Russian drug czar: Kyrgyzstan violence “A power struggle between domestic drug clans”

Russia‟s RIA Novosti (6/29) reports, “The current political crisis in Kyrgyzstan was caused by a power struggle between domestic drug clans,” according to Viktor Ivanov, the head of Russia‟s Federal Drug Control Service. Ivanov said in a radio interview, “Existing evidence clearly indicates that the former Kyrgyz leadership had a tight control over drug-trafficking in the country, which angered other [domestic] drug barons who believed they were being deprived of their share in the profits [from the illicit drug trade].” Ivanov “said drug barons were interested in having politicians at the reigns of power who would help them „stuff their pockets with money.‟”

Russia‟s RIA Novosti (6/29) reports, “As many as 500 Afghan drug laboratories may be involved in the production of drugs being trafficked to Russia,” according to Viktor Ivanov, the head of Russia‟s Federal Drug Control Service. Ivanov said in a radio interview, “Last year we handed to the United States a list of drug „brands‟ that point to laboratories located in Afghanistan. These 175 brands, laboratories deliver drugs to Russian territory.” Ivanov “said Russia is probing 25 Afghan and Central Asian drug barons who are believed to be behind much of Afghan drug traffic to Russia.”

Source: ONDCP News Briefing