Increase in drug trafficking via Belarus in larger Customs Union possible

According to the source, drugs originate primarily in Afghanistan to be consumed mainly in Russia and Western Europe while some of them can be consumed in Belarus. "We are dealing with the so-called Northern Road or the Silk Road, which, according to different estimates, supply 20-25% of Afghan heroine via the Central Asia, Russia, Belarus to Western Europe. Now we are part of the single customs space and already feel some difficulties brought about by drug trafficking. The lack of a customs barrier disallows suppressing drug flows promptly," explained Vasily Losich.

Nevertheless, he remarked that the tendency had been expected and law enforcement agencies of Belarus, Russia and other interested countries had been preparing for it. "We discussed cooperation of all the law enforcement agencies of the CSTO member states, we invited representatives, including from Europe, and we built up the legal base. It allowed smoothing a sharp increase in negative consequences for us," said the official. Several major operations have been carried out lately, with drug traffickers in Europe and Russia detained.

According to BelTA, the United Nations Organization recognizes drug abuse as a key threat to civilization along with nuclear war and environmental catastrophe. "It is a publicly recognized problem. For Belarus it is not threatening yet but it demonstrates dangerous trends. The problem represents demographic, economic, and social danger for the society," said Vasily Losich.

Last year as many as 64 brothels were detected in Belarus, over 4,200 crimes relating to the illegal turnover of drugs were registered, with 874 criminal cases filed against drug dealers. As many as 48 channels used to deliver drugs to Belarus or in transit via Belarus were suppressed, ten labs used to make drugs were detected as well as 18 premises used to grow drug crops.