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Kyrgyzstan’s Drug Trade: A Growing Concern with Deep-Seated Corruption

Date: June 29, 2006

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan - The drug trade in Kyrgyzstan has become a major concern for the country and its neighbors.

With an estimated 70,000 to 250,000 drug users in the country, and 60,000 kilograms of heroin trafficked through Kyrgyzstan annually, it’s clear that the problem is only going to grow.

A Lucrative Business

According to Deputy Head of the Organized Crime Fighting Unit, Mamat Tursugbaev, the situation has become more professional and international, with opiate and heroin trafficking becoming a lucrative business. “The drugs mainly pass through the Osh region, known as the ‘Osh knot’, along the Osh-Bishkek highway or the Talas region to Kazakhstan and Russia,” he said.

Corruption Runs Deep

But it’s not just the amount of drugs being trafficked that’s the problem - it’s also the involvement of high-ranking officials in the illegal trade. “Several high-ranking officials are involved in drug smuggling, and it’s difficult to distinguish between criminal groups and law enforcement structures,” said a knowledgeable journalist from Osh.

Complicity among Police

The situation is further complicated by the fact that many police officers are complicit in the illegal trade, with some even re-selling seized drugs for their own profit. “It’s not just a matter of bribery - it’s a deep-seated corruption problem that goes all the way to the top,” said an expert on the drug trade.

Porous Borders and Insecure Infrastructure

The country’s porous borders and insecure infrastructure make it easy for drugs to be smuggled in from neighboring countries, such as Afghanistan and China. And with organized crime groups and political-criminal clans involved in the illegal trade, it’s clear that the problem is only going to get worse unless something is done to address it.

A Comprehensive Approach Needed

In conclusion, the drug trade in Kyrgyzstan is a serious problem that requires immediate attention. With corruption at its core, it will take more than just law enforcement efforts to solve this issue - it will require a comprehensive approach that addresses the underlying causes of the problem and brings those responsible to justice.