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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL STRATEGY REPORT, MARCH 1996: NORWAY

United States Department of State

Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs


NORWAY

I. Summary

Narcotics production is rare, but police believe Norway is increasingly becoming a transit country for drugs from Central Europe destined for other Nordic and Western European markets. In 1995, Norway experienced a large increase in drug seizures, while narcotics prices decreased significantly. Drug use is increasing, primarily among teens.

Norway is not an important financial center, and money laundering is illegal. Enforcement by Norwegian Customs officials meets the requirements of the chemical control provisions of the 1988 UN Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.

II. Status of Country

According to police statistics, seizures of heroin, amphetamines, cocaine, ecstasy, and cannabis increased dramatically (both in number and size). There were more than 9,000 seizures in 1995, compared with approximately 6,000 in 1994. In 1995, Norwegian police and customs officials seized their largest quantities of drugs to date: 49 kilos of heroin; 53 kilos of amphetamines; 3.8 kilos of cocaine; 19,939 kilos of cannabis; and 11,799 ecstasy tablets. During 1995, arrests increased, the price of heroin went down, demand for drugs increased, drug-related deaths rose, and couriers took bigger risks. National reports from schools showed an alarming rise of drug abuse among students. The greatest increase in drug abuse occurred among teens (ages 16-20), where there is growing acceptance of drug use. The rising popularity of designer drugs such as ecstasy, hashish, amphetamines, LSD, and cocaine concern Norwegian officials. Though the media seems to blame increasing drug flows on immigrant traffickers, the Oslo police believe that statistics do not completely support this view.

III. Country Actions Against Drugs in 1995

Policy Initiatives. The Government of Norway (GON) gives a high priority to the fight against illegal drugs. Opposition parties in Parliament recently won their fight to add another NOK 1O million (USD 1.5 million) specifically for narcotics control. This will strengthen existing drug control programs in the Customs and Excise Department, the Justice and Police Department, and the Health and Social Affairs Department. The National Bureau for Crime Investigation was recently mandated to collect nationwide criminal intelligence related to illicit drugs.

Agreements and Treaties. Norway is a party to the 1988 UN Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, and complies fully with its objectives. Norway is also a party to the 1961 Single Convention, as amended in 1972, and the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. Norway has bilateral Customs Agreements with the United States, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and Russia. Norway also has a Customs Agreement with the EU and posts customs liaison officers in London, Madrid, Islamabad, and Karachi. Norway is a member of the Dublin Group; the "Pompidou Group', which it has chaired since 1991; INTERPOL; the Nordic Police and Customs Initiative (PTN); and the Nordic Coordinating Council on Drug Abuse. According to the UN Drug Control Program (UNDCP), Norway pledged approximately $1.36 million in FY95 contributions to the UNDCP. Norway is also part of the joint effort, with Sweden, Finland and Denmark, to train Baltic police officers in narcotics work.

Law Enforcement Efforts. The Chief of Police for Narcotics recently stated that about 70% of the 220 persons held in custody for serious narcotics crimes are foreigners directly linked to organized crime rings. He further indicated that persons from Central Europe (especially the Former Yugoslavia) are increasingly dominating the narcotics market, especially heroin. He also said Chinese triads are established in Norway.

Corruption. Official corruption is rare, and punishable under Norwegian law.

Cultivation/Production. The United States Government (USG) is unaware of any cultivation of illicit drugs in Norway.

Drug flow/Transit. Though narcotics are rarely produced in Norway, authorities have witnessed an increase in drugs transiting Norway via the Balkan route. The route has changed as a result of the conflict in the Former Yugoslavia. Instead of using the Near East route via GreeceYugoslavia -Germany-Scandinavia, traffickers bring drugs into Scandinavia by air and water from the Near East via Turkey, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and Germany. Authorities note the drug business is becoming more dangerous to all concerned. Increasingly, recipients in Oslo pick up narcotics, kill the courier, and dump the body in a remote place outside of town. Drug-related violence often threatens police and their families.

Demand Reduction. Although the narcotics division of the Norwegian Police regularly seeks more funds and "weapons" such as broader use of wiretaps, the GON uses most of its resources on treatment instead of prevention or enforcement efforts to control the distribution of illicit drugs. Some observers are concerned that Norway may be swayed by policy decisions in West European countries to legalize possession and use of light drugs. Under its drug control program, the GON distributes clean needles to users, but this does not appear to be a weakening of the government's policy of banning the use of illegal drugs. Norway's policy concerning education on narcotics for police, parents, and children needs major improvement if it is to be effective.

IV. US Policy Initiatives and Programs

Bilateral Cooperation. Norwegian counter-narcotics authorities cooperate regularly with their US counterparts. In 1995, the United States had no counter-narcotics programs in Norway.

The Road Ahead. The USG seeks to build on already good counternarcotics law enforcement cooperation with the GON and to increase cooperation between the two governments in international narcotics fora. The USG will encourage Norway to continue its support of drug control projects in the Baltic countries.

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