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
FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
I. Summary
Illicit drug trafficking increased in the Former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia (FYROM) during 1997. However, this increase was at a slower pace
than in previous years. Drug trafficking was a greater problem in the area
of domestic sale and use than in transit traffic. Internal upheaval in
Albania combined with the improvement of transportation options through the
FRY resulted in the decline of East-West linkages through the country and
the resumption of the old Balkan route (Sofia to Dimitrovgrad to Belgrade
to western Europe). While the amount of drugs in transit has decreased, a
larger quantity of drugs is now present in the Macedonian market. The
Government of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is a party to the
1988 UN Drug Convention.
II. Status of Country
FYROM is a transshipment point for drug trafficking between Turkey and
western Europe, but it is not a significant problem in the region. Illicit
narcotics traffic through the country declined in 1997. The East-West link
from Bulgaria through FYROM to Albania established in previous years during
the Greek embargo on FYROM and UN sanctions on the FRY seems to have been
abandoned. Reasons for the change are both the improved transportation
options along the North-South route and the insecurity in Albania, which
deterred traffickers from attempting to transit that country in order to
use Albanian ports.
Drug abuse in the country is a growing problem and could lead to
increases in criminality in other areas. 1997 statistics from the Ministry
of Interior show a nearly 30 percent increase in overall drug arrests, most
of which it believes are related to domestic use. In addition, the number
of registered drug addicts increased significantly in 1997, to 2,566
individuals, of whom 565 are newly registered. Most of the country's
registered addicts are addicted to heroin.
III. Country Actions Against Drugs in 1997
The Macedonian government is actively implementing an anti-narcotics
program, although it is still in the process of establishing a targeted
anti-narcotics unit. At present, the anti-narcotics unit operates as a part
of the Department for Illegal Trade and Smuggling at the Ministry of
Internal Affairs.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs, which is responsible for conducting
interdiction operations, made 151 arrests for drug trafficking and illegal
production. This compares with 117 arrests in 1996, although the total
amount of drugs seized in 1997 was smaller than in 1996. Seizures totaled
15 kgs of heroin, 45 kgs of raw opium, 58 kgs of marijuana and 11
grams of cocaine. However, 184 units of synthetic drugs, primarily ecstasy,
were seized in 1997, a notable increase from 65 units seized in 1996.
A new development this year was the seizure of precursor chemicals, in
this case, 14,000 liters of acetic anhydride. The MOI believes the
chemicals were destined for labs in Turkey.
The heroin present in the Macedonian market is thought to be
manufactured primarily in Turkey. In four cases of heroin trafficking, the
MOI uncovered organized smuggling involving Bulgarian, Turkish and
Macedonian citizens. The marijuana in the country is mostly of domestic
origin (grown by individual for personal use), but some is also smuggled in
from Bulgaria and Albania.
Cultivation/Production. There is some illicit cultivation of
cannabis in FYROM for personal consumption. There are no statistics on such
cultivation. However, enforcement is supported by an aggressive
anti-illicit cultivation program. There is also legal opium poppy
cultivation, which is strictly controlled. Production is by individual
farmer-contractors or big socially-owned agricultural plants. Alkaloid, the
only factory in the country that processes the opium poppy, provides the
contractors with poppy seeds and buys the opium. There have been no reports
of diversion. Legal production is reported to the Macedonian Ministry of
Health and through the Ministry of Internal Affairs to the International
Narcotics Control Bureau in Vienna. There are no reports of illicit
production or refining of heroin. Some recent cases under investigation
have suggested that there may be an illegal laboratory producing
amphetamines, but this has not been confirmed.
Policy Initiatives. The Macedonian government developed
legislation to allow limited asset seizure. Currently, Macedonian police
and customs authorities can seize only vehicles involved in drug
trafficking.
Law Enforcement Efforts. Cooperation with neighboring countries
is improving. Macedonian drug enforcement officers have used the
opportunities at DEA-sponsored training seminars to establish informal
contacts with their counterparts from the region. One concrete example of
good cooperation with Bulgarian police was a controlled delivery. Although
the operation was not in the end a success, the two countries worked well
together. Macedonian cooperation with the DEA in 1997 resulted in the
arrest of a Macedonian citizen wanted on charges of drug trafficking in the
United States. Although extradition of its nationals is constitutionally
prohibited, Macedonia has agreed to prosecute him there for the crimes
committed in the US.
The Ministry of Interior participates in the INTERPOL-ProBalkan
program.
Corruption. As a matter of policy, the Government of FYROM does
not encourage or facilitate the illicit production or distribution of
drugs, other controlled substances or the laundering of drug money.
Demand Reduction. Public awareness programs are limited and
supported primarily by international organizations and recently by the
Macedonian Orthodox Church. Recently efforts have been made to include
local sport stars in a prevention program.
Limited treatment of addicts is financed by the state. Heroin addicts
are treated by distributing methadone if the addicts can verify they are in
treatment in state institutions. A recent problem of shortage of the
methadone supply raised concerns about the possible trafficking in
methadone by addicts.
Agreements and Treaties. FYROM is a party to the 1988 UN Drug
Convention, the 1961 UN Single Convention and its 1972 Protocol, and the
1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances. An Extradition Treaty with
Yugoslavia dating from 1902 is in effect between the US and FYROM.
IV. US Policy Initiatives and Programs
Bilateral Cooperation. The US Government accredited a non-resident
DEA Country Attache to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in
1997. This will help the USG to promote increased Macedonian government
attention to the drug problem. Moreover, the USG encourages anti-drug
support from those nations, primarily in western Europe, most directly
affected by the drug problems from this region. In 1997, the USG provided
training for seven drug enforcement officers in Zagreb, Croatia and one
drug enforcement management unit in the US. In addition, the UN Center for
Crime Prevention and the Ministries of Interior, Justice and Finance
organized a seminar on the Prevention of Organized Crime and Corruption in
Skopje in coordination with the United Nations Preventive Deployment Force
(UNPREDEP) partially funded by the USG.
The Road Ahead. The USG will encourage the Macedonian government
to expand and improve its drug control activities, enact anti-drug
legislation, and improve its counternarcotics enforcement capabilities, and
may allocate funds to support the effort FYROM makes in drug
enforcement. The US Government will urge Macedonian authorities to continue
to implement the provisions of the 1988 UN Drug Convention.
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