SLOVAKIA: 2008-2009 INCSR PART 1

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 BRATISLAVA 000527 SIPDIS INR FOR JOHN LYLE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SNAR LO SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA: 2008-2009 INCSR PART 1 REF: SECSTATE 100992 ¶1. Post's submission for the "2008-2009 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) Part I, Drugs and Chemical Control," follows in paragraph 2. This report includes statistical information on seizures for the calendar year 2007. If information for the year 2008 becomes available in time, an updated submission will be sent before January 30, 2009. POC for the INCSR, Part 1 in Slovakia is Fascell Fellow Aaron Chase. Telephone 421 918 553 376, email ChaseAU@state.gov. ¶2. ¶I. Summary Slovakia is a party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention. Slovakia is not a major exporter of drugs. Cannabis and synthetic drugs are mostly produced locally for the domestic market and are mostly distributed outside the ambit of organized crime. Cocaine and heroin are imported by organized criminal groups. Synthetic drugs, including methamphetamine, pervitin (MDMA), and mCPP are of the most concern to Slovak authorities as they are popular among youth and can result in severe health and social problems for users. Slovak Police reported significantly higher seizures of wet cannabis, pervitin, and psiocin (psychotropic mushrooms) in calendar year 2007 as compared to 2006. II. Status of Country Interest in synthetic drugs, especially pervitin and Ecstasy, has driven an increase in local processing and production, as well as in the trade of precursors including ephedrine and pharmaceuticals from which ephedrine can be extracted. Slovak authorities attribute the rising interest in synthetic drugs to their low price, accessibility and the greater effect they provide in comparison to more traditional stimulants such as cocaine. Cannabis is the most commonly abused narcotic in Slovakia. Local cannabis production is on the increase, especially hydroponically grown cannabis with sharply increased THC content. Police believe consumer interest in hydroponically grown cannabis, attributable to experience with higher-THC varieties imported from Western Europe, has driven growth in this sector. Officials report the market for heroin and cocaine is saturated. Supplies remain high and prices historically low despite the seizure of nearly three times as much cocaine in 2007 as compared to 2006. Authorities believe heroin is usually imported from the Balkans by organized groups of ethnic-Albanian criminals, working in concert with ethnic-Turkish groups that move it from points of production. The same ethnic-Albanian groups largely control the trade in cocaine, which is usually of South American or Caribbean origin. For all drugs, regional differentiation in consumption is diminishing. Pricier narcotics, including cocaine and heroin, remain modestly more prevalent in the wealthier west, but officials describe narcotics use generally as a concern across the whole territory. III. Country Actions Against Drugs in 2007 - Policy Initiatives In 2005, the National Program for the Fight against Drugs 2005-2008 was adapted into actions plans for relevant ministries and regional authorities in accordance with the "Action Plan of the EU for the Fight Against Drugs." At the same time, the Slovak Republic Government Office issued an instruction setting out the activities of regional authorities in the field of narcotics, and unifying procedures for establishing regional coordination commissions for narcotics issues. County Councils were abolished as from October 1, 2007, and their duties and functions were delegated to district councils, which are organized according to the same geographic areas but which are appointed by provincial self-governments. - Law Enforcement Efforts The valid Penal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure became effective January 1, 2006. Sections 171 and 135 of the Penal Code set a maximum sentence of three years incarceration for possession of up to three doses of any narcotic substance, and up to five years for possession of 4-10 doses. Possession of more than 10 doses is considered possession for other than BRATISLAVA 00000527 002 OF 004 personal consumption and is punishable by 10-15 years imprisonment. In calendar year 2007, Slovak authorities pursued 2,390 criminal cases involving illegal narcotics. Heroin - 212 cases involving seizure of 2,150.23 g of powder, and 49 cases involving seizure of 12.84 ml of solution. Cannabis - 1,257 cases involving seizure of 166.12 kg of dry herbs, 8 cases involving seizure of 154.04 kg of wet herbs, and 32 cases involving seizure of 468.93 g of hashish. Cocaine - 15 cases involving seizure of 278.36 g of powder. Methamphetamines - 677 cases involving seizure of 1,333.05 g of powder, and 24 cases involving seizure of 6.17 ml of solution. MDMA - 44 cases involving seizure of 1,464 tablets, and 1 case involving seizure of 0.32 g of powder. mCPP - 2 cases involving seizure of 2 tablets, and 1 case involving seizure of 0.32 g of powder. Amphetamine - 1 case involving seizure of 9 tablets, and 3 cases involving seizure of 1.57 g of powder. Psilocin (mushrooms) - 8 cases involving seizure of 39.83 g of mushrooms. Ephedrine - 13 cases involving seizure of 11,108 tablets. Pseudoephedrine - 20 cases involving seizure of 35.13 g of powder, and 1 case involving seizure of 3 ml of solution. Flunitrazepam - 1 case involving the seizure of 1 ml of solution. Diazepam - 15 cases involving seizure of 372 tablets, and 1 case involving seizure of 3 ml of solution. Bromazepam - 2 cases involving seizure of 2 tablets. Etylmorphin - 1 case involving seizure of 1 tablet. Zoldipem - 4 cases involving seizure of 100 tablets. Morphine - 2 cases involving seizure of 12 tablets. 2C-B - 1 case involving the seizure of 1 tablet. Midazolam - 1 case involving the seizure of 1 tablet. Temazepam - 1 case involving the seizure of 58 tablets. LSD - 1 case involving the seizure of 1 dose. Pentazocine - 2 cases involving seizure of 4 tablets, and 1 case involving the seizure of 3.07 g of powder. Klonazepam - 3 cases involving seizure of 26 tablets. Buprenorphine - 3 cases involving seizure of 16 tablets. Oxycodon - 1 case involving the seizure of 7 tablets. Diphenoxylate - 1 case involving the seizure of 6 tablets. - Corruption As a matter of policy and by all accounts in practice, the Government of Slovakia 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. Corruption more generally, however, remains a concern in both the public and private spheres. Agreements and Treaties. Slovakia is a party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention; the 1961 UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, as amended by the 1972 Protocol; the 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances; and the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its three protocols. Slovakia ratified the 2003 UN Corruption Convention on June 1, 2006. In conjunction with Slovakia's accession to the European Union in 2004, Slovakia implemented the following acts of the European institutions in national legislation: BRATISLAVA 00000527 003 OF 004 Council Framework Decision 2004/757/JAI of 25 October 2004 laying down minimum provisions on the constituent elements of criminal acts and penalties in the field of illicit drug trafficking; Regulation (EC) No 273/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 February 2004 on drug precursors; Council Regulation (EEC) No 111/2005 of 22 December 2004 laying down rules for the monitoring of trade in drug precursors between the Community and third countries; Commission Regulation (EC) No 1277/2005 of 27 July 2005 laying down implementing rules for Regulation (EC) No 273/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council on drug precursors and for Council Regulation (EC) No 111/2005 laying down rules for the monitoring of trade between the Community and third countries in drug precursors Council Decision 2005/387/JHA of 10 May 2005 on the information exchange, risk-assessment and control of new psychoactive substances 2001/419/JHA: Council Decision of 28 May 2001 on the transmission of samples of controlled substances - Cultivation/Production Cannabis is increasingly cultivated in laboratory conditions as a "hydroponic crop." Under such conditions, it is possible to cultivate and harvest multiple crops of cannabis with elevated tetrahydrocanabinol (THC) each year. Seeds are mainly imported from the Netherlands, although authorities report increasing cases of cannabis grown from locally produced, high-quality hybrids. Cannabis was mainly grown in family homes and rented commercial properties. Slovak authorities report that a small but increasing portion of the locally produced cannabis crop is exported. Over the last 4 years, methamphetamine production and use has steadily increased in Slovakia. It is now the second most prevalent drug after cannabis. Slovak authorities believe the increase in production is driven by increasing domestic demand. Pervitin, produced from ephedrine and/or pseudoephedrine, is produced in special "laboratories," which produce bulk amounts of a high quality, and in small "kitchen labs". Although the "kitchen labs" produce a lower quality product less efficiently, authorities believe they were more popular with suppliers for their low start-up costs and ease of transport. Slovak-made pervitin was found on the Hungarian and Austrian markets. The precursor for its production, in a powder form, was mainly imported from the Czech Republic. Precursors in the form of tablets, was mainly imported from Hungary and Turkey. Locally available OTC medicines, as well as OTC imports from Hungary and Austria, were also used for the production of pervitin. Slovak authorities concluded that Modafen, Nurofen and Clarinase were the most commonly abused, domestically available OTC inputs. As of January 1st, 2008, there were 8 OTC medicines containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine available in the Slovak Republic. Slovak authorities report that producers and dealers of pervitin usually dealt in small quantities, and rarely appeared to be associated with organized criminal groups. In most cases, ecstasy and pervitin were distributed concurrently by the same actors, mainly at discos or cultural events catering to young adults. In response to profit motives and fears of prosecution, Slovak producers continue to develop and experiment with new types of psychotropic and narcotic substances of synthetic origin. "mCPP", a drug with similar effects to ecstasy, has been produced and available in Slovakia since 2006. It is sold in the tablet form at a very low price to appeal to individuals with lower incomes, notably high school and university students. Until November 1, 2007, mCPP was not included on the list of the controlled substances and its import was not criminal. mCPP is now on the list of controlled substances and, like other narcotics and psychotropic substances, its import, export, production and distribution are criminal offenses. Hallucinogens, including LSD, magic mushrooms, and datura were consumed sporadically by youth and there was no organized market for these drugs. Hashish was mainly imported by tourists from countries including Spain and Egypt. Drug flow/Transit. Foreign criminal groups with local contacts, especially ethnic-Albanian and Turkish groups, are BRATISLAVA 00000527 004 OF 004 thought to be responsible for most of the imports and transshipments of heroin (from Central Asia),and cocaine from South America and Africa. Slovak Customs officials believe that many narcotics once transshipped through Slovakia from Ukraine are now diverted north or south due to the intensely protected border. U.S. donations of training and equipment are partially credited for this trend. Domestic Programs (Demand Reduction). The National Program for the Fight against Drugs (NPFD) 2004-2008 is primarily directed at activities to reduce drug demand. The National Strategy also defines key ministries for the implementation of prevention, including the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Family. Drug-use prevention is an integral part of the education process at schools. Positions for Drug Prevention Coordinators have been created at many schools, and Pedagogical and Psychological Counseling Centers have been established in each district. Since 2006, these centers have included programs that focus preventing social pathologies related to drug use, training courses for peer activists, teacher training, and methodological assistance to school psychologists and educational counselors. IV. U.S. Policy Initiatives and Programs Bilateral cooperation. The Regional DEA Office in Vienna shares information with the Slovak Police Presidium on operational issues of mutual interest, and has offered training for Slovak counterparts in the past. Road Ahead. The U.S. will continue to work with the Government of Slovakia to fight drug transit through Slovakia and to assist with drug treatment as appropriate. OBSITNIK