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

United States Department of State

Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs


SPAIN

I. Summary

Spain is not a significant producer or cultivator of narcotics, but continues to serve as a primary transit site of South American cocaine and Moroccan hashish destined for other parts of Europe. The most notable increase in narcotics consumption in Spain involves the use of designer drugs, such as "ecstasy" (MDMA). Spanish authorities continue to work closely with their US counterparts, and in international organizations, to disrupt drug trafficking into and out of Spain.

While it produces many precursor chemicals, Spain is not a major source of chemicals diverted to illicit drug manufacture. Spanish law with respect to precursor chemicals accords with European Union (EU) directives and with the 1988 UN Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.

II. Status of Country

Consumption of hard drugs such as heroin and cocaine has increased marginally, but the popularity of "designer drugs" such as "ecstasy" has increased dramatically, particularly among Spanish youth. Increasing evidence reveals that some of the chemicals used in manufacturing "designer drugs" are either produced or procured locally in Spain. Consumption of "crack cocaine" remains negligible. While Spanish legislation treats the sale of drugs as a criminal offense, it considers possession of small amounts of drugs--particularly marijuana and hashish--a tolerable offense subject merely to fines.

III. Country Actions Against Drugs in 1995

Policy Initiatives. The Government of Spain (GOS) is increasingly aware of Spain's potential for becoming a significant money laundering center. Parliament recently revised the Spanish penal code to permit stricter surveillance and prosecution of money laundering activity. Legislation grants authorities broader legal power to use undercover agents in monitoring the financial activity of alleged drug traffickers as well as more effective tools to combat money launderers, including the freezing and forfeiture of their assets. Spain's laws comply with the EU Directive on Money Laundering.

Parliament passed legislation to permit the controlled shipment of narcotics for investigative purposes and to create a witness protection program.

The legalization of drugs was again debated in the Spanish press in 1995; a consensus view emerged from the debate that existing national drug laws should not be liberalized.

Accomplishments. Drug seizures increased in 1995, and Spanish law enforcement authorities focused increasingly on combating money laundering activities. The "Charlines" case, in which authorities defrocked a Galician cocaine smuggling organization, established a precedent in Spain for seizing assets of drug traffickers.

Agreements and Treaties. Spain is a party to the 1988 UN Convention, and has enacted special legislation regarding the control of precursor chemicals. Spain is taking the necessary legislative steps to bring its counter-narcotics and crime laws into compliance with EU directives. Spain has an Extradition Treaty and a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty with the United States. Spanish narcotics officials participate in major multilateral narcotics organizations, including the Dublin Group and the UN Drug Control Program (UNDCP). According to UNDCP, Spain pledged approximately $533,000 in FY95 contributions to UNDCP.

Law Enforcement Efforts. Only partial statistics for 1995 are available. According to these statistics, in 1995 Spanish authorities arrested 45,011 individuals for alleged narcotics-related offenses, an increase of over 13,000 from the preceding year. Spanish authorities also seized 6,999 kilos of cocaine (an increase of over 2,800 kilos in 1994), 563 kilos of heroin, 207,325 kilos of hashish, and 756,000 MDMA tablets.

Corruption. The United States Government (USG) has no knowledge of any senior Spanish official engaged in the production or distribution of drugs, or in the laundering of money resulting from such activities.

Cultivation/Production: There is no reported cultivation of illegal drugs in Spain. However, increasing instances have surfaced of local production of synthetic drugs, such as "ecstasy".

Drug Flow/Transit. The US Drug Enforcement Administration, (DEA) estimates that roughly 80% of the South American cocaine destined for Europe transits Spain. This estimate has remained stable for the past five years. Spain also remains a principal transit route for hashish arriving from North Africa bound for European markets.

Demand Reduction. The Spanish Drug Plan Office (PNSD) coordinates demand reduction efforts through its national and regional offices, and in cooperation with non-governmental organizations (NGOs); the most note-worthy NGO dedicated to demand reduction is "Project Man". Another demand reduction program is led by Queen Sofia.

In 1995, a total of 573 people died from drug overdoses, an increase of 193 over drug-related deaths in 1994.

Spain and the United States have signed a Demand Reduction Agreement. While the GOS focuses many of its anti-drug efforts on demand reduction, no activities were undertaken bilaterally under this agreement in 1995.

IV. US Policy Initiatives and Programs

Bilateral Cooperation. The USG and the GOS enjoy excellent law enforcement cooperation. Spanish authorities have cooperated with their American counterparts to combat international narcotics traffickers that route their illicit commerce through Spanish territory. Spanish authorities, within the constraints of current laws, have provided USG authorities with valuable assistance in interdicting drug shipments into Spain and in processing investigations.

Through international exchange programs, the United States and Spain have attempted to spread awareness of the drug problem and related issues, and to facilitate direct contact between officials of both countries who work all facets of the counter-narcotics effort.

The Road Ahead. The United States looks forward to increased cooperation with Spain in law enforcement and demand reduction efforts, and will encourage Spain's deeper involvement in multilateral counternarcotics fora, such as the Dublin Group. The United States will look to Spain, as a member of the EU's Troika, to help enlist European support for advancing counter-narcotics and counter-crime elements of the New Transatlantic Agenda signed by President Clinton and EU leaders in Madrid in December 1995.

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