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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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