U.S. Department
of StateU.S. Department
of State
BELARUS
I. Summary
Belarus is increasingly vulnerable to the illicit drug trade.
Belarus' location between Russia and the West, its good rail and
road transportation, and a customs union with Russia that
eliminated internal borders between the two countries add to
Belarus' potential as a narcotics transit corridor. Efforts to
move to a market economy have dislocated many workers. Increased
organized crime activity and the lack of legislation are likely
to fuel increased drug trafficking and production by those
organizations. The Government of Belarus (GOB) has not made drug
control a priority. There has only been limited progress on
enacting a comprehensive antidrug strategy. However, Belarus is a
party to all the international drug conventions, including the
1988 UN Convention. The GOB lacks both the legislative framework
and the financial resources to combat drug trafficking.
II. Status of Country
Drug trafficking groups are expanding smuggling operations
through Belarus. Traffickers seeking new routes to Russia and
Western Europe are now moving opiates from Southwest Asia through
Belarus. Most smuggling operations involve the shipment of
heroin, hashish, and/or opium from Afghanistan and Pakistan by
rail. The most frequent transit route is between Ukraine and St.
Petersburg and Moscow. Law enforcement agencies also noted an
increase in the flow of heroin and cocaine from Russia through
Belarus to Western Europe in 1996. In addition, there has been an
increase in incidents of drug smuggling to Poland and Germany as
a result of the customs union that eliminated internal borders
between Belarus and Russia.
Drug-related crime is also rising. The Ministry of Internal
Affairs estimates that 2.1 percent of all crimes are
drug-related. In addition, there is some cultivation of opium
poppy in Belarus, although the extent is not known.
Health authorities believe that such transit trade is fueling
a domestic drug market. According to the Ministry of Health and
the Ministry of Interior, there has been an annual increase in
the number of registered drug addicts. Although the number of
registered drug addicts is quite low -- 3,000 in 1996 -- this is
a 35 percent increase over 1995. Some officials believe that the
increase in HIV in some cities such as Svetlogorsk is linked to
the drug situation. Most Belarusian addicts use products made of
opium poppy, oil poppy or cannabis. However, they are also using
synthetic drugs such as ecstasy, heroin, cocaine, barbiturates,
and other drugs in increasing amounts.
The large chemical industry in Belarus is vulnerable to the illicit drug industry. The GOB has made no effort to establish a chemical control monitoring regime and law enforcement officials are not trained to investigate exports or clandestine amphetamine production. In November, however, the KGB discovered an amphetamine laboratory and distribution ring at the Vitebsk medical institute.
GOB officials are unaware of any extensive money laundering
operations. Nevertheless, Belarus does not have anti-money
laundering legislation or asset seizure laws and it permits bank
secrecy. In addition, the growing number of casinos and other
legitimate establishments may be used for money laundering.
III. Country Actions Against Drugs in 1996
Policy Initiatives. Although President
Lukashenko announced a decree in December 1994 on fighting crime
and drugs, the GOB has not formulated any long-range antidrug
plans.
GOB drug control efforts focus on interdiction. Responsibility
for investigating and discovering narcotics-related crime is
divided among the Ministry of Internal Affairs, KGB, the Customs
Committee, Border Guards and Ministry of Health. The government
established an interagency commission to coordinate antidrug
activities in June 1995; it is headed by Prosecutor General O.
Bozhelko. Seizures in 1996 included: 56 kgs of cannabis; 4 grams
heroin; 3 grams cocaine; 305 grams synthetic drugs; 1.8 kgs poppy
straw; and 82 kgs of extracted opium. GOB also eradicated
approximately 16,000 square meters of opium poppy; and 775 square
meters of cannabis.
Cultivation and Production. Although opium cultivation is outlawed, GOB officials believe that there is cultivation for domestically produced drugs as well as for traditional cooking uses. Belarus also has the resources necessary for the production of synthetic narcotics. Laboratory and technical capabilities are in place while much of the industrial plants are idle.
Corruption. The USG does not have any reports
of high-level official narcotics-related corruption in Belarus.
Agreements and Treaties. Belarus is a party
to the 1988 UN Convention, the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic
Drugs, and the 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances.
Belarus signed an agreement in 1993 on drug control assistance
with Italy, and plans to conclude similar agreements with
Austria, Bulgaria, Sweden and Germany. The GOB also has signed
interstate treaties on assistance with Lithuania and China.
Belarus is a party to the CIS Convention on Legal Assistance and
has become a member of Interpol.
Demand Reduction. The GOB has not developed a
national drug abuse prevention strategy. Demand reduction
programs emphasize treatment and social rehabilitation of current
drug addicts. Treatment for drug addicts is generally performed
in psychiatric hospitals, either through arrest or
self-enrollment.
IV. U.S. Policy Initiatives and Programs
Policy Initiatives. The USG will encourage the GOB to expand its drug control activities and to establish the necessary legislative and institutional capabilities. During 1997, the USG will focus its support on urging Belarus to implement the 1988 UN Convention.
