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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL STRATEGY REPORT, MARCH 1996: ROMANIA
United States Department of State
Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
I. Summary.
Illicit drug traffickers are continuing to use Romania as a significant
transshipment point for smuggling heroin and cannabis products to
Western Europe. However, Romanian authorities report that illicit drugs
transshipped through Romania declined markedly in 1995. Romanian
authorities maintain that the decreased volume of drugs seized and a
declining number of arrests indicate an improved situation in Romania.
The continuation of the war in the former Yugoslavia and an increase in
Western travelers (both business and tourist) contributed to the
expansion of drug trafficking noted in 1995. Moreover, Government of
Romania (GOR) authorities suggest that stepped-up enforcement efforts by
Romanian police and security services may be reducing trafficking
through Romania. Interpol statistics show large seizures of heroin and
hashish in countries along the Balkan Route to the north and south of
Romania, which suggests that seizures made in Romania may not reflect
the actual level of trafficking through the country. Efforts to
increase interdiction remain hampered by a lack of resources, potential
corruption, disorganization, and relatively light penalties for drug
trafficking convictions. Romania is a party to the 1988 UN Convention.
II. Status of Country.
Romania's location, corruption within the police and security services,
liberal visa policies, and traditional ties to Middle Eastern countries
make it a prime candidate for illicit drug transit. Drug traffickers
unable to move shipments easily through the war zone of former
Yugoslavia have turned to routes through Romania. Concern for the
presence of "racketeers" from Russia and countries of the former Soviet
Union has also sparked increased efforts to investigate potential money
laundering in Romania. These efforts have netted some small seizures,
but with few arrests of major narcotics traffickers or racketeering
"king pins."
III. Country Actions Against Drugs in 1995.
Romania reported no new policy initiatives in 1995, although the GOR is
beginning to implement several initiatives begun in 1993 and 1994. The
GOR has declared an intent to deepen its international cooperation in
combating illegal drugs and is drafting new laws to target drug
trafficking, to control precursor and essential chemicals and to make
money laundering a crime.
The number of drug arrests appears to be down slightly from last year
(25 in 1995 and 33 in 1994). All of these arrests concerned relatively
small amounts found in hand luggage, in concealed compartments on
Transport International Routier (TIR) trucks, in personal automobiles,
and on individuals. The total amounts of opium, heroin, cocaine, and
hashish seized are insignificant compared to previous seizures. For the
first time, statistics reflect the seizure of amphetamines and
psychedelic drugs.
Corruption. Romania has yet to take effective action against official
corruption which is considered to be a serious problem; however, the
U.S. Government is not aware of any reports of official narcoticsrelated
corruption in 1995.
A relatively simple banking system and the devaluation of Romanian
currency have prevented large-scale drug money laundering in Romania.
The GOR does not have asset seizure legislation or legislation to
establish a chemical control monitoring regime.
Agreements and Treaties. Romanian authorities are cooperating with the
United States and other Western countries in upholding extradition
agreements and on other legal and consular matters involving the arrest
of US citizens for narcotics trafficking. Romania is a signatory to the
1961 Single Convention on Drugs as amended by the 1972 Protocol and
also has acceded to the 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances.
Romania has ratified the 1988 UN Convention, but has not fully
implemented necessary enforcement statutes.
Cultivation/Production. Cultivation is limited to licit opium poppy for
Romania's pharmaceutical needs. Local drug use is rare, but opium poppy
and cannabis are grown in small quantities for culinary and household
use. There have been no reports of illicit drug processing inside
Romania.
Domestic Programs. There are no reliable estimates of addiction levels
and there are no treatment/demand reduction programs or facilities in
either the public or private sector. Per capita income is low and most
Romanians cannot afford to purchase illicit drugs.
IV. U.S. Policy Initiatives and Programs.
Policy Initiatives and Bilateral Cooperation. The U.S. Government
continues to promote increased GOR attention to the drug problem and
will encourage anti-drug cooperation with those nations, primarily in
Western Europe, most directly affected by heroin smuggling through
Romania. The U.S. Government is also encouraging support from the
United Nations Drug Control Program (UNDCP) to assist Romania's customs
and police with detection equipment and training.
The United States Government continued to provide modest Department of
State funded assistance through the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration
(DEA) and the U.S. Customs Service for Romanian law enforcement and
customs officials. The U.S. Government will continue to encourage the
GOR to expand its drug control activities and to establish the necessary
legislative and institutional capabilities needed to meet its
commitments under the 1988 UN Convention.
In addition, the U.S. Government will urge the GOR to give more
attention to creating a cadre of professional law enforcement officials
to target drug problems, and will continue to provide limited law
enforcement and demand reduction training and equipment to assist
Romania's anti-drug efforts.
The Road Ahead. Much remains to be done in encouraging Romania to
fulfill the goals and objectives of the UN Conventions to which it is
now a party. The United States will continue to assist Romania in
developing a strong drug control program.
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