1998 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report

Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
United States Department of State
February 26, 1999

ITALY

I. Summary

The Government of Italy (GOI) is firmly committed to the fight against drug trafficking. Italian organized crime groups continue to be involved in international drug trafficking and money laundering. The collapse of the former Soviet Union and turmoil in the former Yugoslavia has strengthened links between Italian organized crime and Russian and Albanian counterparts. GOI cooperation with U.S. law enforcement agencies continues to be exemplary, and major Italian organized crime fugitives were arrested in 1998. Italy is a party to the 1988 UN Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.

II. Status of Country

Italy is not a drug producing country. There is no indication that there are heroin processing laboratories in Italy now. The last time a heroin processing laboratory was discovered was in 1985, and the last time locally produced heroin was seized was in 1987. Although there are no cocaine laboratories in Italy, Colombians and Italians have jointly set up cocaine refining sites. Cocaine paste or cocaine impregnated tapestry is imported into Italy and cocaine HCL is obtained from it.

III. Country Actions Against Drugs in 1998

Policy Initiatives. Possession of small amounts of illegal drugs is not a criminal offense in Italy. Although polls indicate that 70 percent of the population is opposed to the legalization of drugs, the Italian Radical Party has proposed legislation to legalize drugs such as hashish and marijuana. Italy continues to promote the Teledrug system (a "real time" system facilitating sharing of drug intelligence information among nations) in which 13 countries participate. Italy has asked the United States to participate in this system. The Central Counterdrug Agency provides training in Italy for Italian and foreign officers, such as Russians and Albanians. As of September 1998, the agency had drug liaison officers in 18 countries. Italy is a major contributor to the United Nations Drug Control Program (UNDCP) based in Vienna and contributed approximately $9 million in 1998 to UN programs to combat illegal drugs and crime.

Accomplishments. Several major organized crime figures were arrested in 1998.

Law Enforcement Efforts. The GOI devotes extraordinary resources to the fight against drug trafficking. The fight against drugs has been a priority in the organizational restructuring of all police services underway in recent months.

Corruption. There is no indication of drug-related corruption in the GOI.

Agreements and Treaties. Italy is a party to the 1961 UN Single Convention and its 1972 Protocol, the 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances and the 1988 UN Drug Convention. Both Extradition and Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties are in place between Italy and the U.S. Italy is a member of the Italian-American-Canadian-French working group, as well as the bilateral Italian-American working group. As a member of the European community, Italy participates in the Dublin Group, UNDCP, Pompidou Group, EUROPOL, and EU Cabinet and attendant committees and working groups.

Cultivation and Production. There is no known coca bush in Italy. However, some opium poppy grows spontaneously in the southern part of Italy and the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. Its alkaloid content, however, is minimal and does not present a real threat. Although small amounts of home-grown marijuana are cultivated in southern Italy, its THC content is so low that it can only be marketed locally.

Drug Flow/Transit. Italy is a consumer and transshipment country. It is a major transit point for heroin coming from southwest Asia destined to other European nations. The "Balkan Route" is still a heavily utilized shipping route and political turmoil in Balkan countries detoured shipments of drugs through Italy, as indicated by an increased seizure rate of heroin for 1998. The flow of cocaine into Italy remains steady. It is transported by boat from South America as well as by land from major European ports. Cannabis seizures decreased slightly in 1998. Although not indicated in seizure statistics, Italian authorities report an increasing use of ecstasy, which comes mostly from other western European countries, such as the Netherlands.

Domestic Programs. The GOI is working on implementation of the DARE program. As of December 31, 1997, Italy had 552 public health departments, operated by the Ministry of Health, which assisted 94,955 patients (80,897 male and 14,058 female). Of this number, 40,864 receive drug substitutes in an effort to treat their addictions (these statistics are based on data submitted by 517 of the 552 departments). In addition, there are 1,348 social rehabilitation centers operated with different levels of government funding, which assist a total of 22,176 patients (these statistics are based on data submitted by 1,253 of the 1,348 centers).

IV. U.S. Policy Initiatives and Programs

Bilateral Cooperation. The U.S. and Italy continue to enjoy exemplary cooperation on counternarcotics efforts. U.S. and Italian law enforcement authorities continue to carry out numerous joint operations against drug traffickers, money launderers, and organized crime. Cooperation on extradition and mutual legal assistance is generally very good.

The Road Ahead. The U.S. will continue to work closely with Italy on law enforcement operations and investigations targeting international narcotics trafficking networks and organized crime.