Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06PRAGUE1405
2006-11-09 14:53:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Prague
Cable title:
INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROLS REPORT (INCSR)
how-toVZCZCXRO4855 PP RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHPG #1405/01 3131453 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 091453Z NOV 06 FM AMEMBASSY PRAGUE TO RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC PRIORITY RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8234 RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC PRIORITY RUEHNA/DEA WASHDC PRIORITY INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 07 PRAGUE 001405
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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR PGOV PREL EZ
SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROLS REPORT (INCSR)
FOR CZECH REPUBLIC (PART I OF II)
REF: SECSTATE 154928
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 07 PRAGUE 001405
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
JUSTICE FOR OIA, AFMLS, NDDS
TREASURY FOR FINCEN
DEA FOR OILS,AFMLS, NDDS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR PGOV PREL EZ
SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROLS REPORT (INCSR)
FOR CZECH REPUBLIC (PART I OF II)
REF: SECSTATE 154928
1. SUMMARY. I. Illegal narcotics are imported to,
manufactured in,
and consumed in the Czech Republic. Locally produced
pervitine is also exported to neighboring countries.
Marijuana, grown locally and imported from
Holland, is used more than any other drug. Consumption of
recreational drugs, such as marijuana and ecstasy, continues
to grow
particularly among youth. The Czech government has taken
little
action, even though the EU reported last year that Czech
marijuana
usage is the highest in Europe. Usage and addiction rates of
heroin
and pervitine are high but seem to have stabilized; while
cocaine
use remains low but is growing. The Czech Republic is a
producer of
ergometrine and ergotamine used for the production of LSD.
The Czech
Republic is a party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention.
2. II. Status of Country
Several factors make the Czech Republic an attractive country
for
groups in the drug trade. These factors include: its central
location, the closure of most of the traditional customs
posts along
the nation's borders as part of EU accession in 2004, low
detection
rates for laundered drug money, low risk of asset
confiscation, and
relatively short sentences for drug-related crimes. The
growing
purchasing power of Czechs also makes the country a popular
destination country. The maximum sentence for any
drug-related crime
is 15 years imprisonment, but often convicted drug
traffickers only
receive light or suspended sentences. The Czech National
Focal Point
for Drugs and Drug Addiction is the main body responsible for
collecting, analyzing and interpreting data on drug use. A
four-year
governmental action plan "The National Drug Policy Strategy
for
2005-2009" is evaluated internally every year and appropriate
measures are taken when viewed necessary.
3. According to a pan-European (EU) study from 2005, the rate
of
marijuana use in the Czech Republic is the highest in Europe,
with
22.1 percent of young adults having used the drug within the
previous twelve months. Czechs were also the most likely to
have
ever used marijuana in their lifetimes. Consumption of
ecstasy and
pervitine was among the highest in the EU.
4. The Czech statistical office estimates Czechs spend 6.5
billion
crowns ($297 million) and consume about 15 tons of drugs
annually.
Czechs consume 10 tons of marijuana, 1.2 million ecstasy
tablets,
over 250,000 LSD trips, 3.5 tons of pervitine and 2.2 tons of
heroin
annually as well.
5. III. Country Actions Against Drugs in 2006
Policy Initiatives. Drug policy remains a contentious issue
in Czech
domestic politics. The US-DEU political party, one of five
members
of the former government, oriented its election campaign
towards
young people and promised to promote the legalization of
marijuana.
US-DEU did poorly in the June 2006 national elections and won
no
seats in Parliament. The stalemate following the deadlocked
June
PRAGUE 00001405 002 OF 007
elections has lead to the failure of the government to address
drug-related issues, including legalization proposals.
The Criminal Code passed in 2005, draws a sharp distinction
between
the use of "soft" drugs, such as marijuana and ecstasy, and
"hard"
drugs, such as heroin and pervitine. Although a measure that
would
have decriminalized marijuana failed in Parliament earlier in
2005,
the Criminal Code fully envisions a markedly more liberal
approach
to soft drugs in order to focus resources against drugs
considered
more damaging.
6. The current National Drug Strategy focuses on enforcement
operations
against organized criminal enterprises and efforts to reduce
addiction and their associated health risks. One of the top
priorities of the government in 2005 and 2006 was the
establishment
of a system of certification for drug prevention programs. The
government also focused efforts on improving laws on asset
forfeiture and seizure of illicit proceeds, as well as on
controlling pills containing chemical precursors.
The National Drug Headquarters is the main organization
within the
country responsible for major drug investigations. The drug
units of
the Czech Customs Service are also responsible for tracking
drugs
and can use the same operational tools as the police. Since
2005,
they are also responsible for monitoring the Czech Republic's
modest
licit poppy crop, a function previously performed by the
Ministry of
Agriculture.
7. In 2005, the Czech Customs Service established mobile
groups that
control suspicious trucks on highways in the country. Given
the
Czechs accession into the EU and a loosening of the borders
this is
of growing importance. Czech Customs is also responsible for
the
control of highway tickets and the trafficking of illegal
cigarettes. As a result of these other tasks drug trafficking
is not
their highest priority.
8. The NDH cooperates regularly with the Custom Services
based on a
cooperation agreement signed between the Ministries of
Interior and
Finance. In 2006, the Customs Service placed a liaison
officer at
the Police Presidium to strengthen and streamline
cooperation. The
fight against drug smuggling was made more difficult by the
Czech
Republic's entry into the EU and more open borders. In
November
2005, the Customs Service received on-line access to all
police
information systems. Discussions continue as to whether the
NDH and
the customs drug unit should be joined under one institution
due to
overlapping responsibilities. The National Drug Headquarters
cooperates regularly with the Czech Financial Police. NDH is
responsible for the supervision of regional police offices in
investing drug cases. Regional Offices have also appointed
representatives for cooperation and coordination with local
NGOs but
the level of cooperation still largely depends on personal
contacts.
9. Accomplishments/Law Enforcement. In 2005, the National Drug
Headquarters, together with the Customs Service, seized 36.3
kilograms of heroin; 19,010 ecstasy pills; 5.3 kilograms of
methamphetamine, 103 kilograms of marijuana, 1,780 cannabis
plants,
PRAGUE 00001405 003 OF 007
4.6 kilograms of hashish, and 10 kilograms of cocaine. They
also
found 261 methamphetamine laboratories. During the first nine
months of 2006, the National Police together with the Customs
Service, seized 15.3 kilograms of heroin; 12,416
ecstasy pills; 4.6 kilograms of methamphetamine, 61 kilograms
of
marijuana, 1,550 cannabis plants, only 0.4 kilograms of
hashish, and
1.4 kilograms of cocaine. In the same period of time, 278
methamphetamine and 11 marijuana laboratories were found
which is an
increase compared to statistics for all of 2005. The National
Drug
Headquarters also scored some significant successes in 2006.
10. In January, after several years of intensive international
cooperation with Venezuela, the Netherlands, Slovakia and
Netherlands Antilles the Czech police arrested two Czechs and
one
Slovak who ran a large drug smuggling ring importing cocaine
from
South America to Europe. During the investigation, the Dutch
police
in cooperation with NDH arrested several Czech and German
drug mules
carrying nearly 200 kilograms of cocaine. It is not clear
whether
the cocaine's end destination was the Czech Republic. The
seized
cocaine had a street value of 110 billion crowns ($5.2
billion).
In May, the police arrested three Israelis who ran an ecstasy
drug
trafficking ring in the Czech Republic. The group built its
distribution network in Prague's center, selling ecstasy
primarily
in clubs and discos and were successful in a monopolizing the
ecstasy trade in downtown Prague. During the bust, police
found over
4,200 ecstasy pills, with an estimated street value of one
million
crowns ($50,000) as well as other drugs.
11. During the summer, six Czechs were arrested for
large-scale
production and distribution of pervitine. These individuals
worked
with conspirators from the former Yugoslavia in obtaining the
necessary ephedrine to make pervitine and organized
distribution
within the Czech Republic and also exported the highest
quality
pervitine called "crystal" to Germany. The price of crystal in
Germany is about 2,000 crowns ($90). Czech police continue to
investigate the case.
12. According to police statistics for the first half of
2006, 1,261
people were investigated for drug related crimes. 1,230
suspects
were investigated for unauthorized production and possession
of
narcotics and psychotropic substances and "poisons". Police
investigated 104 individuals for drug possession for personal
use,
and 31 others were investigated for spreading addiction.
According to the statistics provided by the Ministry of
Justice for
the same period of time, the state prosecuted 1,438 suspects
and
indicted 1,270 others for drug related crimes. 116 were
indicted for
drug possession for personal use and 50 were indicted for
spreading
addiction. Courts convicted 747 individuals for drug related
offenses, including 29 convictions for drug possession for
personal
use and 7 for spreading addiction.
13. Statistics for first six months of 2006 show that most
convicted
criminals (54 percent) received conditional sentences for drug
related crimes and only one-third of convicted criminals were
actually sentenced to serve time in prison. Only 15 percent
PRAGUE 00001405 004 OF 007
of this
latter group received sentences higher than 5 years in prison.
Compared to 2005, this is a slight improvement since at that
time
only 13 percent of prison sentences were higher than 5 years.
The
majority of those sentenced to serve time in prison (71
percent)
received sentences ranging from 1 to 5 years. The practice of
adding
on penalties such fines, asset forfeiture or public service
was
similar to previous years.
14. Corruption. As a matter of government policy, the Czech
government
does not encourage or facilitate illicit production or
distribution
of narcotic or psychotropic drugs or other controlled
substances, or
the laundering of proceeds from illegal drug transactions. A
current
provision in Czech law permits possession of a small amount of
certain drugs, but fails to define a "small amount". Leaving
this
determination to the individual police officer offers
possibilities
for corruption and malfeasance. To avoid any possible
confusion and
to eliminate possibilities for corruption, the Police
President and
Supreme Public Prosecutor issued internal regulations
designed to
clarify elements of the drug law that some feared allowed
policemen
too much discretion in whether to pursue drug cases. In 2004
and
2005 a few police officers were arrested for drug-related
crimes
including 4 cases of production and distribution of drugs and
1 case
of trafficking. In August, one policeman was convicted of
selling
drugs in Northern Bohemia. He only received a 1 year suspended
sentence but the prosecutor has appealed the verdict to the
higher
court in an attempt to stiffen the penalty. The Czech Republic
signed the UN Convention against Corruption in 2005 but has
not yet
ratified it.
15. Agreements and Treaties. The Czech Republic is a party to
the 1988
UN Drug Convention and the World Customs Organization's
Convention
on Mutual Administrative Assistance for the Prevention
Investigation
and Repression of Customs Offenses. A 1925 extradition
treaty, as
supplemented in 1935, remains in force between the United
States and
the Czech Republic. The U.S. and Czech representatives signed
supplements to the U.S. - EU extradition treaty in May 2006.
The
Czech Republic has signed, but has not yet ratified, the UN
Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.
Drug Flow/Transit. Whereas in past years heroin trafficking
in the
country was solely under the control of ethnic Albanian
groups that
import their product from Turkey, according to the Czech
counternarcotics squad this is no longer the case. Due to
several
major successes against these groups in the past, they are now
experiencing financial insolvency and are having difficulties
importing large amounts of heroin. However, Turks living in
the
Czech Republic have better relations with suppliers in Turkey
and
have more cash available for large heroin purchases from
Turkey.
Heroin is transported in the Czech Republic primarily using
modified
vehicles. Cocaine is not as spread as other drugs but its
expansion
PRAGUE 00001405 005 OF 007
is increasing also thanks to the growing purchasing power of
Czech
citizens. Cocaine is frequently imported by Nigerians or
Czechs
through Western Europe from Brazil or Venezuela. Mail
parcels, Czech
couriers or "swallowers" are the most common ways of import.
Pervitine is a synthetic methamphetamine primarily produced
in homes
and laboratories. Its production is growing thanks to growing
local
demand and growing export possibilities to Germany, Austria
and
Slovakia. Besides Czech citizens, who are still the main
producers
of the drug, Vietnamese and Albanians residing in the Czech
Republic
and Germans are also major pervitine traffickers. The
Vietnamese
control mainly the border areas, selling drugs in market
places
where they collect orders from German customers and use Czech
and
German couriers to satisfy demand in the region. Pervitine is
produced from imported ephedrine from the Balkans or from
locally
available flu pills.
16. Imported ecstasy tablets remain a favorite drug of the
"dance
scene." Ecstasy is trafficked primarily from the Netherlands
and
Belgium. Ecstasy tablets are smuggled into the country by
local
couriers, mainly hired in localities with high unemployment
rates
like Northern Bohemia and Northern Moravia. These couriers
travel
into the country on trains, buses or planes within the EU.
There is
also some trafficking organized by Nigerians. A trend toward
larger-scale growth of cannabis plants in hydrophonic
laboratories
continued in 2006, along with a similar growth in the potency
of the
drug produced (up to 20 percent THC). Consumption of cannabis
is
mainly covered by local production, but is also imported from
Holland in small amounts and to a lesser extent from Spain or
India.
Most smugglers are Czechs or Dutch citizens, but local
Vietnamese
have also become involved in marijuana trafficking.
Salvia Divinorum is a legal drug that is more common among
young
experimenters. A plant of salvia is relatively easy to buy on
internet for about 500 crowns ($25). Toluene, a solvent, is
commonly inhaled by poor young segments of the population,
primarily
in the north of the country.
17. Domestic Programs (Demand Reduction). The main components
of Czech
demand reduction plans include primary prevention along with
treatment and re-socialization of abusers. This strategy
entails a
variety of programs that include school-based prevention
education,
drug treatment and needle exchange programs and partnerships
with
local NGOs. Within the context of the National Strategy, the
government has established benchmarks for success. Some of
these
include stabilizing or reducing the number of "problem"
("hard")
drug users, reversing the trend in the Czech Republic toward
rising
recreational and experimental drug use, and ensuring the
availability of treatment centers and social services.
In May, the government released a study on drug addition
treatment
programs that stressed the importance of services provided by
telephone and the internet. As a result, the Czech government
produced an online "Map of Help" including contact
information for
PRAGUE 00001405 006 OF 007
all drug treatment programs in the Czech Republic.
18. To provide high-level treatment services to clients all
over the
country, the National Strategy set standards that are
required from
all drug treatment providers. In connection with this effort,
the
government began a certification process in 2005 for treatment
facilities. All providers of secondary and tertiary prevention
programs that applied for governmental funding in 2006 were
required
to have received prior government certification.
Certification of
primary prevention programs under the administration of the
Ministry
of Education was delayed although all such providers must
obtain
certification prior to the end of 2008.
19. Since January, mandatory drug testing of individuals
suspected of
traffic violations is now required by law but is facing
problems due
to a lack of resources. Traffic police do not have enough
test kits
and the law allows police only to test the driver's saliva as
opposed to sweat which is more commonly used in many other
European
countries.
20. IV. U.S. Policy Initiatives and Programs
Bilateral Cooperation. The U.S. covers Czech Republic drug
issues
through the DEA office in Warsaw, which maintained a
cooperative
relationship with Czech counterparts. The State Department
has not
given grants for counternarcotics education recently.
The Road Ahead. The U.S. and the Czech Republic will continue
their
active cooperation as the Czech Republic implements its
National
Drug Policy Strategy document for 2005-2009.
21. VI. Chemical Control
The Czech Republic no longer has domestic ephedrine
production. One
company produces the precursor chemical lysergic acid. IVEX
(former
Galena a.s. Ostrava) produces ergometrine and ergotamine, as
well as
a small amount of lysergic acid. IVEX is a member of the
"Association of Chemical producers of the Czech Republic."
The INC
company, which used to produce ephedrine, closed its
production in
2004, and in 2005 sold its remaining stock primarily to the
U.S.
company Novus which purchased about 30 tons. Additionally,
South
African companies purchased about 3 tons and Argentinean and
Brazilian companies bought several tons as well. Pharmac
imports
small amounts of ephedrine from India for the production of
pills
fighting Parkinson disease.
22. Chemical control in the Czech Republic is regulated under
the law on
Addictive Substances No. 167/1998Col. The latest amendment
from
March 2006, No 74/2006 Col, fully harmonized Czech law with EU
requirements. Export as well as import licenses from third
countries
are now required for precursors and essential chemicals since
July
2004.
23. The Inspectorate of Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances
of the
Czech Ministry of Health monitors production and distribution
of
precursor chemicals and issues the necessary export as well as
import licenses. The State Institute for Drug Control
PRAGUE 00001405 007 OF 007
together with
regional government offices control and monitor distribution
to
pharmacies and sale of substances and pills containing
precursors
(ephedrine and egrotamine) since many of them are available
without
special prescription. Over the counter flu medicine contains
less
than 30 mg of ephedrine or pseudoephedrine. Medicines
containing
more ephedrine or pseudoephedrine require a prescription from
a
doctor. Rohypnol and subutex (buprenorphin) are also only
available
by prescription which enables health authorities to better
control
selling and prescribing of these pills.
24. Specially trained representatives of the National Drug
Headquarters
will begin assisting in controlling pharmaceutical sales.
However,
the government is still finalizing the accreditation system
for
policemen. The National Drug Headquarters is responsible for
the
detection of the abuse of precursors.
25. Cooperation among representatives of the Ministry of
Health,
Ministry of Industry and Trade, Police and Customs is very
good.
The Police, Customs Service and chemical and pharmaceutical
trade
associations have signed a "Memorandum of Understanding" to
increase
communication regarding suspicious precursor sales and
purchases and
has resulted in several investigations. Pharmacies and
chemical
companies are required by the MOU to report to police or
custom
authorities any suspicious purchases or sale of precursors.
26. The Czech Customs Service gained new responsibilities
such as
monitoring transports and imports and exports of precursors
to and
from third countries as a result of a 2004 reorganization.
They are
also responsible for monitoring growth of poppy seeds and
cannabis
which contains less than 2 percent THC.
GRABER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
JUSTICE FOR OIA, AFMLS, NDDS
TREASURY FOR FINCEN
DEA FOR OILS,AFMLS, NDDS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR PGOV PREL EZ
SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROLS REPORT (INCSR)
FOR CZECH REPUBLIC (PART I OF II)
REF: SECSTATE 154928
1. SUMMARY. I. Illegal narcotics are imported to,
manufactured in,
and consumed in the Czech Republic. Locally produced
pervitine is also exported to neighboring countries.
Marijuana, grown locally and imported from
Holland, is used more than any other drug. Consumption of
recreational drugs, such as marijuana and ecstasy, continues
to grow
particularly among youth. The Czech government has taken
little
action, even though the EU reported last year that Czech
marijuana
usage is the highest in Europe. Usage and addiction rates of
heroin
and pervitine are high but seem to have stabilized; while
cocaine
use remains low but is growing. The Czech Republic is a
producer of
ergometrine and ergotamine used for the production of LSD.
The Czech
Republic is a party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention.
2. II. Status of Country
Several factors make the Czech Republic an attractive country
for
groups in the drug trade. These factors include: its central
location, the closure of most of the traditional customs
posts along
the nation's borders as part of EU accession in 2004, low
detection
rates for laundered drug money, low risk of asset
confiscation, and
relatively short sentences for drug-related crimes. The
growing
purchasing power of Czechs also makes the country a popular
destination country. The maximum sentence for any
drug-related crime
is 15 years imprisonment, but often convicted drug
traffickers only
receive light or suspended sentences. The Czech National
Focal Point
for Drugs and Drug Addiction is the main body responsible for
collecting, analyzing and interpreting data on drug use. A
four-year
governmental action plan "The National Drug Policy Strategy
for
2005-2009" is evaluated internally every year and appropriate
measures are taken when viewed necessary.
3. According to a pan-European (EU) study from 2005, the rate
of
marijuana use in the Czech Republic is the highest in Europe,
with
22.1 percent of young adults having used the drug within the
previous twelve months. Czechs were also the most likely to
have
ever used marijuana in their lifetimes. Consumption of
ecstasy and
pervitine was among the highest in the EU.
4. The Czech statistical office estimates Czechs spend 6.5
billion
crowns ($297 million) and consume about 15 tons of drugs
annually.
Czechs consume 10 tons of marijuana, 1.2 million ecstasy
tablets,
over 250,000 LSD trips, 3.5 tons of pervitine and 2.2 tons of
heroin
annually as well.
5. III. Country Actions Against Drugs in 2006
Policy Initiatives. Drug policy remains a contentious issue
in Czech
domestic politics. The US-DEU political party, one of five
members
of the former government, oriented its election campaign
towards
young people and promised to promote the legalization of
marijuana.
US-DEU did poorly in the June 2006 national elections and won
no
seats in Parliament. The stalemate following the deadlocked
June
PRAGUE 00001405 002 OF 007
elections has lead to the failure of the government to address
drug-related issues, including legalization proposals.
The Criminal Code passed in 2005, draws a sharp distinction
between
the use of "soft" drugs, such as marijuana and ecstasy, and
"hard"
drugs, such as heroin and pervitine. Although a measure that
would
have decriminalized marijuana failed in Parliament earlier in
2005,
the Criminal Code fully envisions a markedly more liberal
approach
to soft drugs in order to focus resources against drugs
considered
more damaging.
6. The current National Drug Strategy focuses on enforcement
operations
against organized criminal enterprises and efforts to reduce
addiction and their associated health risks. One of the top
priorities of the government in 2005 and 2006 was the
establishment
of a system of certification for drug prevention programs. The
government also focused efforts on improving laws on asset
forfeiture and seizure of illicit proceeds, as well as on
controlling pills containing chemical precursors.
The National Drug Headquarters is the main organization
within the
country responsible for major drug investigations. The drug
units of
the Czech Customs Service are also responsible for tracking
drugs
and can use the same operational tools as the police. Since
2005,
they are also responsible for monitoring the Czech Republic's
modest
licit poppy crop, a function previously performed by the
Ministry of
Agriculture.
7. In 2005, the Czech Customs Service established mobile
groups that
control suspicious trucks on highways in the country. Given
the
Czechs accession into the EU and a loosening of the borders
this is
of growing importance. Czech Customs is also responsible for
the
control of highway tickets and the trafficking of illegal
cigarettes. As a result of these other tasks drug trafficking
is not
their highest priority.
8. The NDH cooperates regularly with the Custom Services
based on a
cooperation agreement signed between the Ministries of
Interior and
Finance. In 2006, the Customs Service placed a liaison
officer at
the Police Presidium to strengthen and streamline
cooperation. The
fight against drug smuggling was made more difficult by the
Czech
Republic's entry into the EU and more open borders. In
November
2005, the Customs Service received on-line access to all
police
information systems. Discussions continue as to whether the
NDH and
the customs drug unit should be joined under one institution
due to
overlapping responsibilities. The National Drug Headquarters
cooperates regularly with the Czech Financial Police. NDH is
responsible for the supervision of regional police offices in
investing drug cases. Regional Offices have also appointed
representatives for cooperation and coordination with local
NGOs but
the level of cooperation still largely depends on personal
contacts.
9. Accomplishments/Law Enforcement. In 2005, the National Drug
Headquarters, together with the Customs Service, seized 36.3
kilograms of heroin; 19,010 ecstasy pills; 5.3 kilograms of
methamphetamine, 103 kilograms of marijuana, 1,780 cannabis
plants,
PRAGUE 00001405 003 OF 007
4.6 kilograms of hashish, and 10 kilograms of cocaine. They
also
found 261 methamphetamine laboratories. During the first nine
months of 2006, the National Police together with the Customs
Service, seized 15.3 kilograms of heroin; 12,416
ecstasy pills; 4.6 kilograms of methamphetamine, 61 kilograms
of
marijuana, 1,550 cannabis plants, only 0.4 kilograms of
hashish, and
1.4 kilograms of cocaine. In the same period of time, 278
methamphetamine and 11 marijuana laboratories were found
which is an
increase compared to statistics for all of 2005. The National
Drug
Headquarters also scored some significant successes in 2006.
10. In January, after several years of intensive international
cooperation with Venezuela, the Netherlands, Slovakia and
Netherlands Antilles the Czech police arrested two Czechs and
one
Slovak who ran a large drug smuggling ring importing cocaine
from
South America to Europe. During the investigation, the Dutch
police
in cooperation with NDH arrested several Czech and German
drug mules
carrying nearly 200 kilograms of cocaine. It is not clear
whether
the cocaine's end destination was the Czech Republic. The
seized
cocaine had a street value of 110 billion crowns ($5.2
billion).
In May, the police arrested three Israelis who ran an ecstasy
drug
trafficking ring in the Czech Republic. The group built its
distribution network in Prague's center, selling ecstasy
primarily
in clubs and discos and were successful in a monopolizing the
ecstasy trade in downtown Prague. During the bust, police
found over
4,200 ecstasy pills, with an estimated street value of one
million
crowns ($50,000) as well as other drugs.
11. During the summer, six Czechs were arrested for
large-scale
production and distribution of pervitine. These individuals
worked
with conspirators from the former Yugoslavia in obtaining the
necessary ephedrine to make pervitine and organized
distribution
within the Czech Republic and also exported the highest
quality
pervitine called "crystal" to Germany. The price of crystal in
Germany is about 2,000 crowns ($90). Czech police continue to
investigate the case.
12. According to police statistics for the first half of
2006, 1,261
people were investigated for drug related crimes. 1,230
suspects
were investigated for unauthorized production and possession
of
narcotics and psychotropic substances and "poisons". Police
investigated 104 individuals for drug possession for personal
use,
and 31 others were investigated for spreading addiction.
According to the statistics provided by the Ministry of
Justice for
the same period of time, the state prosecuted 1,438 suspects
and
indicted 1,270 others for drug related crimes. 116 were
indicted for
drug possession for personal use and 50 were indicted for
spreading
addiction. Courts convicted 747 individuals for drug related
offenses, including 29 convictions for drug possession for
personal
use and 7 for spreading addiction.
13. Statistics for first six months of 2006 show that most
convicted
criminals (54 percent) received conditional sentences for drug
related crimes and only one-third of convicted criminals were
actually sentenced to serve time in prison. Only 15 percent
PRAGUE 00001405 004 OF 007
of this
latter group received sentences higher than 5 years in prison.
Compared to 2005, this is a slight improvement since at that
time
only 13 percent of prison sentences were higher than 5 years.
The
majority of those sentenced to serve time in prison (71
percent)
received sentences ranging from 1 to 5 years. The practice of
adding
on penalties such fines, asset forfeiture or public service
was
similar to previous years.
14. Corruption. As a matter of government policy, the Czech
government
does not encourage or facilitate illicit production or
distribution
of narcotic or psychotropic drugs or other controlled
substances, or
the laundering of proceeds from illegal drug transactions. A
current
provision in Czech law permits possession of a small amount of
certain drugs, but fails to define a "small amount". Leaving
this
determination to the individual police officer offers
possibilities
for corruption and malfeasance. To avoid any possible
confusion and
to eliminate possibilities for corruption, the Police
President and
Supreme Public Prosecutor issued internal regulations
designed to
clarify elements of the drug law that some feared allowed
policemen
too much discretion in whether to pursue drug cases. In 2004
and
2005 a few police officers were arrested for drug-related
crimes
including 4 cases of production and distribution of drugs and
1 case
of trafficking. In August, one policeman was convicted of
selling
drugs in Northern Bohemia. He only received a 1 year suspended
sentence but the prosecutor has appealed the verdict to the
higher
court in an attempt to stiffen the penalty. The Czech Republic
signed the UN Convention against Corruption in 2005 but has
not yet
ratified it.
15. Agreements and Treaties. The Czech Republic is a party to
the 1988
UN Drug Convention and the World Customs Organization's
Convention
on Mutual Administrative Assistance for the Prevention
Investigation
and Repression of Customs Offenses. A 1925 extradition
treaty, as
supplemented in 1935, remains in force between the United
States and
the Czech Republic. The U.S. and Czech representatives signed
supplements to the U.S. - EU extradition treaty in May 2006.
The
Czech Republic has signed, but has not yet ratified, the UN
Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.
Drug Flow/Transit. Whereas in past years heroin trafficking
in the
country was solely under the control of ethnic Albanian
groups that
import their product from Turkey, according to the Czech
counternarcotics squad this is no longer the case. Due to
several
major successes against these groups in the past, they are now
experiencing financial insolvency and are having difficulties
importing large amounts of heroin. However, Turks living in
the
Czech Republic have better relations with suppliers in Turkey
and
have more cash available for large heroin purchases from
Turkey.
Heroin is transported in the Czech Republic primarily using
modified
vehicles. Cocaine is not as spread as other drugs but its
expansion
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is increasing also thanks to the growing purchasing power of
Czech
citizens. Cocaine is frequently imported by Nigerians or
Czechs
through Western Europe from Brazil or Venezuela. Mail
parcels, Czech
couriers or "swallowers" are the most common ways of import.
Pervitine is a synthetic methamphetamine primarily produced
in homes
and laboratories. Its production is growing thanks to growing
local
demand and growing export possibilities to Germany, Austria
and
Slovakia. Besides Czech citizens, who are still the main
producers
of the drug, Vietnamese and Albanians residing in the Czech
Republic
and Germans are also major pervitine traffickers. The
Vietnamese
control mainly the border areas, selling drugs in market
places
where they collect orders from German customers and use Czech
and
German couriers to satisfy demand in the region. Pervitine is
produced from imported ephedrine from the Balkans or from
locally
available flu pills.
16. Imported ecstasy tablets remain a favorite drug of the
"dance
scene." Ecstasy is trafficked primarily from the Netherlands
and
Belgium. Ecstasy tablets are smuggled into the country by
local
couriers, mainly hired in localities with high unemployment
rates
like Northern Bohemia and Northern Moravia. These couriers
travel
into the country on trains, buses or planes within the EU.
There is
also some trafficking organized by Nigerians. A trend toward
larger-scale growth of cannabis plants in hydrophonic
laboratories
continued in 2006, along with a similar growth in the potency
of the
drug produced (up to 20 percent THC). Consumption of cannabis
is
mainly covered by local production, but is also imported from
Holland in small amounts and to a lesser extent from Spain or
India.
Most smugglers are Czechs or Dutch citizens, but local
Vietnamese
have also become involved in marijuana trafficking.
Salvia Divinorum is a legal drug that is more common among
young
experimenters. A plant of salvia is relatively easy to buy on
internet for about 500 crowns ($25). Toluene, a solvent, is
commonly inhaled by poor young segments of the population,
primarily
in the north of the country.
17. Domestic Programs (Demand Reduction). The main components
of Czech
demand reduction plans include primary prevention along with
treatment and re-socialization of abusers. This strategy
entails a
variety of programs that include school-based prevention
education,
drug treatment and needle exchange programs and partnerships
with
local NGOs. Within the context of the National Strategy, the
government has established benchmarks for success. Some of
these
include stabilizing or reducing the number of "problem"
("hard")
drug users, reversing the trend in the Czech Republic toward
rising
recreational and experimental drug use, and ensuring the
availability of treatment centers and social services.
In May, the government released a study on drug addition
treatment
programs that stressed the importance of services provided by
telephone and the internet. As a result, the Czech government
produced an online "Map of Help" including contact
information for
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all drug treatment programs in the Czech Republic.
18. To provide high-level treatment services to clients all
over the
country, the National Strategy set standards that are
required from
all drug treatment providers. In connection with this effort,
the
government began a certification process in 2005 for treatment
facilities. All providers of secondary and tertiary prevention
programs that applied for governmental funding in 2006 were
required
to have received prior government certification.
Certification of
primary prevention programs under the administration of the
Ministry
of Education was delayed although all such providers must
obtain
certification prior to the end of 2008.
19. Since January, mandatory drug testing of individuals
suspected of
traffic violations is now required by law but is facing
problems due
to a lack of resources. Traffic police do not have enough
test kits
and the law allows police only to test the driver's saliva as
opposed to sweat which is more commonly used in many other
European
countries.
20. IV. U.S. Policy Initiatives and Programs
Bilateral Cooperation. The U.S. covers Czech Republic drug
issues
through the DEA office in Warsaw, which maintained a
cooperative
relationship with Czech counterparts. The State Department
has not
given grants for counternarcotics education recently.
The Road Ahead. The U.S. and the Czech Republic will continue
their
active cooperation as the Czech Republic implements its
National
Drug Policy Strategy document for 2005-2009.
21. VI. Chemical Control
The Czech Republic no longer has domestic ephedrine
production. One
company produces the precursor chemical lysergic acid. IVEX
(former
Galena a.s. Ostrava) produces ergometrine and ergotamine, as
well as
a small amount of lysergic acid. IVEX is a member of the
"Association of Chemical producers of the Czech Republic."
The INC
company, which used to produce ephedrine, closed its
production in
2004, and in 2005 sold its remaining stock primarily to the
U.S.
company Novus which purchased about 30 tons. Additionally,
South
African companies purchased about 3 tons and Argentinean and
Brazilian companies bought several tons as well. Pharmac
imports
small amounts of ephedrine from India for the production of
pills
fighting Parkinson disease.
22. Chemical control in the Czech Republic is regulated under
the law on
Addictive Substances No. 167/1998Col. The latest amendment
from
March 2006, No 74/2006 Col, fully harmonized Czech law with EU
requirements. Export as well as import licenses from third
countries
are now required for precursors and essential chemicals since
July
2004.
23. The Inspectorate of Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances
of the
Czech Ministry of Health monitors production and distribution
of
precursor chemicals and issues the necessary export as well as
import licenses. The State Institute for Drug Control
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together with
regional government offices control and monitor distribution
to
pharmacies and sale of substances and pills containing
precursors
(ephedrine and egrotamine) since many of them are available
without
special prescription. Over the counter flu medicine contains
less
than 30 mg of ephedrine or pseudoephedrine. Medicines
containing
more ephedrine or pseudoephedrine require a prescription from
a
doctor. Rohypnol and subutex (buprenorphin) are also only
available
by prescription which enables health authorities to better
control
selling and prescribing of these pills.
24. Specially trained representatives of the National Drug
Headquarters
will begin assisting in controlling pharmaceutical sales.
However,
the government is still finalizing the accreditation system
for
policemen. The National Drug Headquarters is responsible for
the
detection of the abuse of precursors.
25. Cooperation among representatives of the Ministry of
Health,
Ministry of Industry and Trade, Police and Customs is very
good.
The Police, Customs Service and chemical and pharmaceutical
trade
associations have signed a "Memorandum of Understanding" to
increase
communication regarding suspicious precursor sales and
purchases and
has resulted in several investigations. Pharmacies and
chemical
companies are required by the MOU to report to police or
custom
authorities any suspicious purchases or sale of precursors.
26. The Czech Customs Service gained new responsibilities
such as
monitoring transports and imports and exports of precursors
to and
from third countries as a result of a 2004 reorganization.
They are
also responsible for monitoring growth of poppy seeds and
cannabis
which contains less than 2 percent THC.
GRABER