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 LJUBLJANA 00000700 001.2 OF 002 ¶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 LJUBLJANA 00000700 002.2 OF 002 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