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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL STRATEGY REPORT, MARCH 1996: UNITED KINGDOM
United States Department of State
Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
I. Summary
The United Kingdom (UK) is a consumer country for illicit drugs. It
also produces and exports many precursor and essential chemicals. The
UK strictly enforces national chemical legislation in compliance with EU
regulations. British financial institutions have been vulnerable to
money laundering, including that of narcotics proceeds converted in the
UK and transited through the country. The Channel Islands and the Isle
of Man also have offshore banking facilities that attract drug funds.
Implementation of tougher money laundering legislation seems to have
reduced vulnerability throughout the crown territories.
II. Status of Country
Marijuana is the most popular illicit drug in the UK. With an estimated
100,000 heroin addicts, British officials are most preoccupied with
stemming the abuse of heroin and other injected drugs. While crack
cocaine and cocaine use have increased, the anticipated cocaine epidemic
has not occurred, probably due to the prohibitive price of cocaine.
British authorities remain concerned about the use of amphetamines,
which have been termed "the poor man's cocaine," and ecstasy (MDMA)
whose abuse was highlighted in 1995 by the deaths of several young
people who ingested the drug in clubs. Authorities have improved
controls on clubs in an effort to reduce health hazards posed by
ecstasy.
British drug policy attacks all narcotics fronts including demand
reduction, treatment, and law enforcement. Locally-based programs
provide the backbone for domestic drug policy.
III. Country Actions Against Drugs in 1995
Policy Initiatives. In May 1995, the British government introduced the
"Tackling Drugs Together" initiative. This three-year program involves
a three-pronged approach: increasing community safety from drug-related
crime, helping young people resist drugs, and reducing the health risks
of drug abuse. Local drug action teams comprising police, probation,
health, education, prison and local authorities implement the strategy.
The UK vigorously contributes to international drug control efforts.
British bilateral aid and assistance focused in 1995 on Latin America
(Colombia), Central and Eastern Europe, and Southwest Asia. At the end
of the year the UK helped forge a major Franco-British plan aimed at
increasing EU counter-narcotics assistance to the Eastern Caribbean.
Accomplishments. In 1995, another criminal law was proposed by the
Government calling for tougher sentences for repeat drug traffickers.
Agreements and Treaties. The UK is a party to the 1988 UN Convention
Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances,
and complies fully with the Convention's provisions. The UK was the
first EU member to ratify the Council of Europe's Directive on Money
Laundering. The British actively participate and provide critical
leadership in a number of international drug control fora including the
Council of Europe's Pompidou Group, the Dublin Group, EUROPOL's Drug
Unit and other EU fora, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), and the
United Nations International Drug Control Program (UNDCP).
The UK channels about half of its counter-narcotics funding through the
UNDCP. According to UNDCP, the UK pledged approximately $7.8 million in
FY95 contributions. The UK chairs the Southwest Asia Region in the
Dublin Group and is a vocal counter-narcotics advocate in the many miniDublin
Groups throughout the world.
Corruption. The UK is mostly free of public corruption. When
identified, corrupt officials are vigorously prosecuted.
Drug Flow/Transit. Heroin shipments to the UK generally originate in
Afghanistan and Pakistan and are routed through Turkey, Central and
Eastern Europe, and the Balkans. Marijuana comes mostly from Morocco.
Large cocaine shipments arrive directly from South America; smaller
shipments (under 50 kilos) come via Amsterdam. Supplies of amphetamines
and ecstasy can be traced to underground laboratories in the UK and
certain other European countries, particularly the Netherlands (also
LSD) and Poland.
Law Enforcement Efforts. British law enforcement officials, as well as
customs and excise officials, are vigilant and effective. In 1994 the
UK seized nearly 67,000 kilograms of controlled substances (of which
ninety four percent was cannabis) and convicted, cautioned or fined
86,972 drug offenders. Statistics for 1995 are not available.
IV. US Policy Initiatives and Programs
Bilateral Cooperation. Since 1989 the US and UK governments have
conducted periodic consultations at the Assistant Secretary level to
coordinate and harmonize policies, plans and programs on all counternarcotics
fronts. Law enforcement cooperation between the two countries
is excellent and growing. In accordance with existing bilateral
agreements, the UK cooperates to the fullest extent with efforts by the
United States or other countries to trace or seize ill-gotten assets.
British laws permit the sharing of forfeited assets with the United
States Government. Asset sharing with others is on an ad hoc basis.
The Road Ahead. The United States looks forward to continued close
cooperation with the United Kingdom on all counter-narcotics fronts.
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