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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
SLOVAK REPUBLIC
I. Summary
Illicit drug trafficking organizations targeted Slovakia as a conduit for
illicit drug smuggling in 1996. The Slovak Republic is a transshipment point
on the Balkan heroin trafficking route which includes those countries between
Turkey and Western Europe. As a result of the increased smuggling, domestic
drug use escalated. Police also believe that a seizure of cocaine revealed a
new effort by South American cocaine traffickers to target the Slovak Republic
as a conduit for cocaine smuggling to Western Europe. As a successor state to
the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic, the Slovak Republic is a party to the
1988 UN Convention. However, the Government of the Slovak Republic (GOSR)
made only limited progress to implement it.
II. Status of Country
Drug interests target the Slovak Republic as a key conduit for smuggling
Southwest Asian heroin to Western Europe. The Slovak Republic's geographic
position and loose border controls leave it open to the Turkish heroin
networks and other trafficking groups that have operations in the region.
Komarno and Medvedov along the Slovak-Hungarian border are key entry points
into Slovakia. According to the Central Drugs Service report and Western law
enforcement authorities, traffickers smuggle opiates to Slovakia from Central
Asia via Ukraine and Russia.
Drug use within Slovakia is also of concern to the GOSR. Drug use is
increasing in Bratislava, as well as less densely populated areas. Drug use
also has appeared at the country's numerous spas (Piestany, Trencianske
Teplice, Bardejov) and tourist centers (mainly the high Tatra Mountains). The
GOSR reported that overdose deaths numbered 23 persons. Press reports
regularly noted arrests for drug use and small seizures of drugs including
marijuana, cocaine and heroin. Of special concern to Slovak authorities is
the increasing use of heroin in Slovakia by young people in economically
disadvantaged parts of the country. In particular, Petrzalka, a section of
the capital city, Bratislava, on the south bank of the Danube, has become
known for its unruly criminal elements and increasing amount of drug-related
violent crime.
Slovak criminal and financial police indicate that money laundering is
increasing. The Slovak banking sector developed over the last year, but both
the private sector and law enforcement authorities are ill-equipped to
effectively combat money laundering.
Slovak authorities are concerned about the country's chemical and
pharmaceutical industry. At present, legal narcotics controls, including
licensing and import/export controls, are handled through a single official in
the Slovak Ministry of Health. As a consequence of the government's
privatization campaign, GOSR authorities are concerned that outside interests
(and Slovak citizens) may exploit private companies for illegal uses,
including the production of drugs and money laundering.
III. Country Actions Against Drugs in 1996
The GOSR reported no major changes to antidrug or enforcement legislation
during the year and there were only minimal national efforts to implement the
1988 UN Convention. Nevertheless, the GOSR is developing legislation to
control chemicals and their precursors used in the production of illicit drug
manufacture. There was no progress, however, in developing asset seizure
legislation.
Despite severe resource restrictions, the Slovakian police continued their
antidrug operations. There were 670 drug-related arrests and more than 10 kgs
of heroin and 20 kgs of cannabis seized. Drug control operations may be
temporarily hampered by the introduction of Slovakia's new territorial
division scheme which is expected to create some confusion among regional and
central police authorities with regard to drug-related crime.
Cultivation and Production. In recent years, GOSR authorities reported
extensive illicit amphetamine production. In 1996, they reported that
domestic drug production, mainly of cannabis, and to a lesser extent
amphetamines, is increasing. There were no indications of opium poppy
cultivation.
Corruption. In March 1995, the Slovak Interior Minister announced an
anti-corruption "clean hands" program which included plans to combat
corruption by amending the criminal code, and establishing a special police
unit. Although there are widespread rumors of corruption, the USG is not
aware of any narcotics-related corruption cases.
Agreements and Treaties. As one of the successor states to the Czech and
Slovak Federal Republic, the Slovak Republic is bound to honor all obligations
and treaty commitments of the former Czech and Slovak Federal Republic, and is
a party to the 1988 UN Convention, the 1961 UN Single Convention on Narcotic
Drugs, the 1972 Protocol thereto, and the 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic
Substances. The bilateral extradition treaty between Czechoslovakia and the
US continued in force in the Slovak Republic as a successor state.
Demand reduction was incorporated as one of the primary aspects of the
national drug control policy adopted by the Slovak Government in 1994. As a
result, during 1995 and 1996, several demand reduction programs were
initiated, including one directed at educating teachers and school
administrators. These programs are carried out by both the Ministry of
Education and the Ministry of Health, as well as by several non-governmental
organizations (NGO's).
IV. US Policy Initiatives and Programs
Policy Initiatives and Bilateral Cooperation. The USG promotes
increased GOSR attention to the drug problem, implementing the three UN drug
conventions, establishing the necessary institutional capabilities. The USG
is encouraging the GOSR to maintain its tough stance on drug enforcement and
to expand its enforcement and prevention capabilities through modernization of
responsible agencies and, where possible, funding education programs for
high-risk groups.
INL has funds and training expertise from a variety of USG agencies to assist
the GOSR in its antidrug initiatives, including but not limited to support
from the US Customs Service, DEA, and the FBI, as well as commodities
assistance. The USG expects to provide limited additional assistance to the
GOSR in the form of training opportunities in 1997. The USG and UNDCP are
co-funding the GOSR's participation in a regional demand reduction program in
Sicily. The USG also plans to continue providing prevention education
training.
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