SLOVENIA/INCSR: 2007 - 2008 INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LJUBLJANA 000700

SIPDIS

C O R R E C T E D C O P Y

DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/EUR
DEPATMENT FOR INL, EUR/PGI, EUR/NCE Tom Yeager
SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR KCRM SI
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA/INCSR: 2007 - 2008 INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL
STRATEGY REPORT PART I (CORRECTED COPY ADDED PASS LINE)

REF: STATE 136780

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I. SUMMARY

Slovenia is neither a major drug producer nor a major transit
country for illicit narcotics. The Government of Slovenia (GOS) is
aware that Slovenia's geographic position makes it an attractive
potential transit country for drug smugglers, and it continues to
pursue active counter narcotics policies. Slovenia's preparation for
full Schengen membership on December 21, 2007 possible resulted in a
continued intensive focus on border controls in 2007. Slovenia is a
party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention.

II. STATUS OF COUNTRY

Heroin from Afghanistan, which transits Turkey, continues to be
smuggled via the "Balkan Route" through Slovenia to Western Europe.
Cannabis was the leading confiscated drug in 2007, replacing heroin
at the top spot. Slovenia's main cargo port, Koper, located on the
North Adriatic, is a potential transit point for South American
cocaine and North African cannabis destined for Western Europe. Drug
abuse is not yet a major problem in Slovenia, although authorities
keep a wary eye on heroin abuse, due to the availability of the
drug. Data on national programs to prevent drug use and reduce
demand are unavailable due to an ongoing effort at the Ministry of
Health to overhaul its statistical databases.

III. COUNTRY ACTIONS AGAINST DRUGS IN 2007

Policy Initiatives/Accomplishments. The reduction of the supply of
illicit drugs is one of the national police priorities in Slovenia.
In order to ensure an efficient fight against drug trafficking,
Slovenia is implementing its own national program against drugs to
supplement the 2005-2008 EU strategy and action plan. Slovenia is
tackling illicit drugs and related criminal offenses by conducting
appropriate criminal police operations that include cooperation and
information exchange at the national level as well as at the
regional and international levels. Slovenia takes part in all
relevant international and European fora that aim to combat
organized crime groups that are involved in illicit drugs. Slovenia
willingly contributes to the Comprehensive Operational Strategic
Planning for the Police (COSPOL),led by Italy, that tries to combat
heroin trafficked from Afghanistan to the EU via the Balkan Route.
Slovenia also participates in EUROPOL's Project Mustard, which
assists EU members in combating Turkish and associated criminal
groups involved in drug trafficking, and its Analysis Work File
(AWF) project, which facilitates the collection, analysis, and
dissemination of narcotics-related intelligence among EU members.

Law Enforcement Efforts. Law enforcement agencies seized 783 tablets
of Ecstasy in the first 10 months of 2007 compared with 2,523 in the
first 11 months of 2006. In 2007 authorities seized slightly less
than 59 kg of heroin, compared to slightly less than 134 kg of
heroin seized in 2006. In addition, police netted a little more than
118 kg of marijuana in 2007, compared to just over 45 kg of
marijuana in 2006. Police also seized 8,254 cannabis plants in the
first ten months of 2007, compared to 1,516 cannabis plants seized
in 2006. Through mid-October police seized over 4 kg of cocaine,
roughly the same amount police seized in the same period in 2006.
Police also seized approximately 0.75 kg of amphetamines and
slightly more than 1,000 individual tablets of amphetamines in the
first 10 months of 2007.

Corruption. As a matter of government policy, the GOS 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. There is
no indication that senior officials have encouraged or facilitated
the production or distribution of illicit drugs. Corruption among
police officials is very uncommon.

Agreements and Treaties. Slovenia is a party to the 1988 UN Drug
Convention, the 1961 UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, as
amended by the 1972 Protocol, and the 1971 UN Convention on
Psychotropic Substances. The 1902 extradition treaty between the
United States and the Kingdom of Serbia remains in force between the
United States and Slovenia as a successor state. Slovenia is a party
to the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its
three protocols.

Drug Flow/Transit. Slovenia is on the "Balkan Route" for drugs
moving from Afghanistan, through Turkey, a traditional refining
center for heroin, and then onward to Western Europe. Some heroin is
thought to transit on so-called "TIR" trucks, long-haul trucks
inspected for contraband at their place of embarkation, and then
sealed by customs authorities before their voyage to a final

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destination.

Domestic Programs. Slovenians enjoy national health care provided by
the government. These programs include drug treatment. The Ministry
of Health is in the process of upgrading its databases and altering
its methodology for tracking drug abuse and treatment, so no
statistics for 2007 are currently available.

IV. U.S. POLICY INITIATIVES AND PROGRAMS

Bilateral Cooperation. Slovenian law enforcement authorities have
been willing and capable partners in several ongoing U.S.
investigations.

Road Ahead. Based on the high quality of past cooperation, the USG
expects to continue joint U.S.-Slovenian law enforcement
investigation cooperation into 2008.

Coleman