INCSR - DRAFT REPORT

UNCLAS COPENHAGEN 000490 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR DRL:JLYLE, EUR/NB E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SNAR PREL DA SUBJECT: INCSR - DRAFT REPORT REF: STATE 97228 (U) SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED--NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION. ¶1. (SBU) There follows post's submission for the annual International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) for Denmark: ¶I. Summary Denmark's relatively central geographic location and status as one of Europe's transportation hubs make it an attractive drug destination and transit country. The Danish authorities cooperate closely with counter-narcotics authorities in their Scandinavian neighbors, the European Union (EU),and the U.S. government (USG) to prevent the transit of illegal drugs. Additionally, building on a multi-year partnership, Denmark now plays an important role in helping the Baltic states combat narcotics trafficking. Danish authorities acknowledge that the European Union's open border environment and high volume of international trade will inevitably result in a certain level of illegal drug shipments transiting Denmark undetected. Nonetheless, regional cooperation has contributed to substantial heroin and increased cocaine seizures throughout the Scandinavian/Baltic region. Denmark is a party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention and bilateral U.S.-Denmark counter-narcotics cooperation is excellent. II. Status of Country Drug traffickers routinely use Denmark's comprehensive transportation network to bring illicit drugs to Denmark for domestic consumption and transshipment to other Nordic and European countries. Danish police report that drugs from the Balkans, Russia, the Baltic nations, and Central Europe routinely pass through Denmark en route to other EU states and the U.S., although the amount flowing to the U.S. is very small. Police authorities do not believe that entities based or operating in Denmark play a significant role in the production of drugs or in the trading and transit of precursor chemicals. III. Country Actions Against Drugs in 2009 Policy Initiatives. EU legislation passed in 2008 requires persons carrying cash or instruments exceeding 10,000 Euros to report the relevant amount to Customs officials upon entry to or exit from Denmark. As organized crime and drug traffickers have attempted to evade these constraints, Danish Customs has intercepted increased levels of illegal funds. This, in turn, has had a favorable impact on drug-related investigations, where illicit sales are almost always conducted on a cash basis. Law Enforcement Efforts. Over the past four years there has been a significant increase in cocaine seizures by police authorities in Denmark. Cocaine investigations and seizures remain the top priority of counter-narcotics police efforts in Denmark. According to the Danish National Police, the increase in cocaine seizures can be attributed to police efforts to fight organized crime with systematic, focused investigations aimed at specific recognized criminal groups and networks. The police remain committed to "goal oriented and systematic efforts" to fight organized crime close cooperation with the European police intelligence center Europol and with other foreign police authorities. Police authorities state that cocaine trafficking in Denmark is controlled primarily by Serbian, Montenegrin and Moroccan nationals, with most supplies originating from South America. Police continue to target the distribution system for illegal drugs by prosecuting members of the Hell's Angels and Banditos motorcycle gangs and immigrant gangs for violations of Denmark's strict tax laws. Authorities focus on tax evasion by members of gangs because successful prosecutions disrupt their networks and significantly impede their ability to traffic illegal drugs. Heroin availability in Denmark fluctuates closely with the levels of heroin production in Afghanistan - it is traditionally smuggled into Denmark via the Balkans. Turkish, Afghan, Iranian and Pakistani nationals control much of the heroin trafficking in Denmark. West African groups routinely utilize drug couriers to smuggle cocaine via commercial flights from various European cities. According to police, a recent development is the active participation of Middle Eastern groups in cocaine trafficking to Denmark. Lastly, authorities in Denmark, as well as those in other Nordic countries, have noted an increase in the indoor cultivation of marijuana by ethnic Vietnamese immigrant groups. Law enforcement statistics from 2008 year-end show a mixed picture relative to the quantities of Ecstasy pills, heroin, hashish, amphetamines, and cocaine seized by Danish authorities. The number of Ecstasy pills significantly decreased from 82,400 pills in 2007 to 17,600 pills in 2008. The quantity of heroin seized also decreased, but less significantly, from 48 kilograms in 2007 to 44 kilograms in 2008. Meanwhile, the amount of amphetamines seized in 2008 (120 kilograms) strongly increased from 2007 figures (70 kilograms). Similarly, the amount of hashish seized greatly increased from 877 kilograms in 2007 to 2,914 kilograms in 2008. Marijuana likewise showed an increase from 70 kilograms in 2007 to 170 kilograms in 2008. Lastly, cocaine seizures by Danish police fell from 92 kilograms in 2007 to 56 kilograms in 2008. Initial figures for 2009 (first 9 months) show that Danish authorities have seized of 61 kilograms of amphetamines, 48,000 pills of Ecstasy, 748 kilograms of hashish, 12 kilograms of heroin, and 55 kilograms of cocaine. Corruption. Denmark prohibits the unlicensed production and distribution of narcotics and other controlled substances, as well as the laundering of proceeds from illegal drug transactions. According to judicial records, no senior Danish official has been charged or alleged to have participated in activities associated with illegal drugs in either 2008 or 2009. Agreements and Treaties. Denmark is a party to the 1988 United Nations (UN) Drug Convention, the 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and the 1961 UN Single Convention, as amended by the 1972 Protocol. Denmark is also party to the UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime, as well as its associated Protocols Against Migrant Smuggling and Trafficking in Persons and the UN Convention Against Corruption. The U.S. and Denmark have a Mutual Customs Assistance Agreement and an Extradition Agreement. The two countries have concluded protocols to strengthen the Mutual Customs Assistance Agreement and Extradition Agreement and have exchanged Instruments of Ratification. The strengthening protocols will enter in force at the same time as the parallel U.S.-EU agreements come into effect. Finally, Denmark is a major contributor to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC),committing approximately $2.0 million annually to the organization. Cultivation/Production. There is no suspected major cultivation or production of illegal drugs in Denmark. There are no suspected MDMA (ecstasy) laboratories in Denmark. Drug Flow/Transit. Denmark remains a transit country for drugs on their way to neighboring European states due to its relatively central location, efficient transportation system, and open borders. The ability of Danish authorities to interdict illegal drug traffic is constrained by EU's open border policies. The Danish police report that the smuggling of cannabis into Denmark is typically carried out by road, originating from the Netherlands and Spain. Amphetamines are also smuggled from the Netherlands, via Germany, to Denmark. Once in country, illegal drugs are typically distributed by the two largest motorcycle gangs, as well as smaller immigrant-based gang networks. Amphetamines from Poland and Lithuania are reportedly transshipped through Germany. Domestic Programs/Demand Reduction. Denmark's Ministry of Health estimates there are approximately 27,000 persons addicted to illegal drugs in Denmark. According to a government-sponsored study in 2008, among 16-34 year olds, 48 percent report having tried cannabis at least once, 10.5 percent reported at least one instance of amphetamine use, and 9.5 percent have tried cocaine at least one time. Compared to a similar 2003 report, reported usage was up slightly in all surveyed categories. The government strategy to combat drug abuse is multi-faceted; combining education, interdiction, prosecution (particularly against organized crime and gang activity),medical treatment, and social assistance. Denmark has established extensive programs to combat drug abuse in schools and its prison system. In 2008, the Danish government dedicated significant additional resources to its drug treatment facilities and programs. IV. U.S. Policy Initiatives and Programs Bilateral Cooperation. U.S. counter-narcotic strategy in Denmark is to cooperate closely with Danish authorities in identifying, interdicting and prosecuting international drug traffickers. The U.S. also participates in joint investigations when requested. Finally, the U.S. coordinates counter-narcotic strategy with all eight countries of the Nordic-Baltic regions. The USG enjoys excellent cooperation with its Danish counterparts on all counter-narcotics issues. The Drug Enforcement Administration located in the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen coordinates bilateral cooperation with the Danish government. Future Plans. Danish law enforcement authorities should soon be greatly facilitated in their counter-narcotics effort by pending legislation that will allow them expanded use of informants in counter-narcotics operations. It is also anticipated that Danish law enforcement authorities will receive additional financial resources as the corrosive effect of illegal drug activity is now widely discussed and condemned in Danish society. The border-free environment of the EU makes trafficking easier in many ways, but Danish authorities have expanded their intelligence gathering and are now more focused in interdicting illegal flows, apprehending traffickers, and successfully prosecuting them in the judicial system. Lastly, the Danish government is dedicated to expanding its drug education and programs to both prevent new victims and rescue those who are currently addicted. The USG, specifically through its DEA office at the U.S. Embassy will continue to cooperate and share appropriate information with Danish counter-narcotic authorities and build upon the already strong bilateral program. FULTON