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Counter-Narcotics: International Dimensions of a Soviet Internal Security Problem

NCJ Number
132600
Journal
Military Review Volume: 70 Issue: 12 Dated: (December 1990) Pages: 49-62
Author(s)
G H Turbiville Jr
Date Published
1990
Length
14 pages
Annotation
Responses in the Soviet Union to a growing narcotics trafficking problem and its international dimensions include redefining the roles, organization, and authority of military, security, and law enforcement agencies; creating new kinds of forces for counternarcotics; and implementing measures intended to support both more effective interaction of key security organizations and cooperation with foreign organizations.
Abstract
Central and regional components of the MVD, the KGB, and the State Customs Control Directorate as well as elements of the armed forces share the responsibility for the Soviet counternarcotics effort. Particularly notable is the increasing participation of the armed forces in the Soviet struggle against drug trafficking. In addition to employing regular militia units in drug arrests and operations, a need has been identified to create and employ militia "detachments of special designation" as well as other specially trained militia components to operate against organized criminal gangs including special units oriented principally to counternarcotics tasks. 74 notes