Central Asia is a transit region for opiates travelling from Afghanistan to the Russian Federation. Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan all share borders with Afghanistan. The borders of Tajikistan and Turkmenistan have been particularly difficult to control.
Kazakhstan
After opiates enter Kazakhstan they then cross the nation’s North-Western borders into the Russian Federation. Kazakhstan's law enforcement agencies made larger than normal seizures in 2008, which ranged from 100 to 550 kg. No individual seizure in 2009 exceeding 52 kg. Seizures occurred mostly in the nation’s southern regions.
Kyrgyzstan
A total of 96 opiate seizures involving over 100 grams of illicit drugs occurred in Kyrgyzstan in 2009, involving 111 people and 306 kg of illicit drugs (including 208 kg of heroin and 98 kg of Opium). The remainding 411 kg of that year's opiate seizures, involved quanties of less than 100 grams. This could mean that the opiates were intended for local supply or personal use.
Tajikistan
Opiates enter Tajikistan through its 1,300km mountainous border with Northern Afghanistan, before continuing onto Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan by road. Heroin has also been trafficked into the Russian Federation by air and railway. Of the 49 opiate seizures involving over 100 grams of illicit drugs made by Tajikistan’s Drug Control Agency in 2009, 67% involved less than 5 kg. 79% of the nation's total heroin seizures involved less than 5kg. There were two opiate seizures amounting to around 100 kg, including 100 kg of heroin and 109 kg of opium.
Turkmenistan
Opiates enter Turkmenistan from Afghanistan or Iran, before proceeding to Kazakhstan via Uzbekistan or to either Azerbaijan or the Russian Federation via the Caspian Sea.In 2009, Turkmenistan seized almost 2 tonnes of drugs in quantities of over 100 grams, 89% of which were opiates (including 1.3 tonnes of opium and 384kg of heroin). 46% of the nation's opiates seizures occoured in the Turkmenistan-Iran border zones.
Uzbekistan
Opiates enter Uzbekistan from Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, before proceeding to Kazakhstan either directly or via Turkmenistan. Opiates also enter the Russian Federation by air. 84% of all Afghan opiates entering Uzbekistan do so via Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, the remainder crossing the Uzbek-Afghan border into the Termez and Muzrabad districts. Of the 228 opiate seizures involving over 100 grams, 84% totaled to less than 5 kg.