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U.S. Department of State
1996 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, March 1997
United States Department of State
Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
FRANCE
I. Summary
France is an important transit country, particularly for narcotics originating
in the Middle East and Southwest Asia. Heroin continued to be of primary
concern to French law enforcement officials. French officials are concerned
about French citizens' use of cocaine and its trafficking in, and transit
through France.
The Government of France (GOF) enhanced its drug control measures in 1996 by
enacting new money laundering, asset seizure, and banking reporting laws.
France is a party to the 1988 UN Convention.
II. Status of Country
French Government narcotics data for 1995, released in the Spring of 1996,
show that heroin consumption and transit are the principal narcotics problems
in France (narcotics data for 1996 will be released in the Spring of 1997).
The number of heroin addicts in France reached 170,000 in 1995. The number of
arrests for heroin use/resale (17,356) and for heroin trafficking (3,329) were
significantly greater than for any other drug. French authorities believe
seizures of 854 kgs of cocaine and cocaine-related arrests of 449 persons
indicate a significant demand for cocaine in France. Cannabis is the most
widely abused drug in France, with an estimated 4 million users.
III. Country Action Against Drugs in 1996
Policy Initiatives. The Government of France (GOF) enacted new asset
seizure legislation which lessens the burden of proof for asset seizure
proceedings in certain circumstances involving drug traffickers. France
extended the crime of money laundering beyond narcotics trafficking offenses
to include money laundering connected with "all crimes and offenses," and
tightened controls on foreign exchange bureaus. Together, these initiatives
provide France with some of the toughest laws in Western Europe for reducing
criminal profits from narcotics trafficking.
Agreements and Treaties. France is a party to the 1988 UN Convention. It
is a party to the 1961 UN Single Convention and its 1972 Protocol, as well as
the 1971 UN Convention on Psycotropic Substances. The USG and the GOF have
narcotics-related agreements, including a 1971 agreement on Coordinating
Action Against Illicit Trafficking. The US and France signed in 1996 a new
and strengthened extradition treaty -- the first since 1909. Though French
law does not permit the extradition of French citizens, the GOF has formally
arranged with the USG and other countries to prosecute its nationals
domestically for extraditable crimes committed elsewhere.
French officials participate in international drug control fora, including
UNDCP, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), and the Dublin Group. France
pledged $1.5 million to the UNDCP during they year. The Foreign Ministry's
Office of Security Affairs, which monitors terrorism, organized crime,
narcotics and money laundering, participated actively in international drug
control efforts during the year.
Law Enforcement. French counternarcotics authorities are efficient and
effective. Approximately 68% of the heroin seized in France was destined for
domestic users in 1995. Heroin seizures in that year declined by 24% (to 498
kgs) and by 81% for cocaine (to 854 kgs). French authorities attribute the
decline to the record-breaking nature of 1994 statistics which were inflated
by large seizures in the French Antilles rather than to a weakening of GOF
counternarcotics efforts in Metropolitan France.
Corruption. Narcotics-related corruption among French public officials is
not a problem. The USG is not aware of any involvement by senior officials in
the production or distribution of drugs, or in the laundering of drug
proceeds.
Drug Flow/Transit. France is an important transshipment point for illicit
drugs, especially heroin to other European countries. Heroin is shipped from
the Netherlands, Pakistan and Turkey into the French domestic market, and then
transshipped primarily to other European markets or, in some instances, North
America; however, we have no evidence that drugs transiting France have a
significant effect on the US. France also is a significant transit route for
Moroccan and Southwest Asian hashish destined for European markets and for
South American cocaine destined for Central and Eastern Europe.
Cultivation/Production. French authorities believe the manufacture and
cultivation of illicit drugs is not a problem in France.
France produces amphetamines and reports its production to the International
Narcotics Control Board (INCB). France is cooperating with the DEA) to
monitor and control these products.
Demand Reduction. France's drug control agency, the Mission
Interministerielle de Lutte Contre la Drogue et la Toxicomanie (MILDT), is
responsible for coordinating demand reduction programs. Drug education
efforts target government officials, counselors, teachers, and medical
personnel. The GOF is expanding its experimental methadone treatment program.
France is a strong advocate in Europe opposing drug decriminalization.
IV. US Policy Initiatives and Programs
Bilateral Cooperation. USG and GOF counternarcotics law enforcement
cooperation is excellent. The French police participate in USG-sponsored
money laundering courses and in specialized narcotics training courses.
The Road Ahead. The US will continue its cooperation with France on all
counternarcotics fronts, including in multilateral fora such as the Dublin
Group and UNDCP. The USG looks forward to concluding a bilateral maritime
agreement for the Caribbean with France in 1997 and will urge conclusion of a
bilateral agreement on sharing seized and forfeited assets.
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