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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
PORTUGAL
I. Summary
Portugal is not a producer of cocaine or heroin, but it is an important
transit point to the rest of Europe for cocaine from South America. The
country's long coastline and infrequently patrolled waters around the Azorean
islands, and a shortage of law enforcement resources encourage traffickers to
use Portugal as a transshipment point. Portuguese law enforcement entities
attribute the drop in the quantity of drugs seized in the first half of 1996
to their heightened vigilance; they believe this may have deterred some
traffickers or caused them to change their smuggling methods. Portugal is a
party to the 1988 UN Convention.
II. Status of Country
Portugal's significance in the international drug trade stems from its
location as an entry point to the rest of Europe for heroin and cocaine. Open
borders with other Western European countries facilitate the trafficking of
heroin through the Netherlands and Spain, and of cocaine trafficking from
Brazil. Although the size of the local drug user population is unknown,
anecdotal information suggests it has increased in recent years. One
indicator of this trend is the increased incidence of AIDS among intravenous
drug users which has grown five fold over the last five years.
III. Country Actions Against Drugs in 1996
Policy Initiatives. Portuguese counternarcotics authorities demonstrated
greater efforts at coordination. The Government of Portugal (GOP) organized a
national coordination meeting of all relevant law enforcement agencies and
departments; several regional meetings followed.
The National Institute of Advanced Criminal Science of the Judicial Police
(PJ) conducted narcotics-related courses for officials from Angola,
Mozambique, Cape Verde, and Guinea Bissau. The Public Security Police (PSP)
also gave counternarcotics courses to various African officials. In December,
Portugal and Spain signed a joint communique which provided for the creation
of jointly manned police stations along the Portugal-Spain border with a focus
on counternarcotics activities .
Enforcement Efforts. Portuguese authorities maintain close ties with most
European Union narcotics forces, and with USG narcotics enforcement agencies.
Portuguese law enforcement authorities report that for the first half of
1996, the number of heroin arrests increased 44 percent and cocaine arrests
were up 52 percent compared to the first half of 1995. Authorities made two
arrests for ecstasy (MDMA) for the first time, indicating a troubling new
development. GOP authorities' drug caseloads were up 45 percent in the same
period; however, the amount of drugs actually seized declined 38 percent for
heroin (from 40 kgs to 25 kgs) and 66 percent for cocaine (from 1,140 kgs to
389 kgs). Authorities are unsure of the reason for this decline, but
speculate it is due to changes in smuggling methods.
Corruption. Authorities have reported no cases of corruption among
Portuguese officials responsible for counternarcotics matters. Portugal has
appropriate legislation to control public corruption and punish offenders.
Agreements and Treaties. As a signatory to the 1988 UN Convention, the
GOP supports its goals and objectives. Portugal has an extradition treaty
with the US dating from 1908. The USG authorized the extradition of a US
citizen to Portugal to stand trial for drug trafficking. Portugal has not
extradited its citizens to the US for similar offenses because under the
Portuguese constitution, Portuguese nationals cannot be extradited to another
country for any offense. Under recent Portugese case law, it is becoming
almost impossible to get the extradition to the US of narcotics traffickers,
even when they are not citizens of Portugal.
Drug Flow/Transit. Drug traffickers take advantage of Portugal's
extensive, minimally patrolled coastline, open borders, and lack of police and
intelligence resources. Most of the heroin seized in 1996 was found in light
vehicles and in airplanes. Heroin transits Portugal from the Orient via
Eastern Europe and the Baltics. Authorities seized cocaine from South
America, particularly from Brazil and Argentina, from aircraft, vessels and
light vehicles which transit Portugal. There is no known production of opium
poppy in Portugal, nor is there any production of cocaine or heroin products.
Portugal closely monitors the import of chemicals that could be diverted to
produce illicit drugs.
Demand Reduction. The GOP's National Drug Policy Council coordinates
Portugal's demand reduction and treatment programs. Demand reduction has
consisted mainly of a few government-run treatment centers and a small
educational program. Many new private centers have opened in recent years,
but it is unclear if they are meeting Portuguese addicts' treatment needs.
IV. Policy Initiatives and Programs
Bilateral Cooperation. Cooperation among US and Portuguese law
enforcement entities is excellent, with frequent visits to Portugal by DEA
officials for drug-related investigations. On two occasions in 1996,
Portuguese officials traveled to the US to testify and assist in joint
US-Portuguese counternarcotics investigations.
The Road Ahead. The GOP has indicated that it will increase its
counternarcotics efforts. The 1997 state budget provides for several million
dollars to procure fast coastal patrol boats to deter drug smuggling along
Portugal's coast. The USG will assist Portuguese authorities with
investigations, and will provide opportunities for coordination with GOP law
enforcement officials.
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