|
|
|
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL STRATEGY REPORT, MARCH 1996: LUXEMBOURG
United States Department of State
Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
I. Summary
Luxembourg is an important international banking and financial center,
and the Government of Luxembourg (GOL) works aggressively to deter money
laundering by drug traffickers. Illicit drug production and trafficking
do not pose significant problems in Luxembourg, but small amounts of
drugs transit the country. Although authorities believe there are
relatively few drug users in Luxembourg, they remain concerned about
increasing drug abuse, especially among the youth. Consumption of
ecstasy and LSD has grown. Luxembourg has experienced a higher number
of drug-related deaths in recent years; twenty such deaths occurred in
1995 -- mostly of long-term drug addicts.
The diversion of precursor and essential chemicals to illicit drug
manufacturers is not a significant problem in Luxembourg. In 1995,
Parliament enacted a comprehensive chemical control law, bringing
Luxembourg into compliance with the EU's Directive on Chemical Control.
II. Status of Country
The GOL does not compile statistics on drug abuse. However, authorities
believe that Luxembourg had approximately 2,000 hard drug users and at
least 10,000 cannabis users at the end of 1995. The GOL prosecuted
several minor drug trafficking and numerous drug possession cases during
1995. One significant arrest, which occurred at Luxembourg Airport,
involved a Hong Kong citizen in possession of ten kilograms of heroin
destined for the Netherlands.
III. Country Actions Against Drugs in 1995
Policy Initiatives. In 1995, the GOL proposed new legislation to
institutionalize formally its experimental methadone program, which was
started in 1989. The program treated 60 addicts in 1995 and expects to
treat up to 100 addicts in 1996. The proposed legislation would
authorize the Luxembourg Health Ministry to license doctors to prescribe
methadone for long-term drug addicts who have tried and failed at least
three other treatment programs. The methadone program will be limited
to 300 addicts. Government officials expect Parliament to enact the
methadone law in 1996.
In 1995, Luxembourg began participating in the "mentor" assistance
program, a drug treatment program for street children, by donating
$70,000 for projects in Nicaragua and Colombia.
Accomplishments. In December 1995, the Luxembourg Justice minister and
his BENELUX partners signed a declaration of intent to develop an
agreement which will deepen police and judicial cooperation in
combatting drug trafficking between the three countries. Luxembourg is
considering strengthening its anti-money laundering laws by broadening
the penal code's definition of illegal money laundering to include
laundering of proceeds derived from any criminal activity, not just
narcotics-related activity. The Government deposits forfeited
narcotics-related assets in the "Fonds de Lutte" against narcotics
trafficking; these funds are used to finance demand reduction programs
and to facilitate Luxembourg's participation in multilateral anti-drug
efforts.
Law Enforcement Efforts. In 1995, Luxembourg authorities made 128 drug
arrests, and seized 12.24 kgs of cannabis (compared to 316 kgs in 1994),
13.24 kgs of heroin (compared to 1 kg in 1994), and 0.53 kgs of cocaine
(compared to 15 kgs in 1994).
Corruption. One prominent corruption case featured a Luxembourg
gendarme engaged in drug trafficking.
Agreements and Treaties. Luxembourg is a party to the 1988 UN
Convention Against Illicit Traffic of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic
Substances and generally complies with the Convention's goals and
objectives. Luxembourg is also a party to the 1961 Single Convention,
its 1972 Protocol, and the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Drugs. In
December 1995, Luxembourg and the United States signed an Asset Sharing
Agreement, under which one million dollars of seized proceeds from the
"Santacruz-Londono" prosecutions in the United States were deposited in
the "Fonds de Lutte". In 1995, the United States and Luxembourg reached
agreement on a text for a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty and a Double
Tax Treaty with information sharing provisions: both treaties are
expected to be ratified in 1996. Officials from both governments expect
a Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement and a U.S.-Luxembourg Extradition
Treaty to be signed in 1996. Luxembourg participates in several
international counter-narcotics fora, including the Dublin Group and the
Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The GOL announced plans to ratify
the 1990 Strasbourg Convention on Money Laundering and Asset Seizure in
1996 and is working to bring its domestic laws into compliance.
Cultivation/Production. The United States Government (USG) is unaware
of any reported production of illicit drugs in Luxembourg.
Drug Flow/Transit. In addition to small quantities of illicit drugs
smuggled into Luxembourg via commercial air or overland from neighboring
countries, Luxembourg authorities are concerned about the transit of
significant quantities of drugs through Luxembourg's international
airport.
Demand Reduction. Luxembourg continues to target youth in its demand
reduction efforts. The Ministries of Education, Public Health and
Justice jointly administer anti-drug educational programs. Luxembourg's
new Center for the Prevention of Drug Abuse completed its first full
year of operation in 1995. The Center's main objective for 1996 is to
continue supporting primary prevention efforts by private organizations.
IV. US Policy Initiatives and Programs
Bilateral Cooperation. The USG and the GOL cooperate closely in
counter-narcotics and judicial matters, particularly money laundering
cases.
The Road Ahead. The United States looks forward to continued close law
enforcement and diplomatic cooperation in counter-narcotics initiatives
with Luxembourg, and will seek to work closely with Luxembourg in
disposing of the seized assets deposited in the "Fonds de Lutte" from
the "Santacruz-Londono" prosecutions. The United States welcomes
Luxembourg's active participation in multilateral counter-narcotics fora
such as the Dublin Group and the FATF.
|
