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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
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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