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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL STRATEGY REPORT, MARCH 1996: NORWAY
United States Department of State
Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
I. Summary
Narcotics production is rare, but police believe Norway is increasingly
becoming a transit country for drugs from Central Europe destined for
other Nordic and Western European markets. In 1995, Norway experienced
a large increase in drug seizures, while narcotics prices decreased
significantly. Drug use is increasing, primarily among teens.
Norway is not an important financial center, and money laundering is
illegal. Enforcement by Norwegian Customs officials meets the
requirements of the chemical control provisions of the 1988 UN
Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic
Substances.
II. Status of Country
According to police statistics, seizures of heroin, amphetamines,
cocaine, ecstasy, and cannabis increased dramatically (both in number
and size). There were more than 9,000 seizures in 1995, compared with
approximately 6,000 in 1994. In 1995, Norwegian police and customs
officials seized their largest quantities of drugs to date: 49 kilos of
heroin; 53 kilos of amphetamines; 3.8 kilos of cocaine; 19,939 kilos of
cannabis; and 11,799 ecstasy tablets. During 1995, arrests increased,
the price of heroin went down, demand for drugs increased, drug-related
deaths rose, and couriers took bigger risks. National reports from
schools showed an alarming rise of drug abuse among students. The
greatest increase in drug abuse occurred among teens (ages 16-20), where
there is growing acceptance of drug use. The rising popularity of
designer drugs such as ecstasy, hashish, amphetamines, LSD, and cocaine
concern Norwegian officials. Though the media seems to blame increasing
drug flows on immigrant traffickers, the Oslo police believe that
statistics do not completely support this view.
III. Country Actions Against Drugs in 1995
Policy Initiatives. The Government of Norway (GON) gives a high
priority to the fight against illegal drugs. Opposition parties in
Parliament recently won their fight to add another NOK 1O million (USD
1.5 million) specifically for narcotics control. This will strengthen
existing drug control programs in the Customs and Excise Department, the
Justice and Police Department, and the Health and Social Affairs
Department. The National Bureau for Crime Investigation was recently
mandated to collect nationwide criminal intelligence related to illicit
drugs.
Agreements and Treaties. Norway is a party to the 1988 UN Convention
Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances,
and complies fully with its objectives. Norway is also a party to the
1961 Single Convention, as amended in 1972, and the 1971 Convention on
Psychotropic Substances. Norway has bilateral Customs Agreements with
the United States, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Germany, the
Netherlands, Spain, and Russia. Norway also has a Customs Agreement
with the EU and posts customs liaison officers in London, Madrid,
Islamabad, and Karachi. Norway is a member of the Dublin Group; the
"Pompidou Group', which it has chaired since 1991; INTERPOL; the Nordic
Police and Customs Initiative (PTN); and the Nordic Coordinating Council
on Drug Abuse. According to the UN Drug Control Program (UNDCP), Norway
pledged approximately $1.36 million in FY95 contributions to the UNDCP.
Norway is also part of the joint effort, with Sweden, Finland and
Denmark, to train Baltic police officers in narcotics work.
Law Enforcement Efforts. The Chief of Police for Narcotics recently
stated that about 70% of the 220 persons held in custody for serious
narcotics crimes are foreigners directly linked to organized crime
rings. He further indicated that persons from Central Europe
(especially the Former Yugoslavia) are increasingly dominating the
narcotics market, especially heroin. He also said Chinese triads are
established in Norway.
Corruption. Official corruption is rare, and punishable under Norwegian
law.
Cultivation/Production. The United States Government (USG) is unaware
of any cultivation of illicit drugs in Norway.
Drug flow/Transit. Though narcotics are rarely produced in Norway,
authorities have witnessed an increase in drugs transiting Norway via
the Balkan route. The route has changed as a result of the conflict in
the Former Yugoslavia. Instead of using the Near East route via GreeceYugoslavia
-Germany-Scandinavia, traffickers bring drugs into Scandinavia
by air and water from the Near East via Turkey, the Czech Republic,
Slovakia, Poland and Germany. Authorities note the drug business is
becoming more dangerous to all concerned. Increasingly, recipients in
Oslo pick up narcotics, kill the courier, and dump the body in a remote
place outside of town. Drug-related violence often threatens police and
their families.
Demand Reduction. Although the narcotics division of the Norwegian
Police regularly seeks more funds and "weapons" such as broader use of
wiretaps, the GON uses most of its resources on treatment instead of
prevention or enforcement efforts to control the distribution of illicit
drugs. Some observers are concerned that Norway may be swayed by policy
decisions in West European countries to legalize possession and use of
light drugs. Under its drug control program, the GON distributes clean
needles to users, but this does not appear to be a weakening of the
government's policy of banning the use of illegal drugs. Norway's
policy concerning education on narcotics for police, parents, and
children needs major improvement if it is to be effective.
IV. US Policy Initiatives and Programs
Bilateral Cooperation. Norwegian counter-narcotics authorities
cooperate regularly with their US counterparts. In 1995, the United
States had no counter-narcotics programs in Norway.
The Road Ahead. The USG seeks to build on already good counternarcotics
law enforcement cooperation with the GON and to increase
cooperation between the two governments in international narcotics fora.
The USG will encourage Norway to continue its support of drug control
projects in the Baltic countries.
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