Drug Trafficking
S5 - 1
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 - 2
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 - 3
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 - 4
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.
S5 - 5