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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
BELARUS
I. Summary
Belarus is increasingly vulnerable to the illicit drug trade. Belarus'
location between Russia and the West, its good rail and road transportation,
and a customs union with Russia that eliminated internal borders between the
two countries add to Belarus' potential as a narcotics transit corridor.
Efforts to move to a market economy have dislocated many workers. Increased
organized crime activity and the lack of legislation are likely to fuel
increased drug trafficking and production by those organizations. The
Government of Belarus (GOB) has not made drug control a priority. There has
only been limited progress on enacting a comprehensive antidrug strategy.
However, Belarus is a party to all the international drug conventions,
including the 1988 UN Convention. The GOB lacks both the legislative
framework and the financial resources to combat drug trafficking.
II. Status of Country
Drug trafficking groups are expanding smuggling operations through Belarus.
Traffickers seeking new routes to Russia and Western Europe are now moving
opiates from Southwest Asia through Belarus. Most smuggling operations
involve the shipment of heroin, hashish, and/or opium from Afghanistan and
Pakistan by rail. The most frequent transit route is between Ukraine and St.
Petersburg and Moscow. Law enforcement agencies also noted an increase in the
flow of heroin and cocaine from Russia through Belarus to Western Europe in
1996. In addition, there has been an increase in incidents of drug smuggling
to Poland and Germany as a result of the customs union that eliminated
internal borders between Belarus and Russia.
Drug-related crime is also rising. The Ministry of Internal Affairs estimates
that 2.1 percent of all crimes are drug-related. In addition, there is some
cultivation of opium poppy in Belarus, although the extent is not known.
Health authorities believe that such transit trade is fueling a domestic drug
market. According to the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Interior,
there has been an annual increase in the number of registered drug addicts.
Although the number of registered drug addicts is quite low -- 3,000 in 1996
-- this is a 35 percent increase over 1995. Some officials believe that the
increase in HIV in some cities such as Svetlogorsk is linked to the drug
situation. Most Belarusian addicts use products made of opium poppy, oil
poppy or cannabis. However, they are also using synthetic drugs such as
ecstasy, heroin, cocaine, barbiturates, and other drugs in increasing amounts.
The large chemical industry in Belarus is vulnerable to the illicit drug
industry. The GOB has made no effort to establish a chemical control
monitoring regime and law enforcement officials are not trained to investigate
exports or clandestine amphetamine production. In November, however, the KGB
discovered an amphetamine laboratory and distribution ring at the Vitebsk
medical institute.
GOB officials are unaware of any extensive money laundering operations.
Nevertheless, Belarus does not have anti-money laundering legislation or asset
seizure laws and it permits bank secrecy. In addition, the growing number of
casinos and other legitimate establishments may be used for money laundering.
III. Country Actions Against Drugs in 1996
Policy Initiatives. Although President Lukashenko announced a decree in
December 1994 on fighting crime and drugs, the GOB has not formulated any
long-range antidrug plans.
GOB drug control efforts focus on interdiction. Responsibility for
investigating and discovering narcotics-related crime is divided among the
Ministry of Internal Affairs, KGB, the Customs Committee, Border Guards and
Ministry of Health. The government established an interagency commission to
coordinate antidrug activities in June 1995; it is headed by Prosecutor
General O. Bozhelko. Seizures in 1996 included: 56 kgs of cannabis; 4 grams
heroin; 3 grams cocaine; 305 grams synthetic drugs; 1.8 kgs poppy straw; and
82 kgs of extracted opium. GOB also eradicated approximately 16,000 square
meters of opium poppy; and 775 square meters of cannabis.
Cultivation and Production. Although opium cultivation is outlawed, GOB
officials believe that there is cultivation for domestically produced drugs as
well as for traditional cooking uses. Belarus also has the resources
necessary for the production of synthetic narcotics. Laboratory and technical
capabilities are in place while much of the industrial plants are idle.
Corruption. The USG does not have any reports of high-level official
narcotics-related corruption in Belarus.
Agreements and Treaties. Belarus is a party to the 1988 UN Convention,
the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, and the 1971 UN Convention on
Psychotropic Substances. Belarus signed an agreement in 1993 on drug control
assistance with Italy, and plans to conclude similar agreements with Austria,
Bulgaria, Sweden and Germany. The GOB also has signed interstate treaties on
assistance with Lithuania and China. Belarus is a party to the CIS Convention
on Legal Assistance and has become a member of Interpol.
Demand Reduction. The GOB has not developed a national drug abuse
prevention strategy. Demand reduction programs emphasize treatment and social
rehabilitation of current drug addicts. Treatment for drug addicts is
generally performed in psychiatric hospitals, either through arrest or
self-enrollment.
IV. U.S. Policy Initiatives and Programs
Policy Initiatives. The USG will encourage the GOB to expand its drug
control activities and to establish the necessary legislative and
institutional capabilities. During 1997, the USG will focus its support on
urging Belarus to implement the 1988 UN Convention.
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