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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
ROMANIA
I. Summary
Illicit drug traffickers use Romania as a transshipment point for smuggling
heroin and cannabis products to Western Europe. In 1996, arrests and seizures
of narcotics and illegal drugs increased from 1995; Romanian authorities
believe that the country increasingly is used as a storage location for drugs
destined for sale in Western Europe. Traffickers from Southwest Asian transit
Romania when smuggling heroin and cannabis to markets in Western Europe.
Romania's police and security agencies are beginning to step up their
interdiction efforts, but drug control is a low priority for the Government of
Romania (GOR). Romania is a party to the 1988 UN Convention, as well as the
1961 and 1971 conventions and the 1972 Protocol.
II. Status of Country
Romania's location, corruption within the police and security services,
liberal visa policies, and traditional ties to Middle Eastern countries make
it vulnerable to drug smuggling. Drug traffickers unable to smuggle shipments
easily through the war zone of former Yugoslavia have turned to routes through
Romania.
GOR officials have expressed concern that Romania could become a money
laundering country. Romania is poor; the economy is still in transition. As
a result, there is a great need for investment in most sectors, creating the
possibility that crime-generated money could be laundered, without many
questions asked. Money laundering through the banking sector is less likely
because the banking system in Romania is modest in scale and sophistication.
III. Country Actions Against Drugs in 1996
Policy Initiatives. Romania reported no new policy initiatives during the
year; drug control is a low priority for the GOR. There has been no
significant effort as yet to deal with corruption in Romania. However, the
recent election signaled widespread popular dissatisfaction with the level of
corruption and was a factor in bringing a new coalition to power. The newly
elected president is currently organizing a commission to examine how best to
deal with the problem. The commission will not be seated until early 1997.
Romania still has not enacted legislation authorizing government monitoring of
precursor chemicals, despite more than a year of consideration. This hampers
police enforcement efforts. A money laundering bill presently before
Parliament, addresses the issue of "illegal money" and establishes a special
office to monitor banking activities.
Final arrest statistics will represent a very significant overall increase in
the number of arrests and seizures compared to 1995. As of mid-year, Romanian
enforcement officials had made 55 arrests of individuals for possession or
attempts to sell or transport illegal drugs. This figure compares with a
total of 25 arrests for all of 1995.
Corruption. Romania has yet to take effective action against official
corruption which is considered to be a serious problem; however, the USG is
not aware of any reports of official narcotics-related corruption in 1996.
Agreements and Treaties. Romania is a party to the 1961 UN Single
Convention on Narcotic Drugs, as amended by the 1972 Protocol, and the 1971
UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances. Romania has ratified the 1988 UN
Convention, but has not fully implemented the necessary enforcement statutes.
The present extradition treaty between the US and Romania dates from 1930, but
is still recognized and applicable. Romanian authorities cooperate with the
USG and other Western countries on narcotics-related extraditions, and with
other legal and consular matters involving the arrest of US citizens involved
in narcotics trafficking.
Cultivation/Production. Cultivation is limited to licit opium poppy for
Romania's pharmaceutical needs. Local drug use is rare, but opium poppy and
cannabis are grown in small quantities for culinary and household use. There
have been no reports of illicit drug processing inside Romania.
Domestic Programs/Demand Reduction. There are no reliable estimates of
addiction levels, nor are there are treatment/demand reduction programs or
facilities in either the public or private sector. However, health officials
believe that local drug use is low, but rising. Per capita income is low and
most Romanians cannot afford to purchase illicit drugs. There is now a public
education, antidrug policy under the supervision of the Ministry of Health
with the active participation of the police. Known by its Romanian acronym as
"ARLID" (The Romanian Fight Against Drugs), it has a modest budget, but has
produced literature (magazines, posters, etc.) warning youth of the dangers of
drug abuse.
IV. US Policy Initiatives
Policy Initiatives and Bilateral Cooperation. The USG promotes
increased GOR attention to the drug problem and will encourage antidrug
cooperation with those nations, primarily in Western Europe, most directly
affected by heroin smuggling through Romania. The US is also encouraging
support from the UNDCP to assist Romania's customs and police with detection
equipment and training.
The USG will encourage the GOR to expand its drug control activities and to
establish the necessary legislative and institutional capabilities needed to
meet its commitments under the 1988 UN Convention. In addition, the US will
urge the GOR to give more attention to creating a cadre of professional law
enforcement officials to target drug problems, and will continue to provide
limited law enforcement and demand reduction training and equipment to assist
Romania's anti-drug efforts.
The Road Ahead. Much remains to be done in encouraging Romania to fulfill
the goals and objectives of the UN conventions to which it is now a party.
The US will urge Romania to expedite consideration and passage of key
narcotics laws on such issues as precursor chemicals. The US will assist
Romania in developing a strong drug control program.
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