The trafficking of Afghan opiates in Central Asia increased significantly between 1991 and 2009, the result of large-scale opium cultivation and heroin manufacturing in Afghanistan. In response to this trend the region’s law enforcement agencies have strengthened countermeasures against drug trafficking with assistance from the international community.
In the late 90sm, Central Asian opiate seizures have averaged at around 9-10 tonnes per year, with highs in 1997 (12 tonnes) and 2000 (14 tonnes), and lows in 1998 (6.1 tonnes), 2005 (6.4 tonnes) and 2009 (6.9 tonnes). From 2008 to 2009, the region’s heroin seizures decreased by 36% to 3.4 tonnes, while opium seizures decreased by 22% to 4.5 tonnes.
Heroin and Opium seizures, 2009
| Nation | Heroin (kg) | Opium(kg) |
|---|---|---|
| Kazakhstan | 731.6 | 171.9 |
| Kyrgyzstan | 341 | 376 |
| Tajikistan | 1,132.7 | 1,040.6 |
| Turkmenistan | 419.7 | 1,259.2 |
| Uzbekistan | 754.7 | 625.8 |
Cannabis is the most commonly seized drug in Central Asia. Cannabis plants grow wild in areas of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, but more shipments of Afghan cannabis and resin are being discovered in Central Asia. There was an upwards trend in seizures from 2005 to 2008, peaking at 35.1 tonnes. In 2009, 34 tonnes of cannabis were seized.