U.S. Department of State
1997 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, March 1998
United States Department of State
Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
Europe and Central Asia
ESTONIA
I. Summary
Estonia's geographic position, the continued increase of drug-related
crimes, and a small but growing population of drug abusers have raised
concerns prompting the adoption of relevant legislation. The Law on
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances went into effect in
1997. Estonia is a party to the 1961 UN Single Convention, its 1972
Protocol and the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. However,
recent developments raise concern that Estonia may be unprepared to rein in
its expanding illegal drug market and trafficking. Drug shipment seizures
in neighboring countries suspected of transiting Estonia and news about
growing use of drugs by teens at popular nightspots suggest that drug abuse
and trafficking are more serious than previously believed. To date,
effective anti-drug efforts by the government have been limited.
II. Status of Country
Estonia is geographically well-positioned to serve as a conduit for
smuggling illicit drugs from central Europe and Russia to western
Europe. In addition to the frequent ferries linking Estonia to Finland and
Sweden, small boats and yachts sailing in the Baltic Sea have been used for
drug trafficking. Police assert that Estonian dealers may have direct
contacts with Colombian and Venezuelan sources of cocaine. In 1997, Sweden
investigated cases where seized drug shipments from Latin America transited
Estonia. According to police, opium is trafficked from Russia and
Lithuania, marijuana from Russia, hashish from Morocco via Spain and
Russia, while amphetamine and Ecstasy tablets transit The Netherlands,
Germany and Denmark. There are also cases where Estonians have organized
illegal drugs shipments which never enter Estonia, but are shipped directly
from Germany to Finland. Domestic demand for drugs also appears to be
growing.
Police believe that organized crime groups in Estonia are involved in
the drug business. These groups have become more involved in the drug trade
after law enforcement clamped down on illegal metal and wood trade.
While climatic factors preclude Estonia from becoming an important
source for narcotic crops, small amounts of opium poppies and cannabis have
reportedly been cultivated in Estonia.
Estonia's Law on Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances went into effect
on November 1, 1997. Besides regulating these substances, it also deals
with drug abusers' treatment and rehabilitation. The law sets a legal basis
for controlling and trafficking previously unmonitored precursor chemicals
and trafficking. Estonian authorities express concern about financial
crimes, especially money laundering, as Estonia's role as a regional
financial center grows. A money laundering bill has been prepared with
support of the EU Phare program. (The EU Phare Multi-Country programme for
the Fight Against Drugs seeks to strengthen the anti-drug capacities of 11
Central and Eastern European states and to assist those states in preparing
for a role in EU's anti-drug strategy plan.) The draft legislation conforms
to current EU requirements and is expected to be submitted to parliament
early in 1998. In Estonia, though, narcotics revenues are viewed as a far
less important source for laundering than money derived from tax evasion
and smuggling.
Although the number of drug abusers and narcotics crimes is increasing,
by international standards Estonia's domestic situation does not pose a
serious problem. The estimated number of drug abusers is 2,000 and about
10,000 are believed to use drugs regularly. According to a recent survey,
13 percent of juveniles in Tallinn have some experience using illegal
drugs, or have abused prescription medicines or sniffed harmful
chemicals.
III. Country Actions Against Drugs in 1997
Estonia's law enforcement authorities complain that the criminal code
lacks refinement with respect to drug provisions, but legislation to deal
with this has been submitted to the parliament. The aim of this pending
legislation is to reduce penalties for so-called "recreational" users while
raising it for narcotics traffickers and dealers.
Six full time counternarcotics officers are assigned to the
Tallinn-based Central Criminal Police Bureau which is tasked primarily
within combating organized crime. Included among the six are an officer who
focuses on narcotics matters in the Tallinn prefecture, and another in
northeastern Estonia, which is populated predominantly by
Russian-speakers. In addition, every police prefecture assigns one officer
to be responsible for drug matters.
Eight border guard officers are trained to work with drug-sniffing dogs:
three are based in Tallinn and five at other border stations. There is
still no coordination mechanism for the involved law enforcement agencies
and customs to deal with counternarcotics efforts.
Estonian law enforcement authorities have a liaison in Finland who
coordinates counternarcotics and other law enforcement activities. Sweden
and Finland also have police liaisons permanently assigned to their
embassies in Estonia to perform the same role.
In the first ten months of 1997, 111 drug-related crimes were
registered, a 13.8 percent increase over the same period in 1996. During
the first ten months of 1997, police and customs confiscated about 43
kilograms of poppy straw, 100 grams of amphetamine, 160 tablets of anabolic
steroids and 0.35 grams of cocaine. Police attribute the growth in these
numbers to increased drug abuse and also the growing expertise of law
enforcement officials.
Beginning with the 1997-98 school year, a curriculum module on drug
issues is being taught at both basic and secondary schools. Starting the
following year the subject will be extended to Russian language
schools.
Estonian NGO's are growing more active in providing assistance
concerning drug-related matters. An AIDS prevention center in Tallinn has
started an educational program on a regular basis which has seen the
participation of 135 intravenous drug abusers. It also is distributing free
disposable needles in an effort to limit the spread of the disease.
Corruption. The USG is not aware of any reports of official
narcotics-related corruption in Estonia in 1997.
Agreements and Treaties. Estonia acceded to the 1961 UN Single
Convention, its 1972 Protocol and the 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic
Substances. Estonia's law on narcotics drugs and psychotropic substances
was implemented to comply with the requirements of the UN Conventions. In
May, Estonia and other Baltic states established a Drug Control
Coordination Group and signed a Cooperation Protocol as recommended by the
UNDCP. In June, the Internal Affairs Minister and the Director of the UNDCP
Baltic Bureau signed a Drug Control Project Protocol which provides
assistance to the Estonian counternarcotics police unit and to border
guards in order to promote drug control and prevent smuggling.
Estonia has concluded agreements with Latvia and Lithuania and CIS
countries on law enforcement cooperation. An agreement on the exchange of
relevant information has been signed with Finland. The United States
recently concluded negotiations of a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT)
with Estonia, which has not yet been signed or ratified. In addition,
Estonia's 1924 Extradition Treaty with the US remains in effect, and after
regaining its independence in 1991, the Government of Estonia (GOE) signed
the European Community Treaty on Extradition.
A mini-Dublin Group, established in Estonia in 1994, facilitates
dialogue among governments and international agencies providing
drug-related assistance to the government.
IV. US Policy Initiatives and Programs
Bilateral Cooperation. Estonian police officers and customs
officials continue to benefit from drug interdiction training by the USG,
Nordic and EU countries. The USG has provided Estonia with narcotics test
kits. Contacts have been established between the Drug Enforcement
Administration, Estonian national police and Interpol.
The Road Ahead. In 1998, the USG and other donors intend to offer
Estonia additional training dealing with drug enforcement and organized and
financial crimes. In addition, they will encourage and support the
government in bringing greater attention to coordinate the work of the
interested government bodies and ministries.
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