In the previous years, the volume of the seizure of drugs passing through Iran has had aconsiderable growth. Influenced by the rise in drug cultivation and production in Afghanistanin 2007, the entry of drugs into Iran has experienced an ascending trend.The rise in the seizure of different types of drugs except hashish and the rise in the number ofarrested drug smugglers and dismantled rings in the previous year are indicative of theintensification of measures by the Islamic Republic of Iran in fighting drug trafficking.
The most important measures taken recently with the aim to counter drug trafficking from Iran are as follows:
Establishing and Equipping the “Rasoul-e-Akram” Base
“Rasoul-e-Akram” as an important base for countering drug trafficking has become operational in 2006. The base seeks to act as a coordinating bodyalong the eastern borders particularly the province of Sistan& Baluchistan. Morethan 50000 forces are present at the base so as to pave the way for swift and effectiveoperations against drug traffickers.
Construction Measures along the Borderline
Construction activities include; construction of 826 kilometers of embankments,digging canals with the length of 717 kilometers, construction of concrete walls (70.5km), road construction and operations for mending roads (116 km), mending embankments andcanals (359.5 km), blocking passageways (37 cases) and setting up barbed wire and fences(131.8 km).
Implementation of the Integrated Border Control Plan (I50)
The plan that has been implemented based on an agreement reached between the IslamicRepublic of Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan seeks to strengthen border control management incommon border points. Within this plan, the UNODC supports the aforementioned projecttechnically, logistically and financially. The integrated border control agreement was reached in 2006, but practical measures were launched in 2007. In line with this, a mini-Dublindelegation traveled to Iran and obtained part of the credits required for the implementation ofthe plan.
Establishment of Anti-Narcotics Department at the Customs Administration
Based on national drug countering law, all organizations that are members of the Drug ControlHeadquarters have been obliged to set up an anti-narcotics department. Due to follow-upmeasures by the Drug Control Headquarters and measures adopted by the CustomsAdministration, the anti-narcotics department became operational at the Customs Administration.This is an important measure due to the issue of precursors control and the conversion of opiumto morphine and heroin in Afghanistan. The said department is tasked with a supervisory role,follow-up action and seizure of illicit consignments.
Launching of the “Regional Information Exchange Center”
One of the most important solutions for a joint and coordinated move against drug smugglingnetworks is the stationing of drug liaison officers. In line with this, the Islamic Republic of Iranhas stationed DLOs in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Turkey. These countries as well as a number ofother neighboring countries such as Saudi Arabia have adopted measures for dispatching DLOs toIran.
In order to assist the DLOs in fulfilling their duties, it is necessary to create mechanisms forfacilitating the exchange of intelligence among the DLOs. For this reason, the Islamic Republic of Iran has set up the regional information exchange center.Thecenter is used for exchange of information after the stationing of the DLOs of the IslamicRepublic of Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. In addition to this, the center can act as a bridge forthe exchange of information with other regional and trans-regional countries.
Approval of the Law on Money-laundering
The law for countering moneylaunderingwas approved by the Iranian parliament (Islamic Consultative Assembly) on January21, 2009 and was submitted for implementation. Based on this law, the supreme council forcountering money-laundering will be established. The Commerce Minister, the Interior Minister,Minister of Information, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, and the Governor of CentralBank will be the members of the said council. A special committee has also been set up forenforcing the said law. Among the measures adopted in this regard one can make reference tothe formation of four working groups including the working group for designing the structure andsecretariat of the council, the working group for setting up the Financial Information Unit (FIU),the working group for international affairs and the working group for legal affairs. In themeantime, a two-day training seminar was held in May 2008 in cooperation with an accreditedBritish company focusing on the issue of countering money-laundering and sources of financialsupport for terrorism. In addition to this, the Islamic Republic of Iran has had close cooperationwith the Financial Action Task Force on Money-Laundering (FATF) and has adopted measures inconformity with international agreements and regulations.