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
ITALY
I. Summary
The Government of Italy (GOI) is firmly committed to the fight against
narcotics, but Italian organized crime groups remain involved in
international drug trafficking and money laundering. GOI cooperation with
US law enforcement agencies is exemplary. As a result of this cooperation,
several major organized crime figures and fugitives were arrested in
1997. The GOI is an active player in the international fight against drug
trafficking, providing training and financial support for antidrug
initiatives in various Latin American and Eastern European nations.
II. Status of Country
Italy is a large drug consumer nation and is used as a transshipment
point for other Western European nations. Italy is utilized as a site for
money laundering of drug proceeds. The GOI and US law enforcement agencies
have conducted successful joint investigations into money laundering. The
GOI maintains tight control on shipments of precursor chemicals. Italian
law requires that shipments of precursor chemicals from manufacturers be
reported to the Central Counterdrug Agency (Direzione Centrale per Servizi
Antidroga) which in turn notifies recipient countries.
III. Country Actions Against Drugs in 1997
Policy Initiatives. Italy continues to promote the TELEDRUG system
(a "real time" system facilitating sharing of drug intelligence information
among nations) in which thirteen countries participate. Due to budgetary
constraints and domestic political interests, Italy was not able to meet
its goal of establishing an International Law Enforcement and Judicial
Training Center. The Italian radical party has proposed legislation to
legalize some controlled substances such as hashish and marijuana. Public
opinion surveys indicate that 70 percent of the Italian public is opposed
to such legalization. The three police services have active specialized
anti-drug units. The Central Counterdrug Agency (Direzione Centrale per
Servizi Antidroga) has expanded its drug liaison officer force to nine
representatives with responsibility for twenty nations.
Accomplishments. In 1997, several major organized crime figures
were arrested. Earlier this year, Italian national Pino Arlacchi was named
Director of the UNDCP. Arlacchi gained national recognition as a leader in
Italy's fight against the mafia.
Law Enforcement Efforts. The GOI devotes extraordinary resources
to the fight against drug trafficking. In past years, the GOI has
strengthened law enforcement's capability to conduct this fight by
legalizing investigative techniques such as undercover drug purchases by
police and controlled deliveries.
Corruption. In 1997, several police officers were arrested and
charged with corruption. There is no indication that drug-related
corruption has reached higher levels of the government.
Agreements and Treaties. Italy is a party to the 1961 UN Single
Convention and its 1972 Protocol, the 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic
Substances and the 1988 UN Drug Convention. Both Extradition and Mutual
Legal Assistance Treaties are in place between Italy and the US. Italy is a
member of the Italian-American-Canadian-French Working Group, as well as
the bilateral Italian-American Working Group, which recently met in
Washington DC, on October 8-10, 1997. Italy is also a member of the
European Community and thus participates in the following groups and forums
addressing narcotics issues: Dublin Group, UNDCP, Pompidou Group, Europol,
and EU cabinet and attendant committees and expert groups. Italy is a party
to the WCO's International Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance
for the Prevention, Investigation, and Repression of Customs Offences
"Nairobi Convention" Annex X on Assistance in Narcotics Cases. The USG has
concluded a Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement (CMAA) with the Government
of Italy.
Cultivation and Production. Italy is not a significant drug
producer, although small scale cocaine conversion laboratories, operated by
Colombian nationals, have been discovered in Italy.
Drug Flow/Transit. Italy is a transit point for southwest Asian
heroin destined for local consumption and for shipment elsewhere in
Europe. The "Balkan route" (overland from Turkey to Greece, Albania, and
former Yugoslav countries which have ferry boat connections to Italy) is
still being used, as evidenced by the current increase in heroin
seizures. Thousands of Albanian displaced persons fled to Italy in 1997,
and many of them have been arrested for trafficking in cannabis
products. Cocaine from Colombia, Argentina, and Brazil arrives in Italy by
sea, overland from Spain and France, and by air. The cocaine is destined
for use in Italy as well as for transit to Northern Europe. Cocaine
seizures in Italy have been increasing. In 1997, Italy entered into the
Schengen Agreement which allows EU citizens to travel freely within the
European Union without passing border controls.
Demand Reduction. The Central Counterdrug Office has appointed a
full time police official to develop a DARE program for Italy. Italy has
570 rehabilitation centers operated by the Ministry of Health, and 586
rehabilitation centers operated with different levels of government
funding. These centers serve an addict population of approximately
140,000.
IV. US Policy Initiatives and Programs
Bilateral Cooperation. The US and Italy continue to enjoy exemplary
cooperation on counternarcotics efforts. US and Italian law enforcement
authorities continue to carry out numerous joint operations against drug
traffickers, money launderers, and organized crime. Cooperation on
extradition and mutual legal assistance is generally very good.
The Road Ahead. The US will continue to work closely with Italy
on law enforcement operations and investigations targeting international
narcotics trafficking networks and organized crime.
|
