Operation "Harmony 2006"

Illegal manufacture of drugs and distribution is the sphere of activity from which transnational criminal groups receive rather huge income. "Profit rate" is 300-2000% from execution of operation connected with drugs. Therefore, this sphere of activity is attractive for transnational criminal organizations (as well as for particular criminal groups) which wish to gain maximum profit in the short term.

In 2006 cultivation of opium increased in Afghanistan by 59% mainly via increase of cultivation in the southern regions, in accordance with the data of the UNODC. According to the data of annual research, in 2006 crops of opium amounted 165.000 hectares (in 2005 the figure was 104.000 hectares) in Afghanistan.

Notwithstanding the government demolishes part of the harvest, Afghanistan is still dominant in the world market (89%) by distribution of opium and heroin. Hence, it is actual threat of drug transportation from Afghanistan into Western Europe through northern route and passing the Caucuses.

On April 3-5 2006, at the meeting (held in Baku) the GUAM working group for combating drugs the participants agreed to exchange information on drug seizures recorded in each country for drawing up regional joint report on drug confiscation. The results of analytical report were supposed to assist the working sub-group members in the issues of gathering strategic information, planning joint activities and detaining. As a result of the agreement, the GUAM member states via National Law Enforcement Centers began to present their reports on drug seizure. In order to gather as much data as possible, the time for presentation of information was to be from January 1 to November 1, 2006.

The experience of the operation "Harmony 2005" illustrated that the guarantee of success in such operations is to plan thoroughly and gather enough intelligence prior the execution of the operation.

The operation "Harmony 2006" was conducted like the operation "Zaslon II" with the participation of all the GUAM member states. "Zaslon II" was executed in 2005-2006 in the countries of Central Asia and its key aims included:

- Simultaneously exchange information on the transnational criminal groups which conduct their activities in the Eastern Europe and the Caucuses; as well as exchange such information for its further use in execution of next operations and receiving required technical assistance;

- Identification of criminal groups connected with seized drugs, routes used for smuggling, marking, new tendency of smuggling, new means criminal activities of criminals;

- Assessment of the methods used by law enforcement officers combating criminal structures engaged in drug smuggling and if necessary, presentation of suggestion for their development.

In order to limit expenses connected with execution of the operation as well as taking into consideration the previous operations via the suggestion by Euro-Atlantic advisory group the operational headquarters were not used (like "Zaslon II") but abilities of the GUAM national centers. Such operating mode gives opportunity to ensure relevant quantity and extent of intelligence and to check the communicative and functional abilities of law enforcement centers.

The first step for preparation of the Guam member states to conduct operation "Harmony 2006" was the meeting held on April 3-5 2006. The key aim of this meeting was to develop a plan and establish the network of experts combating illegal drug circulation on the regional level by the participants. At the meeting it was decided that the member states would present information on confiscation of opiate and amphetamine, as well as a consignment of cannabis, which quantity exceeds 100 gr. The participants agreed to present information on a consignment with less quantity from the standpoint of the aims operation. Based on the information on seized drugs, the analytical report on the operation "Zaslon II" conducted in 2005 illustrated that the GUAM member states suffer from the northern route through which opiate smuggling is implemented. The aim of the operation "Harmony 2006" was to reveal the changes and in case of changes to define the tendencies.

Information and Analysis - Georgia

As for Georgia, the route for illegal drug transportation is mainly from east to west. Drugs produced in Afghanistan for Western markets are brought to Georgia through Azerbaijan (via Caspian Sea) and leave the country through ground and air borders of northern Abkhazia. Synthetic drug smuggling enters Georgia from Europe via the ports of Black Sea. Consignments from Azerbaijani to West are brought through Gardabani border check point (Red Bridge). In Georgia drugs are transported to west via Poti, Batumi (Adjara) and Sokhumi (Abkhazia) ports where the consignments of drugs are sent to Turkey (Istanbul), Romania (Constance) and Ukraine (Odessa). Synthetic drug smuggling is brought to Europe via small ports and the drugs are mainly hidden in vehicles. Consignments bought in Western Europe enter Georgia via Greece and Turkey. Increase of drug quantity and level of its use is caused by taking and illegal trafficking Subutex (Buprenorphine) in the country.

This type of drug is not recorded in Georgia and is brought from France, Bulgaria and Australia. In 2005 2,58kg heroin, 4,75 kg opium, 23,3 kg marihuana, 1,596 kg cocaine, 4303 pills of Subutex, 0.011 Tramadol (analgesic used as a pain killer), 52 kg hemp/hashish and other drugs of small quantity were seized. During this operation 214 criminals were detained.

Within 8 months 2006, Georgian law enforcement officers seized 4,52 kg heroin, 0,218 kg opium, 0,91 kg marihuana, 4504 pills of Subutex. 254 criminals were detained. In the course of the operation "Harmony" Georgia presented 93 reports on the seizure of drugs (especially Subutex, heroin and marihuana).

Drugs seized in the course of the operation "Harmony 2006"

Georgia

Georgian data on seizure includes the period from January 1 - October 1, 2006. In comparison with the data of 2005, in 2006 cases of heroin seizure increased, but cases of marihuana seizure decreased. Only in five cases more than 150 gr. heroin were seized, but in the rest seizures were from trivial distributors and the final users. The largest quantity of drug seizure took place in Tbilisi in the area of Georgia-Azerbaijan border zone (Gardabani and Marneuli), nearby Georgia-Turkey border (Sarpi), port towns: Batumi and Poti.

Conducting the operation "Harmony 2006", in connection with the above mentioned seizures, 87 criminals, including 11 women, were detained in Georgia. From 76 men 33%, i.e. 26 persons were Georgian citizens of Azerbaijan origin. The most of them were detained in Marneuli region. This fact indicate to contacts of the organized criminal groups and makes possible the cooperation between Georgian and Azerbaijan law enforcement agencies in the joint activities (investigations). All persons detained are Georgian citizens, excluding one Azerbaijani from whom 1,976 kg heroin was seized (one of the largest seizures in 2006). The age of 45% of the criminals is 30-40, but the age of 30% is 40-50%.

Operation "Narcostop 1"

On October 02-04, 2007 joint operation "Narcostop-1" was carried out by the GUAM member countries in the sphere of combat illegal circulation of drugs. Following checkpoints were selected to intensify the control over border points in Georgia during operation: Lagodekhi (Azerbaijan-Georgia); Red Bridge (Azerbaijan-Georgia); Sarpi (Turkey-Georgia), Poti port (Maritime), Tbilisi and Batumi airports.

For maintenance of preoperational works and coordination, for the period from September 26 to September 29, this year, officers of the Guam Law Enforcement Center of the Administration of The Ministry of Internal Affairs visited the checkpoints above before the operation; consequently, the competent persons were delivered instructions concerning the goals, transport means to be inspected, possible hiding places and other kinds of details of operation.

According to the plan adopted by the GUAM working subgroup in charge for combat illegal circulation of drugs (Baku, 29-30 June, 2007) and for the purposes of the "Narcostop-1" operation provisional working subgroup was established on national level. On the basis of letters sent by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia relevant liaison persons were submitted from the customs services of Georgia as well s from the Special Operative Department of the MoIA and Border Police.

On October 1, 2007 meeting of the provisional subgroup above was held in the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia; the meeting was attended by:

1. Mr. Levan Chikvaidze - Head of the National Center of the GUAM, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia;

2. Mr. Otar Buskivadze - officer of the National Center of the GUAM;

3. Mr. Tamaz Zakarashvili - Deputy Head of Drugs Analytical Service of the Special Operative Department;

4. Mr. Kakhaber Sakheishvili - Head of Border-Immigration Unit, Border Police;

5. Mr. Dimitri Talakvadze - senior inspector of the Custom Procedures Control Unit, the Custom Service.

Facts of taking of drugs in a small amount into the territory of the country were stated during the operation "Narcostop-1", in particular:

1. Lagodekhi checkpoint - 2,41 gr. Heroin (01.10.2007);

2. Sarpi checkpoint - 7,205 gr. Heroin (02.10.2007);

3. Sarpi checkpoint - 4,15 Opium (02.10.2007);

4. Tbilisi - 40,11 gr of Heroin a big seizure was implemented (03.10.2007)

Operation "Narcostop 2"

On March 14-18, 2008 joint operation "Narcostop-2" was carried out by the GUAM member countries in the sphere of combat illegal circulation of drugs. Following units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia participated in the operation: the Special Operative Department, Border Police, Informational Analytical department, International Cooperation Divisions of the Administration. Totally 78 operative-searching measures were carried out by the MoIA of Georgia during the operation; as a result 8 drug dealer were detained and consequently criminal case was initiated against them; 43 persons were charged with administrative fine for drug abuse and investigation is underway against 15 persons. Border Police selected and consequently intensified control over the following checkpoints:

• Tbilisi airport
• Poti port
• Sarpi
• Red Bridge
• Lagodekhi
• Guguti

In total there were seized during the operation: 70 pills of Subutex; 0,8437 of Subutex powder; 2kg and 120,38205 gr. of Heroin; 3,1066 gr. of Methadone powder and 6 capsules of Morphine. It should be mentioned that law enforcement officers detained Izamat Veis Oghlu Abasov in Chapala village, Bolnisi region, and found 7,60175 gr. of Heroin during his personal search, another part - 2kg of Heroin was seized while searching his apartment.

Most part of drugs was seized during search of apartments as well as personal search; once a drug dealer even disclosed the hiding place at the cemetery.

Statistic information during the both operations was changed by the working group in the form duly agreed priory.

Operation "Narcostop 3"

On September 29-October 3, 2008 "Narcostop-3" was carried out. From the party of Georgia the operation were participated by the Custom Control Department of the Revenue Service of the Ministry of Finances and the units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, in particular: the Special Operative Department, Border Police, Informational Analytical Department, International Cooperation Divisions of the Administration. Totally 309 operative-searching measures were carried out by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia during the operation; in result of the operation 4 organized groups of drug dealers were detained, consequently criminal case is initiated against them; 150 persons were charged with administrative fine for drug abuse and investigation is underway against 60 persons. At the checkpoints, duly selected by the Border Police no fact of drug smuggling was fixed.

In total there were seized during the operation: 37 pills of Subutex; 0,01058gr. of Subutex powder; 131.01193 gr. of Heroin; 0.0212 gr. of Methadone powder, 0,953 gr. of Ephedrine and 0.85 gr. of Methamphetamine.

As a result of operative-searching measures several organized groups of drug dealers were detained during the operation.

Operation "Narcostop 2009"

Operation "Narcostop 2009" was performed in June 22 to June, 26, 2009. The mentioned operation was participated by the GUAM member states relevant units. The operation was implemented in the checkpoints duly selected in advance. The GUAM member states delivered to Azerbaijanian party - as a coordinator country of the mentioned operation - information on the measures carried out against drug crimes. Following information was obtained as a result of summarize of the information: totally 122 operative-searching measures were carried out by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia during the operation; in result of the operation 69 persons were charged with administrative fine for drug abuse and investigation is underway against 69 persons; no fact of drug smuggling was fixed at the checkpoints.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine carried out 144 operative-searching operations. Within the frames of the operation 203kg drugs were seized, from these drugs 68,6kg of Marijuana. 1316 persons were detained during the operation; 71 crimes committed by the drug dealers groups are documentary evidenced 7 clandestine drug labs were detected; 3 international channels for drug transit were liquidated; 1107 criminal cases are initiated against the arrested persons, from which 316 case concerns illegal distribution of drugs. 318 Persons were charged with administrative fine, among those persons 2 are the citizens of Azerbaijan and 1 - of Russia.

As a result of measures carried out in Azerbaijan 7.4kg drugs were seized in total; 36 facts of crimes were evidenced. Citizen of the Islamic Republic of Iran was arrested - 4 kg of Heroin was seized during search of his apartment.

Operation "Narcostop 2010"

On Septembet 15 - October 15 operation "Narcostop 2010" was carried out. The operation was implemented in the checkpoints duly selected in advance. During the operation several persons have been arrested with small quantity of Drugs.