S5 - 1

Drug Trafficking

S5 - 2

Drug Trafficking

• The flow of drugs from South Asia to Europe continues to grow rapidly. EU pressure on Turkey has resulted in strong measures by the Turkish to seal off the route through their country.

• As a result, the drugs (particularly from Afghanistan) are making their way through Russia and the CIS in increasing volume. The Russian mafia is becoming more and more involved.

S5 - 3

Drug Trafficking (Cont)

• An alternate route has been established overland through Moldova to Romania, with Chisnau and Bucharest becoming centers for onward movement of drugs.

• Gradually, evidence is building that the drug dealers are attempting to corrupt police and customs officials. In turn, battles between certain gangs over “territory” are leading to increased violence in Moldova.

• The issue becomes a center of attention when a Mercedes 500 driving at high speed crashes through a road block, killing all three passengers.

S5 - 4

Drug Trafficking (Cont)

• The passengers are identified as two known mafia figures – one Russian and one Moldovan – and a senior Moldovan government official.

• In the trunk of the car, authorities find DM 500,000, $200,000, and heroin with a street value in Europe of $10,000,000.

• The Moldovan press has focused in on the incident with massive daily coverage. The international press also picks up the story.

S5 - 5

Drug Trafficking (Cont)

• Various elements of the government report external pressures to confront the problem more boldly. The IMF, World Bank, EU, Turkey, Romania, and Russia, among others, have echoed these concerns. Internally, public pressure continues to mount. Police sources report that the drug mafia promises to become more belligerent and has started using threats and acts of violence against Moldovan officials.