amendments were 
introduced in line with article 24 of the UN Convention against 
Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, which 
allows for stricter national measures than provided for in the 
Convention.  The new law provides for life imprisonment for serious 
drug-related crimes, including trafficking in large quantities, 
participation in drug-related crimes as part of a criminal 
organization, sale of drugs in educational institutions and/or to 
minors, and sale or distribution of drugs resulting in death. 
 
¶15.  Kazakhstan conducted a large-scale information campaign about 
the amendments because many drug couriers are citizens of 
Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, who traffic drugs to support 
their families. 
 
¶16.  Article 319-1 of the Administrative Code penalizes owners of 
entertainment facilities, such as bars and clubs, who do not take 
measures to stop the sales or consumption of drugs or psychotropic 
substances.  Fines are determined by the size of the business and 
based on the monthly calculated index (MCI), which is determined 
annually and is the basis of all fines, taxes, and benefits for both 
individuals and businesses.  MCI is currently 1,296 tenge ($8.64). 
During 2009, the government carried out operations and raids to stop 
distribution and consumption of drugs in entertainment centers.  As 
a result, 12 criminal cases were opened and the owners of four 
entertainment centers were fined. 
 
¶17.  The 2006-2008 Astana Drug Free City program, announced in 
September 2006, focuses on demand reduction, treatment of drug 
addiction, and combat against drug trafficking in the capital. 
Pleased by its effectiveness, the Astana Maslikhat (City Council) 
extended the program.  The MVD, working with other law-enforcement 
agencies, uncovered 201 drug-related crimes (a slight increase over 
last year's 198), including 66 drug sales (last year 54).  It seized 
over 112 kilos of drugs, including 7.7 kilos of heroin, closed three 
drug houses, blocked two trafficking channels, dismantled one 
organized criminal group, and closed 38 drug markets.  A broad 
anti-drug information campaign was also conducted. 
 
¶18.  The issue of border security came to the forefront this year 
during the negotiations among Kazakhstan, Russia, and Belarus to 
enter into a customs union.  As part of the agreement, Kazakhstan 
may withdraw customs from its border with Russia as soon as July 
2011, which has led Russia to express concerns about the security of 
Kazakhstan's southern border.  In May 2009, the Government of 
Kazakhstan approved the 2009-2011 Program on Combating Drug 
Addiction and Narco-Business with a total budget of 39.7 billion 
tenge (approximately $260 million).  The program especially 
prioritizes strengthening the southern border with radar, patrol 
vehicles, and communications equipment.  Customs checkpoints will be 
equipped with X-ray, automated cargo control systems, and other 
modern inspection equipment.  The government will provide 
counternarcotics divisions of the Ministry of Interior (MVD) with 
three mobile scanning machines for inspection of trucks in the 
 
South-Kazakhstan, Kyzylorda, Almaty and Zhambyl Oblasts.  This 
program requires that the MVD pay special attention to the 
disruption of internal drug-distribution networks. 
 
¶19.  Last year the government of Kazakhstan established a security 
zone along 107 kilometers of its 2,351 kilometer border with 
Uzbekistan.  This year, a second 209-kilometer zone is planned for 
the border with Kyrgyzstan.  The Border Guard Service has aviation 
divisions and plans to increase its use of helicopters to search for 
narco-traffickers. 
 
¶20.  The government of Kazakhstan has also focused on strengthening 
security in the run up to its 2010chairmanship of the Organization 
for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).  Kazakhstan has 
expressed its desire to strengthen regional security and develop 
non-military responses to the fight against terrorism, extremism, 
drug trafficking, and organized crime.  On August 29, President 
Nazarbayev signed a decree to establish the Path to Europe program 
for 2009-2011, which is aimed at increasing cooperation between 
Kazakhstan and Europe. 
 
¶21.  Kazakhstan strengthened its cooperation with the Russian 
Federation this year.  The Federal Service on Drugs Control (FSKN) 
of the Russian Federation has complained that the amount of drugs 
transported into Russia has not significantly decreased despite the 
work of international organizations and law enforcement agencies in 
Kazakhstan.  In response, Kazakhstan and Russia held numerous 
meetings in 2009 to discuss joint efforts to combat drug trafficking 
and concluded agreements on cooperation.  Kazakhstan and Russia 
conducted two joint operations within the agreements, and the FSKN 
is providing training courses to law enforcement agencies in 
Kazakhstan.  On August 21, at an international meeting on border 
cooperation, the law enforcement agencies of Kazakhstan and Russia 
signed a protocol to their agreement, which provides for cooperation 
between the Western-Kazakhstan oblasts of Atyrau, Aktobe, and 
Mangystau and the Astrakhan, Samara, Orenburg, Saratov, and 
Volgograd oblasts of the Russian Federation. 
 
¶22.  Inaugurated on December 9, the Central Asian Regional 
Information and Coordination Center (CARICC) was created to 
facilitate information exchange and analysis, and to assist in the 
coordination of operational activities of regional law-enforcement 
agencies.  Ratified by the parliaments of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, 
Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan, the CARICC agreement 
entered into force on March 2.  The President of the Russian 
Federation signed the agreement on September 4.  The CARICC Council 
approved a two-year strategic plan and CARICC-staff rules and 
regulations.  The Council approved observer status for Austria, 
Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Interpol, Pakistan, and the 
United States.  On September 16, the government of Kazakhstan signed 
the Host Country Agreement with CARICC, which covers the privileges 
and immunities of CARICC, its staff and liaison officers from the 
member states and observer countries in the host country.  The 
government of Kazakhstan allocated $2.7 million for the renovation 
of the CARICC building.  Canada, the Czech Republic, Great Britain, 
Finland, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Turkey, and the United States 
have financially contributed to CARICC's creation.  The total budget 
through 2011 is $15.4 million. 
 
LAW-ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS 
 
¶23.  Kazakhstan actively fights drug trafficking and works with 
neighboring countries to share information.  The BGS and Customs 
Control Committee of the Ministry of Finance secure the border.  The 
MVD works within the country, and the KNB focuses on organized 
criminal groups and drug cartels. 
 
¶24.  During the first nine months of 2009, law-enforcement agencies 
registered 7,840 drug-related crimes, a 0.5% decrease from last 
year.  Of the total, 7,389 were registered by the MVD, 279 by the 
KNB, and 160 by Customs.  Of the total drug-related crimes, 2,047 
were sales-related cases, an increase from last year's 1,849. 
During the same time period, drug trafficking cases (206 cases) 
dropped 30.6%.  Of those cases, 88 were registered by the MVD, 23 by 
the KNB, and 92 by Customs.  During the time period, the government 
shut 29 drug houses and seized 24.244 tons of drugs and psychotropic 
substances (a 4.5% increase from last year's 23.2 tons).  There was 
a 57.6% decrease in heroin seizures (641.3 kilos), a 92.9% increase 
in opium seizures (95.3 kilos), a 33% increase in hashish seizures 
(432.6 kilos), and an 8.2% increase in marijuana seizures (22.937 
metric tons). 
 
¶25.  During the past year, Kazakhstani law-enforcement agencies have 
increased their focus on operations against entire cartels and 
controlled deliveries instead of attempting to increase seizures by 
arresting as many low-level couriers as possible.  The KNB conducted 
20 international counter-narcotics operations, blocked 49 
international drug trafficking routes, and dismantled 57 drug 
trafficking groups.  The MVD dismantled eight organized criminal 
groups, members of which had committed 40 drug-related crimes 
throughout the country.  The MVD conducted 21 controlled delivery 
 
operations, including operations with Kyrgyzstan and Russia.  As a 
result of these operations, it seized 555.7 kilos of drugs, 
including 21 kilos of heroin. 
 
¶26.  During the first nine months of 2009, the number of people 
charged with administrative offenses has increased 93.3% (4,816). 
Of the total, 2,739 people were arrested for driving while under the 
influence of narcotics.  Article 320 of the Administrative Code 
covers the illegal manufacture, processing, purchase, storage, 
transportation, and/or distribution of drugs, psychotropic 
substances, and precursors for any purpose other than sales. 
Individuals charged under this section can be fined from five to 10 
MCI (1 MCI equals $8.64) or jailed for up to ten days.  Officials 
can be fined 15-20 MCI and jailed for up to 15 days.  Fines for 
small- and medium-sized businesses are 25-30 MCI, and for large 
enterprises 40-50 MCI.  During 2009, 2,006 people were charged under 
article 320.  As amended in July 2008, article 55 of the 
Administrative Code allows judges to sentence individuals up to 15 
days in jail for certain types of drug-related administrative 
violations.  However, pregnant women, women with children under the 
age of 14, minors, handicapped people, women over the age of 58, and 
men over the age of 63 cannot be jailed. 
 
¶27.  In 2009, 5,281 people were arrested for drug-related crimes. 
The number of women arrested decreased by 14.3% (from 638 to 547), 
and minors decreased by 21.9% (from 32 people to 25).  The number of 
foreign citizens arrested for drug-related crimes decreased by 30.7% 
(from 326 to 226), with the majority from Kyrgyzstan (109 people), 
Russia (72), and Uzbekistan (59). 
 
¶28.  During Operation Temir Tor, the KNB dismantled a large, 
regional drug group that transported opiates from Tajikistan through 
Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to Russia.  As a result, the KNB seized 
over 42 kilos of heroin, opened five criminal cases, and arrested 
one leader and eight members of the group.  The KNB discovered that 
the group's profits were laundered through various investments, and 
a criminal case for tax invasion was filed against the wife of the 
group's leader. 
 
¶29.  The KNB also stopped a large, regional drug group transporting 
opiates to Eastern Kazakhstan during Operation Valkiriya.  As a 
result, KNB arrested the leader and six members who operated a sales 
network in the East Kazakhstan Oblast and seized four kilos of 
heroin, 1.65 million tenge ($11,000), over $11,000 in U.S. currency, 
1,500 rubles, and 600 grams of explosives. 
 
¶30.  The Collective Security Treaty Organization (SCTO) conducted 
the Kanal-2009 interstate operation September 22-29.  The operation 
reportedly resulted in the detection of 231 crimes and seizures of 
1.8 metric tons of drugs, including 25.6 kilos of heroin, and over 
523 metric tons of precursor chemicals. 
 
¶31.  A scheme to use fund transfers to pay drug dealers, previously 
seen in Russia, has been found in Kazakhstan.  In this scheme, the 
purchaser is given information on a newly-opened bank account.  When 
funds are transferred, the location of a hidden cache is revealed, 
thus minimizing the direct contact between seller and purchaser. 
When the scheme was uncovered, police discovered that 15 million 
tenge ($100,000) had been transferred through accounts.  During a 
search of an organizer's residence, police found 150 lost or stolen 
ID cards, which had been used to open new bank accounts. 
 
¶32.  Drug dealers also smuggle drugs into jails and temporary 
detention facilities, including through hiding them in parcels 
brought into the facilities.  In one case in Akmolinskaya Oblast, an 
attorney was arrested with 5.32 grams of heroin hidden under his 
belt. 
 
¶33.  Traffickers continue to search for new concealment methods. 
Recently, traffickers attempted to mask the scent of heroin from 
canines by coating shipments with powdered wolves' teeth. 
Traffickers also soak clothing in a heroin solution.  When the 
clothing is delivered the heroin can then be extracted. 
 
¶34.  Customs had large seizures this year.  On June 16, Customs 
canine officers in the Kostanaiskaya Oblast on the border with 
Russia found 63 packets of heroin weighing 19.676 kilos in a 
vehicle's tire.  The owner of the vehicle was from Kyrgyzstan en 
route to Russia. 
 
CORRUPTION 
 
¶35.  The government of Kazakhstan does not encourage or facilitate 
illicit production or distribution of narcotic or psychotropic drugs 
or other controlled substances.   It also does not support the 
laundering of proceeds from illegal drug trafficking.  There have 
been no cases this year of senior government officials engaged in 
the illicit production or distribution of drugs.  In March, Prime 
Minister Masimov stated that traffickers would not attempt to 
transport large quantities across the border without protection from 
law-enforcement officers.  Masimov thus called for the creation of a 
 
special unit to root out government officials working with 
traffickers.   However, creation of such a unit remains unconfirmed. 
 
 
¶36.  The MVD actively fights narco-corruption in its ranks. 
Recruits are vetted, and special divisions investigate crimes 
committed by police.  Ten police officers were arrested this year 
for drug-related crimes.  The MVD is also working on new methods to 
prevent bribery and corruption and will conduct preventative 
measures as part of its 2009-2010 anti-corruption plan.  Presently, 
the average police salary is approximately $200-$266 a month.  The 
new plan includes bonuses of $200-$333 for not taking bribes. 
 
¶37.  An anti-narcotics police officer in the Northern Kazakhstan 
Oblast was arrested for accepting a 200,000 tenge ($1,333) bribe 
from a trafficker.  A criminal case was opened. 
 
¶38.  The KNB arrested an MVD employee for selling 0.28 grams of 
heroin.  KNB officers found 58.97 grams of heroin and 1.54 grams of 
marijuana in the employee's residence.  A criminal case for storage 
and sales of narcotics was opened. 
 
¶39.  Two police officers were fired after traces of narcotics were 
found during a blood test.  No criminal case was opened, because no 
drugs were found on their persons or in their homes. 
 
AGREEMENTS AND TREATIES 
 
¶40.  Law-enforcement agencies in Kazakhstan cooperate within 
intergovernmental interagency agreements with the Drug Control 
Agencies (DCA) of the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Russia, and 
Uzbekistan.  The agencies of these countries conduct joint 
operations, investigations, demand-reduction programs, and exchange 
of operative information and methodology. 
 
¶41.  Kazakhstan plans to sign an agreement with Afghanistan on 
cooperation in the fight against trafficking and abuse of drugs, 
psychotropic substances, and precursors.  Kazakhstan is also working 
on new agreements with the DCAs of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. 
 
 
CULTIVATION/PRODUCTION 
 
¶42.  Kazakhstan produces wild marijuana, ephedra, and opium poppies. 
 Such drugs grow on over 1.2 million hectares in the Almaty, 
Zhambyl, South Kazakhstan, Kyzylorda ,and East Kazakhstan Oblasts. 
The largest source of marijuana is the Chu Valley in the Zhambyl 
Oblast, in which wild marijuana with a high THC content grows on an 
estimated 138,000 hectares.  Experts estimate that 145,000 metric 
tons of marijuana or as much as 6,000 tons of hashish could be 
produced annually.  The government of Kazakhstan continues to 
consider possible licit industrial uses for the Chu Valley 
marijuana.  Various projects have been proposed, but nothing has 
been approved. 
 
¶43.  The KBN established two special divisions in 2008 to combat 
marijuana trafficking.  The Ontustik (South) Special Division 
focuses on organized crime in South Kazakhstan, and Delta-Dolina 
specifically focuses on illicit activities in the Chu Valley.  The 
work of these divisions is believed to have contributed to the 
recent 17% increase in marijuana and hashish prices.  The divisions 
still require additional staffing, vehicles, and satellite 
communications equipment. 
 
¶44.  Operation Mak (Poppy) is conducted annually from June 1 through 
October 20 to combat the marijuana harvest and dismantle drug 
cartels in the Chu Valley.  During the operation, the KBN closely 
cooperates with the BGS and Customs to create a security belt around 
the valley to prevent the traffic of marijuana while Delta-Dolina 
patrols the valley.  As a result, law-enforcement agencies seized 
16.1 tons of drugs.  The MVD registered 3,300 drug-related crimes, 
including 32 cases of trafficking. 
 
DRUG FLOW/TRANSIT 
 
¶45.   The main types of drugs trafficked through Kazakhstan are 
Afghani opiates (heroin and opium), marijuana, and hashish.  There 
was no manufacture of synthetic drugs in Kazakhstan in 2009. 
 
¶46.  The primary trafficking route through Kazakhstan and Russia 
transits Almaty, Karaganda, Semey, Novosibirsk, Barnaul, and Omsk. 
Drugs travel over land by rail, bus, and vehicle.  Trafficking on 
the border with Kyrgyzstan is increasing as the border with 
Uzbekistan is strengthened.  The MVD believes that drug traffickers 
cross the mountains on foot or horse.  The number of drug mules 
swallowing drugs has increased on the border with Kyrgyzstan.  In 
June, a passenger on a train from Bishkek to Novokuznezk was 
transported to the hospital after suffering intestinal problems. 
After his death, it was discovered that he had swallowed 45 packets 
of heroin, totaling 284 grams.  Another drug mule traveling by bus 
from Pavlodar to Novosibirsk survived after seven of the nine 
 
packets of heroin dissolved in his stomach.  The two remaining 
capsules contained 13.6 grams of heroin. 
 
¶47.  With the transit of narcotics through Kazakhstan, the drug 
addiction rate in the country continues to increase.  Experts 
estimate that 10-15% of the opiates trafficked through Kazakhstan 
remain in the domestic market.  Narcotics are primarily trafficked 
over land on trains and in trucks with fruits and vegetables. 
Law-enforcement agencies continue to complain about the use of 
International Road Transport Convention (TIR) carnets by drug 
traffickers.  Customs officials can only inspect trucks traveling 
with a TIR carnet when the truck is sealed at its departure and at 
its destination.  Customs officials of a transited country can open 
and inspect the vehicle only in exceptional circumstances.  The 
2009-2011 Program on Combating Drug Addiction and Narco-Business 
provides for the purchase of scanners for border checkpoints and 
inside the country in order to detect contraband in sealed trucks. 
 
¶48.  According to the MVD, one kilo of heroin costs $1,000-$1,500 on 
the Afghan-Tajik border, $4,000 upon entry into Kazakhstan, and 
$20,000 when it enters Russia from Kazakhstan.  The wholesale price 
of heroin is $30,000 per kilo in Europe. 
¶49.  In July, the Head of the KNB Division on Combating 
International Drug Trafficking stated that the use of heavy drugs 
has decreased since the beginning of the financial crisis, because 
drug users no longer have cash.  The barter of vehicles and other 
property for drugs has also increased.  The KNB reported a 
corresponding increase in the production and traffic of light 
drugs. 
DOMESTIC PROGRAMS/DEMAND REDUCTION 
 
¶50.  The MVD closely works with the Ministries of Culture and 
Information, Health, Education and Science, and Tourism and Sport to 
conduct drug-demand-reduction information campaigns.  They have 
conducted 6,500 events in the country, including 275 seminars, 4,031 
lectures and meetings, 345 round tables, and 599 sport competitions 
and tournaments.  Each year Kazakhstan commemorates the 
International Day against Drug Addiction on June 26. 
 
¶51.  The total number of registered drug addicts has decreased by 
1.6% to 53,883 while the number of drug addicts under the age of 18 
has increased by 2.1% to 3,839.  Some theorize that this year's 
increase results from the government's efforts to reach minors. 
 
¶52.  National television stations and newspapers distribute 
information on the fight against drug trafficking.  They regularly 
publish articles about police operations and drug-demand reduction 
campaigns.  The MVD publishes the magazines Narkopost and Future 
without Drugs.  The Ministry of Education and Science introduced 
special demand-reduction curricula at schools, which include 
lectures by Treatment experts, psychologists, and police. 
 
¶53.  Civil society and human-rights activists opposed last year's 
proposal to drug test all students.  The Ministry of Health proposed 
testing only high-risk groups after only 0.5% of 5,300 students in 
Almaty tested positive during a 2006 pilot project.  Alexandr 
Katkov, Acting Head of the Pavlodar Republican Scientific and 
Practical Center of Medical and Social Problems believes simple drug 
testing is not the answer to solving childhood addiction.  He has 
pushed for psychological testing to determine whether a student is a 
drug user or a drug addict. 
 
¶54.  A government anti-drug program provides for anti-drug education 
for school psychologists and social workers.  The staff of 500 
schools over three years will be trained.  This year, the pilot 
project will be implemented in 75 schools in Pavlodar, Karaganda, 
and Taraz. 
 
¶55.  A pilot project to test methadone therapy was launched in 
Pavlodar and Temirtau and 29 heroin addicts, including 11 that were 
HIV-positive, took part.  Funded by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, 
Tuberculosis, and Malaria, the project provides patients with 
medical and psychological treatment. So far, the project appears to 
have cured four participants of their addiction.  Despite these 
results, the project's funding is due to end soon. 
 
¶56.  Kazakhstan continues to have problems with its old treatment 
system, in which patients had to register and provide their personal 
information.  Many did not seek treatment for fear that their 
information would be provided to the police.  The 2009-2011 Program 
on Combating Drug Addiction and Narco-Business will provide 
confidentiality for those seeking treatment. 
 
¶57.  Kazakhstan's 2006-2010 AIDS Program provides for 
contraceptives, information, educational materials, needle 
exchanges, and free, confidential treatment.  Help-lines and clinics 
provide services. 
 
U.S. POLICY INITIATIVES AND PROGRAMS 
 
BILATERAL COOPERATION 
 
 
¶58.  Post has had relatively good cooperation during the past year 
with all law-enforcement agencies.  To increase the capacity of the 
canine services of law-enforcement agencies, INL funded a series of 
events that included extensive train-the-trainer courses in Austria, 
an International Canine Conference in Kazakhstan, training events in 
Kazakhstan, and the participation of Kazakhstani canine specialists 
in international conferences in Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, and 
Moscow. 
 
¶59.  The KNB's Military Institute, which trains border guards, has 
adopted the Austrian methods to select and train canines and has 
trained one group of cadets in the new curriculum.  The Military 
Institute's Canine Department has conducted an in-service training 
program of BGS canine officers, leading to a number of successful 
seizures on the border.  Three instructors trained in Austria have 
trained approximately 60 canine officers from the MVD and BGS. 
 
¶60.  INL-funded projects are leading to many innovations in the 
canine service, including a study on canine socialization when 
housed with their handlers, the use of dry food, which is healthier 
than the previously-used cooked food.  They now plan to use real 
narcotics to train and are drafting a textbook for used by all 
canine services. 
 
¶61.  Through UNODC, INL continues to provide support to the MVD's 
internal narcotics checkpoints.  UNODC has purchased and installed 
satellite-communication, radio-communications, and office equipment. 
 In 2008, over 10 metric tons of drugs, including heroin, marijuana, 
hashish, and opium, were seized at internal checkpoints. 
 
¶62.  To strengthen its capacity to conduct special operations and 
patrol vulnerable areas, INL provided the MVD with 17 mini-vans and 
four jeeps.  In order to support better data handling by the MVD, 
INL purchased a server to allow for the safe and secure storage of 
data.  INL also supported a two-week counternarcotics training 
course for counter-narcotics officers at the Turkish Academy on 
Combating Organized Crime and Drugs (TADOC).  INL is funding the 
purchase of office equipment and furniture for the MVD's Interagency 
Counter-Narcotics Training Center. 
 
¶63.  To increase the capacity of border guards, INL continues to 
cooperate with the Military Institute and the BGS.  INL funded the 
renovation of and provided equipment to an additional Border Guard 
Field Training Center in Uralsk, Western Kazakhstan and a classroom 
at the Military Institute of the Committee for National Security. 
INL equipped the Aviation Border Guard Training Center in Astana. 
In response to a request from the Military Institute, a study tour 
for five law-enforcement training academies was combined with a 
train-the-trainer course at TADOC.  The study tour provided ideas 
for the curriculum at the MVD's Interagency Counter-Narcotics 
Training Center.  The study tour also introduced various 
computer-based training systems (CBT) that the UNODC program has 
installed in some law-enforcement training centers.  The BGS 
requested CBT software for the border-guard field training centers 
renovated and equipped by INL.  INL provided a language laboratory 
to the Military Institute.  INL purchased 10 busters, nine of which 
will be used for drug detection on the border and one for training 
courses at the Military Institute.  INL purchased 50 flashlights for 
inspection of vehicles and trains, and 25 video cameras for the BGS 
to document inspections, seizures, and arrests. 
 
ROAD AHEAD 
 
¶64.  INL will continue cooperation with the government of Kazakhstan 
to increase its counter-narcotics capacity.  Post will continue to 
provide to operational staff training seminars on drug-courier 
profiling, use of newly-provided equipment, and new operations 
techniques.  INL will continue its cooperation with the BGS and 
provide technical assistance to border checkpoints. 
 
STATISTICAL TABLES 
 
Drug Crop Cultivation 
 
Cannabis: 
 
Experts estimate that 145,000 metric tons of marijuana or as much as 
6,000 tons of hashish could be produced annually in the Chu Valley. 
 
Drug seizures in kilograms: 
 
Heroin 
 
2009 - 641.297; 2008 - 1,514.731; 2007 -  378.895 
 
Opium 
 
2009 - 95.3; 2008 - 14.01; 2007 - 197.29 
 
Marijuana 
 
 
2009 - 22,937; 2008 -  21,196; 2007 -  20,467 
 
Hashish 
 
2009 - 432.591; 2008 - 327.161; 2007 -  187.282 
 
Registered Drug Users 
 
53,883 
 
CHEMICAL CONTROL 
 
¶65.  Kazakhstan complies with article 12 of the UN Convention 
against Illicit Trafficking of Narcotics and Psychotropic 
Substances, which provides that "the parties shall control 
substances frequently used in the illicit manufacture of narcotics 
drugs or psychotropic substances."  The KBN established a special 
office on licensing the legal trade of precursor chemicals, 
psychotropic substances, and drugs.  The office created a single 
unified register of the approximately 1,500 legal entities whose 
activity is related to the trade in chemical precursors. 
 
¶66.  Under current legislation, potassium permanganate and acetic 
anhydride are included in the list of precursor chemicals and are 
subject to state control.  Acetic anhydride is not produced in 
Kazakhstan and is not imported onto its territory.  Acetic anhydride 
has not been used in industry since 2005. 
 
¶67.  Kazakhstan annually conducts Operation Doping, during which 
authorities inspect legal entities for compliance with rules of 
storage, use, and destruction of drugs, psychotropic substances, and 
precursors. 
As a result, the MVD discovered 802 violations, opened 30 criminal 
cases, and seized 980 metric tons of precursor chemicals 
(hydrochloric and sulphuric acid), 11,466 ampoules of drugs, and 
59,000 ampoules of psychotropic substances. 
 
HOAGLAND