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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
LUXEMBOURG
I. Summary
Luxembourg is an important international banking and financial center with
approximately 230 international banks and investment houses represented in the
country. The Government of Luxembourg (GOL) works aggressively to deter money
laundering by drug traffickers. Illicit drug production and trafficking do
not pose significant problems for Luxembourg, but small amounts of drugs
transit the country. The GOL authorities believe there are few drug users in
Luxembourg, but they are concerned about drug abuse among the youth.
Luxembourg is a party to the 1988 UN Convention.
The diversion of precursor and essential chemicals to illicit drug
manufacturers is not a significant problem in Luxembourg. In 1995, Parliament
enacted a comprehensive chemical control law, bringing Luxembourg into
compliance with the EU's directive on chemical control.
II. Status of Country
The GOL does not compile statistics on drug abuse. However, authorities
believe that Luxembourg had approximately 1,100 hard drug users and at least
10,000 cannabis users at the end of 1996. The GOL prosecuted several minor
drug trafficking and numerous drug possession cases during 1996. The number
of persons implicated or arrested for drug offenses totaled 778 in 1996.
III. Country Actions Against Drugs in 1996
Policy Initiatives. The GOL maintained its institutionalized methadone
program which was started in 1989. The program treated approximately 100
addicts during they year. Luxembourg also participated in the "mentor"
assistance program, the drug treatment program for street children and
projects in Nicaragua and Colombia.
Accomplishments. The GOL worked to strengthen its money laundering laws by
broadening the penal code's definition of illegal money laundering to include
laundering of proceeds derived from any criminal activity, rather than just
narcotics-related activity. In doing so, the GOL organized the efforts of the
local and international banking community located in Luxembourg to assist in
that effort. Most recently, this effort included bank and governmental
officials discussing the establishment of "indicators" for bank accounts which
may become suspect after an account is established. Prior to this time,
efforts were solely related to investigations of persons attempting to open
new accounts. Enactment of a change in the law incorporating "other criminal
activities" is a priority item for 1997.
Law Enforcement. Authorities made 728 drug seizures and arrested 778
persons during the year. The seizures in these cases netted 2.9 kgs of
heroin, 12.8 kgs of cocaine, 20.8 kgs of cannabis, approximately 122 doses of
LSD, and numerous capsules of various amphetamines and/or depressants.
Corruption. The USG is not aware of any cases of narcotics-related
corruption among Luxembourg's public officials.
Agreements and Treaties. Luxembourg is a party to the 1988 UN Convention
and complies with the Convention's requirements. Luxembourg is also a party
to the 1961 Single Convention, its 1972 Protocol, and the 1971 Convention on
Psychotropic Substances. In December 1995, Luxembourg and the US signed an
asset sharing agreement, under which $1 million of seized proceeds from the
"Santa Cruz Londono" prosecutions in the US were deposited in the Luxembourg's
counternarcotics assistance fund (Fonds de Lutte); these assets were shared in
1996. Luxembourg and the USG also signed a major assets sharing agreement
involving approximately $45 million in seized assets in Luxembourg related to
the "Gonzalo Rodriguez Gacha" case; these funds are expected to be distributed
in 1997. The two governments also signed a Customs Mutual Assistance
Agreement and an extradition treaty in 1996. Luxembourg participates in
several international counternarcotics fora, including the Dublin Group and
the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
Cultivation/Production. The USG is unaware of any reported production of
illicit drugs in Luxembourg.
Drug Flow/Transit. In addition to small quantities of illicit drugs
smuggled into Luxembourg from neighboring countries, authorities are concerned
about the transit of drugs through Luxembourg's Findel International Airport
arriving from Asia and South America.
Demand Reduction/Domestic Programs. Luxembourg targets youth in its
demand reduction efforts. The Ministries of Education, Public Health, and
Justice administer antidrug educational programs. Luxembourg's Center for the
Prevention of Drug Abuse completed its second full year of operation in 1996.
Its objective is to support primary prevention efforts by private
organizations.
IV. US Policy Initiatives and Programs
The USG and the GOL cooperate closely in counternarcotics and judicial
matters, particularly in money laundering cases.
The Road Ahead. The US looks forward to continued close law enforcement
and diplomatic cooperation in counternarcotics initiatives with Luxembourg.
The USG will encourage Luxembourg's active participation in multilateral
counternarcotics fora such as the Dublin Group and the FATF.
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