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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
LITHUANIA
I. Summary
Lithuania is vulnerable to the illicit drug trade. Difficult economic
circumstances, a rising crime rate, and the country's geographic location are
giving a new impetus to drug trafficking and abuse in Lithuania. While
doctors at the narcotics abuse center in Vilnius report 1,700 addicts, police
officials estimate that the total number of drug users could be as high as
10-15,000. The Government of Lithuania (GOL) has begun to take steps to
target drug smugglers, including arresting drug traffickers and eradicating
opium poppy crops. Nevertheless, effective antidrug efforts by the GOL have
been limited. The GOL is not yet a party to the 1988 UN Convention or the
1972 Protocol, but it is a party to the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic
Drugs and 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. Concerns about enhanced
police powers have sparked debate in the Parliament, and stalled new
antinarcotics legislation.
II. Status of Country
Lithuania has emerged as a conduit for smuggling illicit drugs from Central
Asia to Western Europe. Drug-related crime is also on the rise and Lithuanian
police report that there are more than 144 organized crime groups involved in
the drug trade. These organizations have well-established connections with
drug-producing countries in Central and Southwest Asia, and Turkey. Although
law enforcement officials note that opiates and cannabis are the primary drugs
smuggled through the region, cocaine trafficking also is rising.
Modest quantities of cocaine are smuggled through Lithuania via Germany to
Russia and vice versa. Meanwhile, regulation of Lithuania's private banking
sector is still in nascent stages and money laundering appears to be
widespread.
III. Country Action Against Drugs in 1996
Ther has been slow progress in developing a national counterdrug program. As
noted, the GOL is not yet a party to the 1988 UN Convention. The GOL
established an interagency task force to review and draft appropriate
legislation for accession to the 1988 Convention and the implementation of all
three UN drug conventions. However, there is some concern over provisions in
the 1988 UN Convention which require that police be allowed to conduct
controlled deliveries and investigations of suspected money-laundering
operations.
Lithuania did increase its interdiction and eradication efforts during the
year. Enforcement officials eradicated 81,152 square meters in 1996 of opium
poppy and 1,061 square meters of cannabis. In addition, the Education
Committee of Vilnius' City Council now has a narcotics coordinator.
Corruption. The USG is unaware of any reports of official narcotics-related
corruption in Lithuania and there were no reported cases of high-level
corruption associated with the drug trade in 1996.
Agreements and Treaties. As noted, the GOL is not a party to the 1988 UN
Convention, although in 1994 it became a party to the 1961 Single Convention
and the 1971 UN Convention.
Cultivation and Production. Cultivation of opium poppy is illegal in
Lithuania. However, law enforcement officials find it difficult to enforce
this ban because of the widespread use of poppy for cooking purposes. Law
enforcement officials also believe that poppy is cultivated to produce illicit
poppy straw extract.
Domestic Programs. The GOL has begun to establish a new health program
which includes demand reduction. It will include rehabilitation as well as
public awareness components.
IV. U.S. Policy Initiatives and Programs
Policy Initiatives and Bilateral Cooperation. The USG is promoting
increased attention to the drug problem by Lithuania. In 1996, the USG urged
the GOL to identify drug problems and possible areas for assistance, and to
become party to and implement the 1988 UN drug conventions.
The USG provided training to the Lithuanian police and customs officials as
well as some modest amounts of equipment. Additionally, the USG urged
increased UNDCP support. The UNDCP is providing a national training program
for the police in drug enforcement techniques and endeavoring to equip them
with sophisticated detection and surveillance devices -- including
drug-detecting dogs.
The Road Ahead. Over the next year, the USG will continue to encourage the
GOE to become a party to the 1988 UN Convention and to establish legislative
and institutional antidrug capabilities. The USG plans to provide law
enforcement training for customs and law enforcement officials including
border guards, as well as training to target financial crimes.
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