|
|
|
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
GERMANY
I. Summary
Germany is a major transit area to other European countries, and a consumer
country, but it is a minor producer of narcotics. Most of the seized heroin
arrives primarily in cars via Balkan land routes from Turkey, and most of the
seized amphetamines come from the Netherlands. Consumption of heroin and
cocaine is basically unchanged, but consumption of ecstasy and LSD is rising.
German authorities have noted a sharp increase in cross-border cash
movements, an activity which is not subject to reporting requirements and
which represents a serious loophole in the eyes of local law enforcement.
Germany is a party to the 1988 UN Convention.
II. Status of Country
According to the German government's narcotics situation report for the period
from 1 January to 30 September 1996, the seizures of raw opium increased
markedly but the number of new users has remained basically unchanged.
Seizures and consumption of amphetamines and designer drugs have almost
doubled compared with the same period in 1995.
By the end of September, there were 1,182 drug deaths recorded in Germany, a
12.5 percent increase over the same period in 1995. Heroin abuse and multiple
addiction are the main causes of drug deaths.
III. Country Actions Against Drugs in 1996
Policy Initiatives. The 1990 National Narcotics Prevention Plan, the
product of a consensus between the federal and state governments, remains the
basis for Germany's antinarcotics activities. However, several state
governments made proposals in 1996 to make cannabis available in pharmacies
and to offer controlled distribution of heroin at specific centers. The
proposals were not implemented.
Accomplishments. Seizures of synthetic drugs, especially ecstasy,
increased. Germany is working to improve the control of precursor drugs,
particularly those used for synthetic drugs.
Enforcement Efforts. US officials judge German law enforcement to be
effective at both federal and state levels. There is excellent cooperation
with US officials. Despite severe budget pressures, the police receive
adequate resources.
Corruption. Drug-related corruption is not a problem in Germany.
Agreements and Treaties. Germany ratified the 1988 UN Convention in 1993.
The US and Germany do not have a legal assistance treaty, but negotiations on
a mutual legal assistance treaty resumed and will continue in 1997. Germany
signed a bilateral agreement with the Netherlands to facilitate police
cooperation. Germany also signed training and technical assistance agreements
with Poland, the Czech Republic, and Albania to enhance police cooperation.
Cultivation/Production. There is no reported illicit cultivation of opium
or coca in Germany. There is a small, tightly controlled, licensed growth of
opium poppies in Bavaria to produce poppy seeds for bakeries. There is a
growing trend toward illegal cannabis cultivation. German authorities
discovered a large facility for the illegal cultivation of cannabis consisting
of three greenhouses containing approximately 8,000 plants. The cannabis was
being cultivated for transport to the Netherlands. Between January and
September, German authorities discovered 10 illegal laboratories; four
produced amphetamines; two produced ecstasy; and one each produced crack, eve
(MDE), cocaine, and another substance that has not yet been identified.
Drug Flow/Transit. The Balkan route is the most important supply route for
transporting large quantities of heroin through Germany. Most of the heroin
seized in Germany arrived via Turkey on its way to other destinations.
Turkish nationals play by far the most important role in heroin trafficking,
but during 1996, individuals from Eastern Europe became more prominent. West
African international traffickers increasingly are using white couriers.
Cocaine transits Germany from Colombia via Germany's principal airports.
Authorities seize most synthetic drugs and cannabis at the border with the
Netherlands. Authorities made the largest single seizure of marijuana,
however, at Frankfurt airport on a flight that originated in Bangkok. Germany
has been a source of anabolic steroids mailed to the US.
Domestic Programs. Germany's prevention program focuses on education on
the dangers of drug abuse; it targets kindergartens, elementary schools, and
parent initiatives. The government promotes self-help programs for
rehabilitating drug users and funds pilot programs in these areas for three
years; thereafter state governments assume funding.
IV. US Policy Initiatives and Programs
US and German law enforcement agencies cooperate closely and extensively. DEA
is a member of the "permanent German narcotics working group (STAR)" and
participates in other regional narcotics working groups designed to exchange
information to develop operational strategy and policy. During the year, the
Internal Revenue Service presented money laundering and exchange of
information seminars to law enforcement, customs, and tax officials of the
former East Germany. The IRS conducted seminars in Erfurt, Dresden, and
Magdeburg to improve money laundering investigations in the new German states.
In August, the IRS established a position for an IRS special agent at the US
Consulate in Frankfurt charged with implementing joint efforts with the German
authorities on money laundering and criminal tax investigations. DEA and US
Customs provide assistance to a German-government sponsored institute studying
specific issues of money laundering enforcement in Germany. US Customs now
routinely presents a training segment at every German Customs financial
training course, as well at several German state police schools.
The Road Ahead. The USG will work closely with the German authorities at
the federal and state level. Part of this effort consists of consulting with
the German government in the context of the Dublin Group, and other
international counternarcotics fora.
|
