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International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, 1999 Released by the Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, U.S. Department of State Washington, DC, March 2000

CANADA, MEXICO, AND CENTRAL AMERICA

BELIZE

I. Summary

Belize was removed from the list of major drug transit countries in 1999 because of declining estimates of the amounts of drugs transiting there in route to the U.S. and Mexico and little in the way of drug seizures in the past two years. There is no evidence establishing that drugs coming to the U.S. from Belize are coming in significant enough quantities to have a significant effect on the U.S. However, the geography and proximity of Belize to Mexico and western Caribbean drug transit routes make it a logical transshipment point for drugs destined for the United States. Therefore, it remains a country of concern. The Government of Belize (GOB) recognizes this problem and works closely with the United States on narcotics control and other international crime issues primarily through the efforts of the Belize Police Force (BPF) and the Belize Defense Force (BPF). Over the past year, the GOB has made strides to build up the police infrastructure by increasing personnel, renovating police stations, and enhancing police equipment and training. Belize is a party to the 1988 UN Drug convention.

II. Status of Country

Contiguous borders with Guatemala and Mexico, large tracts of unpopulated jungle and forested, a long unprotected coastline, hundreds of small cayes offshore, many inland waterways and a rudimentary infrastructure for combating drug trafficking and drug abuse make Belize a potentially significant transshipment point for illicit drugs.

III. Country Actions Against Drugs

Policy Initiatives. The new police commissioner, named in September 1999, is working to create a counternarcotics task force. The initiative marks the first time a law enforcement unit will be dedicated solely to counternarcotics. The GOB has authorized on-site collaboration of a U.S. law enforcement officer with the new counternarcotics task force. U.S. law enforcement training and technical assistance will be provided to assist in establishing the unit.

The GOB also created a national drug council, which developed the nation's first comprehensive drug control strategy with the assistance of the Organization of American States. The Ministry of National Security and Immigration intends to finalize the strategy in early 2000.

The GOB hosted the regional International Drug Enforcement Conference, (IDEC) Group D conference in June 1999 and continues to support regional counternarcotics efforts. The GOB fully participated in joint counternarcotics operations with the USG, such as Central Skies and Regional Aerial Reconnaissance and Eradication (RARE) missions. Throughout the year the GOB also carries out its own counternarcotics operations.

Accomplishments. According to GOB statistics, in the last year the GOB increased the size of the police department by 10 percent, renovated dozens of police stations countrywide, trained approximately 25 percent of the police force, and acquired equipment and uniforms for law enforcement personnel. U.S. counternarcotics and law enforcement assistance has focused on renovating the Belize City police station, constructing the Joint Information Coordination Center (JICC) and establishing the new anti-money laundering unit. Ongoing support of equipment and training was provided to the police canine unit and rapid response force (Dragon Unit), and the Joint Intelligence Coordinating Center (JICC).

Illicit Cultivation/Production. In the first ten months of 1999, just over 300,000 marijuana plants were eradicated in Belize. Illicit cultivation of marijuana continues to occur in Belize, but at reduced levels from the widespread cultivation of a decade ago, when Belize ranked fourth in worldwide marijuana production. The BPD and BDF routinely conduct manual marijuana eradication missions involving, at times, modest-size fields, ranging from 500 to several thousand plants.

Because of environmental concerns, the GOB does not allow spray missions for the eradication of marijuana. However, it actively continues to cooperate and encourage RARE operations. Such missions are followed by police and Belize defense Force (BDF) manual eradication of marijuana fields and seedlings, which the GOB views as effective and more environmentally sound. There are indications that marijuana cultivation is slightly up from last year. Although thousands of plants were destroyed in various operations, few arrests were made. Because marijuana fields are usually found in fairly remote regions, far from the homes of those who cultivate the crops, few arrests result from these operations.

Precursor Chemical Control. There is no evidence of traffic in precursor chemicals in Belize. Almost no industry in Belize requires the use of precursor chemicals. However, the GOB, in support of the 1988 U. N. Drug Convention, developed a precursor chemical program. There is no evidence of production of drugs other than cultivation of marijuana in Belize.

Money Laundering. There is little evidence at this point that Belize is an active money laundering center. However, money laundering remains a major potential threat in Belize. The Government of Belize's banking control legislation, the Offshore Banking Act and the Money Laundering Prevention Act have been in force since August 1, 1996. The latter criminalizes money laundering, while also allowing for international cooperation. However, Belizean law enforcement authorities have yet to seize any assets or try a single case under its money laundering law. The GOB expects to gain a better assessment of money laundering activity and potential when the new Belizean financial investigations unit starts its fieldwork in 2000. Belize participates in the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF). A CFATF assessment team is scheduled to visit Belize early in 2000.

Asset Seizure. The GOB is becoming more aggressive in its seizure of assets taken in connection with drug trafficking. However, negotiations to implement an International Asset Sharing program in Belize have been stalled for the last year. Joint investigations between the Belize Police force and U.S. law enforcement agencies targeting assets are currently being planned for 2000.

Extradition. The GOB continues to extradite Belizean Nationals indicted under U.S. Law under the 1972 U.S.-U.K. Extradition Treaty. Three such extraditions have taken place over the last several years. The GOG, however, has inserted serious obstacles to the conclusion of a new, modern extradition treaty.

Law Enforcement and Transit Cooperation. Belize cooperates with nations in the region to combat drug trafficking or other serious crime. In June 1999, Belize hosted the Regional IDEC, Group D meeting. The GOB has also hosted operational meetings and has shared case-specific information of ongoing investigations with Mexico, Colombia, and Guatemala. The GOB was a partner with the USG in two Central Skies operations during the year. The GOB consistently gives the U.S. Coast Guard permission to board Belize-registered ships suspected of illegal activity on the high seas.

Belizean officials routinely participate in a variety of international training seminars. Belize sent two high level officials to the Western Hemisphere Drug Policy leadership conference and participated in the Central America Regional Demand Reduction Conference. GOB law enforcement personnel participate in regional training seminars both in Central America and in the Caribbean. Over the past year, Belize hosted a number of U.S. law enforcement training teams (FBI, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs, EPIC) which trained approximately 100 Belizeans in counternarcotics and investigative techniques.

Demand Reduction. GOB demand reduction efforts are coordinated by the National Drug Abuse Control Council (NDACC) which provides drug abuse education, information, counseling, rehabilitation and outreach. NDACC is taking a leadership role in developing Belize's national drug strategy. NDACC received a three-year $6500 grant from the European Union to strengthen demand reduction efforts throughout the country.

Law Enforcement Efforts. At 37 kilograms, seizures of cocaine in 1999 were approximately equal the amount seized in 1998. While Belize is a potential transit zone for cocaine, little evidence is available to confirm the passage of large shipments of cocaine through Belizean waters, except for the occasional single kilo cocaine packages that regularly wash ashore. The GOB does not have resources to pursue major maritime interdiction efforts. However, GOB efforts to eradicate marijuana have been very successful. 1999 figures for marijuana eradication surpassed last year's totals by about 50 percent. Likewise, arrests for drug-related offenses are up from last year. The biggest internal drug problem faced by Belize is primarily from drug-associated criminality. The newly appointed Commissioner of Police is in the process of creating a new drug task force dedicated to handling counternarcotics cases. Counternarcotics operations are consistently conducted throughout the year. Obtaining convictions remains a problem as the Belizean prosecutor's office is understaffed, poorly equipped and trained, and has historically been ineffective.

Corruption. There have been no test cases since the new Commissioner of Police was appointed. However, in 1999 the GOB created an Ombudsman office which can independently investigate allegations of government wrongdoing. The police also have an internal affairs investigator charged with handling complaints against police officers.

Agreements and Treaties. Belize has been a party to the 1988 UN Convention since 1996. In March 1997, Belize ratified a stolen car treaty with the USG. In September 1997, the GOB signed the National Crime Information Center Pilot project assessment agreement which allows for the sharing of information and data between the U.S. and Belize. In 1992, Belize set the standard for maritime counter-drug cooperation by signing a shiprider agreement with the USG. An overflight/order-to-land amendment to the agreement is under negotiation. Negotiation of new extradition treaty and an MLAT have been stalled by the GOB for several years.

Drug Flow/Transit. Maritime routes along Belize's long coastline, remote border crossings, and inland waterways are the suspected means for trafficking narcotics through Belize to Mexico, Guatemala and the U.S. With limited seizures of cocaine during the past two years, transit patterns have been difficult to verify.

IV. U.S. Policy Initiatives and Programs

The U.S. strategy in Belize continues to focus on assisting the GOB to developing a sustainable infrastructure which will allow it to combat its drug problems effectively. In 1999, USG support included equipment and training for several units of the police department, including the canine unit, the dragon unit, the violent crimes and intelligence unit and the JICC. USG assistance has also provided partial funding to renovate the district police headquarters in Belize City and construction of the larger JICC headquarters in Belmopan. The GOB has also requested and received the support of elements of the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. military for counternarcotics activities and training.

The Road Ahead. As pressure on other avenues of transport increases, the potential remains for Belize to be a significant transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana. Marijuana cultivation continues to require monitoring and periodic eradication. After a year in power the People's United Party government continues to rank combating drug trafficking and associated crime as a top priority. To further our partnership with the GOB the USG will vigorously pursue completion of overflight, extradition and MLAT agreements. In addition, USG support will focus on building maritime capabilities, supporting police counternarcotics units and improving the administration of justice.

Belize Statistics

(1991-1999)

	1999	1998	1997	1996	1995	1994	1993	1992	1991
Cannabis
Net Cultivation (ha)	unk	unk	unk	unk	unk	unk	unk	unk	54
Eradication (plants)	270,136	202,803	294,712	129,771	135,216	10,751	89	51	266
Cultivation (ha)	unk	unk	unk	unk	unk	unk	49	unk	320
Seizures
Cocaine HCl (mt)	0.037	0.040	2.691	0.087	0.840	0.141	0.010	0.850	0.013
Cannabis (mt)	0.4	1.6	0.3	0.2	2.8	4.8	93.0	52.0	0.8
Arrests/Detentions	2,369	1,743	1,701	1,766	1,227	1,227	1,287	1,529	658

 

CANADA

I. Summary

Canada, like the United States, is primarily a drug-consuming country and also produces large amounts of marijuana. Much of the Canadian-produced marijuana is shipped to the U.S. International drug traffickers frequently attempt to route drug shipments, primarily heroin, through Canada to the U.S., taking advantage of the long and open Canada-U.S. border, the massive flow of legitimate commerce, and the lower risk of long prison terms or forfeiture of assets if caught in Canada compared with the U.S. Money laundering and chemical diversion are also problems. Legislation is being drafted to strengthen Canada's ability to control money laundering.

With approximately 1,000,000 drug users in Canada, including some 250,000 cocaine addicts and 40,000 heroin addicts, The Government of Canada's (GOC) drug control strategy emphasizes drug abuse prevention and treatment. The law enforcement component emphasizes action against organized crime. Canadian law enforcement officials cooperate closely with their U.S. counterparts on narcotics investigations and interdiction efforts. Canada is a party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention and participates actively in international drug control efforts.

II. Status of Country

Narcotics production, distribution, and use are illegal in Canada. Drugs are smuggled into Canada for domestic use and for transshipment to the U.S. While the level of illicit drug transshipment through Canada to the U.S. is not known, Canadian and U.S. law enforcement agencies are taking the problem very seriously, particularly with respect to Asian-sourced heroin.

Southeast Asian heroin continues to enter North America predominantly by sea containers, but also by air and overland. Major ports of entry include Vancouver, Montreal, and Halifax. Given the long and open U.S.-Canada border, Canada will continue to be targeted by smugglers for potential transit points to and from the U.S. market. U.S. and Canadian law enforcement coordinate closely at all levels to curb trafficking, but recognize that constant vigilance is required. Money laundering and chemical diversion are also problems in Canada.

Canada has a relatively low crime rate compared with most countries in the Western Hemisphere, but organized crime and drug trafficking are becoming more serious problems. Toronto, Canada's largest city, has experienced growing problems with organized criminals from Asia and Russia. Asian ethnic groups, particularly gangs from China, dominate the heroin trade, alien smuggling, and credit card fraud, much of which is aimed at the United States. Vancouver, which also has significant Asian gang activity, now suffers from epidemic drug abuse with nearly one death per day from heroin overdoses. There have also been reports that outlaw motorcycle gang activities are on the rise nationwide, including methamphetamine trafficking.

Arrests in Europe have also indicated that Romanian and other criminal groups have smuggled Turkish-origin heroin to Vancouver as well. Canadian-based cocaine traffickers once relied primarily on U.S.-based suppliers, but are increasingly going directly to Colombia, according to the RCMP. Shipments arrive via mothership, marine containers, and occasionally by clandestine flights. Colombian organizations dominate the cocaine trade in eastern and central Canada. Italian organized crime is also involved in drug trafficking. The RCMP estimates that between 50-100 tons of foreign marijuana, 100 tons of hashish (plus 6 tons of liquid hashish), 15 tons of cocaine and at least one ton of heroin are imported into Canada each year, producing up to CAN$4 billion in wholesale profits and CAN$18 billion in street-level profits.

Canada's drug strategy, the third in a series of five-year plans, was issued in 1998. While the strategy is comprehensive, addressing all of the foregoing problems, it focuses most of its counternarcotics efforts, and resources (approximately 70%), on domestic demand reduction. Building on stronger anti-drug legislation passed in 1997, the Canadian drug strategy calls for a new targeting imperative on organized crime by the Solicitor General's Office.

III. Country Actions Against Drugs in 1999

Policy Initiatives. Canada's large and diverse financial sector, and lack of mandatory reporting requirements for suspicious transactions, has become an attractive venue for international money launderers. Recognizing this increasing threat, and responding to recommendations made to Canada by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the GOC promulgated control legislation in 1999. It has also taken steps to increase the capabilities of Canadian law enforcement authorities to detect suspicious transactions and to conduct money laundering investigations. Canada also added ten new integrated proceeds-of-crime law enforcement units, based on pilot projects in three cities.

Accomplishments. In 1999 (as of September), Canadian authorities made 12,541 drug-related arrests (compared with 7,531 in 1998). As of September 1999, GOC authorities had seized 500 kilograms of cocaine (down from 1.22 metric tons during the same period in 1998), 51 kilograms of heroin (down from 121 kilograms for this period in 1998), 4.289 metric tons of marijuana (down from 5.955 metric tons for this period in 1998), and 3.35 metric tons of hashish (down from 819 kilograms as of September 1998).

Canadian law enforcement operations, often in cooperation with U.S. agencies, resulted in the interdiction of numerous large-scale narcotics shipments and disruption of trafficking organizations. After a two-year investigation, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) arrested Alfonso Caruana, reputed leader of the Caruana/Contreara organized crime family. This organization was responsible for the acquisition of cocaine in Mexico, which was ultimately shipped to the U.S., Canada and Italy. As part of this investigation, 200 kilograms of cocaine were seized in Houston, Texas.

The RCMP cooperated with the Hong Kong Narcotics Bureau in January to arrest members of a heroin ring operating between China and Canada. There were simultaneous arrests in Hong Kong, Vancouver and Toronto, along with seizures of large amounts of heroin and drug proceeds. Canadian customs inspectors arrested two Hong Kong traffickers who arrived in Toronto from Vancouver in possession of 43 kilograms of heroin; they were en route to London.

In June, after a three-year investigation, the RCMP launched a full-scale operation against a major international heroin ring that had been smuggling large amounts of Burmese-origin heroin into Vancouver for distribution in Canada and the U.S. Over 30 suspects were arrested and 56 kilograms (120 pounds) of heroin seized. According to the RCMP, the group moved enough heroin that it could occasionally stockpile supplies in Canada and drive up prices in North American markets. Parallel raids and arrests were conducted by the FBI in New York and Puerto Rico, and by Thai and Hong Kong authorities. This exceptional investigative work and international coordination dismantled the organization.

Law Enforcement Efforts. During 1999, Canadian authorities continued to implement the five-year anti-drug strategy issued in 1998. The strategy recognizes the growing threat from transnational organized crime, particularly narcotics traffickers, and directs a concerted effort against it. In addition to creating proceeds of crime units, the offensive focuses law enforcement resources on criminal organizations and money laundering operations. These efforts will be enhanced once expected suspicious transaction reporting requirements legislation is passed next year and a new financial investigation unit is created. After five years of consecutive budget cuts to law enforcement, the improving national budget situation permitted an increase in funding in 1999.

While the RCMP has mounted effective operations against narcotics and other criminal organizations, the impact of these efforts have been undermined in numerous cases by court decisions. Canadian courts have been reluctant to impose tough prison sentences, often opting for fines, reflecting a widespread view that drugs are a "victimless" crime or simply a health issue, not a criminal or public safety concern. For example, one court dismissed charges against an individual arrested for snorting crack in a public restroom, calling it an invasion of his privacy. The Supreme Court has questioned the legality of police involvement in "sting"-type operations, undercover "buys" and other techniques now commonly used around the world in drug investigations, largely on privacy grounds, as a potential violation of the 1982 Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Canadian press reports indicate that only about 20% of those convicted of growing marijuana in Vancouver receive jail terms, and that British Colombia has the highest rate of acquittal rates in the nation. In January, a judge ruled that a convicted criminal, who had already been deported by the GOC, must be returned to Canada at GOC expense to pursue his request for refugee status, despite having aided two Colombian drug traffickers to escape from jail.

Corruption. Canada holds its officials and law enforcement personnel to very high standards of conduct and has strong anti-corruption controls in place. Government personnel found to be engaged in malfeasance of any kind are removed and subject to prosecution.

Agreements and Treaties. Canada is a party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention. The U.S. and Canada have long-standing agreements on law enforcement cooperation, including extradition and mutual legal assistance treaties and an asset sharing agreement. In 1998, the RCMP became the first foreign law enforcement organization to be afforded access to the El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC), the USG's tactical drug intelligence center.

The USG has concluded a Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement (CMAA) with the Government of Canada. Canada is also a party to the World Customs Organization's International Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance for the Prevention, Investigation, and Repression of Customs Offenses (Nairobi Convention), Annex X on Assistance in Narcotics Cases.

Canada actively participates in international anti-drug fora including: the United Nations International Drug Control Program (UNDCP), the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission of the Organization of American States (CICAD), the Dublin Group, the Financial Action Task Force, and other groups. Canada is an active participant in the UN negotiations on a global crime convention.

During 1998-9, Deputy Solicitor General Jean Fournier chaired the inter-governmental working group that negotiated the Multilateral Evaluation Mechanism (MEM), a hemispheric peer review system to evaluate each OAS Member State's anti-drug strategies and efforts. The MEM, which was mandated by the 1998 Summit of the Americas, was completed in Ottawa, Canada in August after 18 months of negotiations. It was approved by the OAS in October. The first MEM evaluations will be completed during 2000.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Axworthy organized a Foreign Ministers' Dialogue Group at the June OAS General Assembly to explore the drug issue from the perspective of "Human Security," including the impact of law enforcement or drug control activities on individuals and communities. Canada provided CAN$650,000 to UNDCP for 1998. It also contributed CAN$246,900 cash and CAN$132,000 in kind directly to CICAD.

Cultivation and Production. Cannabis is grown throughout the country and is particularly abundant in the Provinces of Quebec and British Columbia. While the GOC does not produce a formal production estimate, Canadian law enforcement authorities estimate it at around 800 metric tons per year, with up to 60 percent of that smuggled into the United States. According to Canadian intelligence, marijuana cultivation in British Columbia is a sophisticated, one billion dollar-a-year growth industry. RCMP investigations suggest that high-THC content, hydroponically-grown marijuana is exchanged pound-for-pound with cocaine from the U.S. U.S.-produced marijuana is also imported into Canada, although the level of this activity is not known.

Domestic Programs. The GOC emphasizes demand reduction in its drug control strategy and, along with non-governmental organizations, offers extensive drug abuse prevention programs. The focus on prevention is considered a more cost-effective intervention. There are substantial regional differences in the patterns of drug abuse. For example, Vancouver suffered a wave of heroin overdose deaths while native American communities in the prairie provinces were plagued with propane and glue-sniffing and an injected combination of two legal drugs (over-the-counter Talwin and prescription Ritalin) known as "poor-man's heroin."

IV. U.S. Policy Initiatives and Programs

U.S. law enforcement agencies maintain broad, deep, and highly productive cooperation with their Canadian counterparts. In this context, the USG continues to press the following goals:

Work to strengthen legislation and regulatory practice in an effort to bring them more in line with international standards and practices;

Maintain and expand two-way intelligence sharing;

Maintain and expand professional exchanges and cooperative training activities between our law enforcement agencies; and,

Maintain joint cross-border investigations and operations.

Bilateral Cooperation. In addition to the extensive cooperation described elsewhere in this report, the U.S. and Canada established the Cross-Border Crime Forum in 1997 to regularize and institutionalize, at a high level, coordination on policy matters, projects and operations and to resolve any problems or impediments that arise in the relationship. The Forum met in June in Canada. It is actively working on establishing a mechanism to enhance intelligence sharing and develop priorities for joint targeting of criminal groups involved in drug trafficking.

Other U.S.-Canada cooperative mechanisms include often-used extradition and mutual legal assistance (MLAT) treaties, and an information sharing agreement between the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the RCMP.

The Road Ahead. The United States looks forward to continuing its already excellent law enforcement cooperation with Canada at both the bilateral and international level. The GOC has taken important steps to enhance the capabilities of Canadian law enforcement to confront the growing threat of international organized crime, drug trafficking and money laundering in Canada: the organized crime focus of its new anti-drug strategy, strengthened laws and regulations, improved organization of police and security entities, and increased funding for law enforcement. However, greater support from other sectors, notably the judicial and financial sectors, would increase the impact of the GOC's law enforcement efforts significantly and create a stronger deterrent to crime.

COSTA RICA

I. Summary

Costa Rica is a transshipment country for the smuggling of cocaine from South America to the United States. The first six-part, comprehensive bilateral Maritime Counterdrug Cooperation Agreement in the region entered into force in November 1999. The legal reforms enacted in May 1998 continue to augment law enforcement's ability to address narcotics trafficking activity as well as strengthen controls within the banking sector against narcotics-related money laundering. Costa Rica is a party to the 1988 United Nations Drug Convention.

II. Status of Country

Costa Rica's location on the Central American isthmus makes it a transshipment country and a temporary storage area for cocaine being smuggled to the United States and Europe, although we do not have evidence of sufficient quantities to have a significant effect on the United States. This year has seen a marked decrease in cocaine seizures as compared to the previous two years (approximately 1.9 tons thus far in 1999 versus roughly seven tons in 1997 and eight tons in 1998). Faced with enhanced land interdiction capabilities by Costa Rican officials, drug trafficking organizations adapted, in part, by bypassing traditional overland routes. Some traffickers may be transporting drug shipments to points north via go-fast boats and aircraft. Costa Ricans are increasingly concerned over local consumption of illicit narcotics, particularly crack cocaine, and violent crimes associated with drug use and trafficking. The Government of Costa Rica's (GOCR) adoption of anti-drug measures, such as wiretap laws and the maritime accord, are an attempt to meet the serious threats posed by narcotics trafficking. However, resource limitations continue to constrain enforcement.

III. Country Actions Against Drugs in 1999

Policy Initiatives. The U.S.-Costa Rica six-part bilateral Maritime Counterdrug Cooperation Agreement, signed on December 1, 1998, entered into force on November 19, 1999. The Administration of President Rodriguez also continued efforts to implement reforms that established within the banking sector, deposit reporting requirements and laws against laundering the proceeds of narcotics activities. The professionalization of executive branch police forces continued under the National Police Code enacted in 1994. All new enlisted recruits must undergo training at the Public Security Ministry's National Police School. Additionally, the GOCR enacted legislation in November to transform the Maritime Surveillance Service into a professional Coast Guard organization. The Criminal Procedure Code, enacted in January 1998, which strengthens prosecutorial responsibilities in investigations, saw its second year of implementation. The Judicial Investigative Police and the Public Prosecutor's Office are attempting to work more closely, as mandated in the new Code.

Accomplishments. Relations between USG law enforcement agencies and GOCR counternarcotics officials remain close and productive resulting in routine sharing of information and joint operations. The Judicial Investigative Police initiated an investigation of a group of Cuban-American traffickers using information provided from U.S. law enforcement agencies. The operation netted over one million U.S. dollars in currency in Costa Rica and led to additional seizures of cash and properties in the United States, bringing the total seizure value to more than two million dollars. The suspects in this case were arrested by GOCR authorities and are currently in custody awaiting trial.

Costa Rica hosted three successful joint operations under the auspices of USG regional engagement, known as "Central Skies." Personnel from the Public Security Ministry destroyed over 1.6 million marijuana plants in the mountainous regions of southern Costa Rica during the Central Skies deployment in June 1999. The Drug Department of the Public Health Ministry operates an effective program to license the import and distribution of precursor chemicals and prescription medicines.

Law Enforcement Efforts. The Judicial Investigative Police operate a small, but highly professional Narcotics Section that specializes in investigating international narcotics trafficking. The Narcotics Section uses the full range of investigative techniques permitted under the country's progressive anti-drug statutes, including use of wiretaps, controlled deliveries, and undercover agents. Costa Rica's wiretap law has disrupted criminal organizations, making those organizations increasingly more guarded in their communications and more likely to use pay telephones and/or pre-paid cards and to switch cellular phones on a more frequent basis. The Drug Control Police of the Public Security Ministry investigate both domestic and international drug smuggling and distribution.

Costa Rica does not have an expeditious asset forfeiture procedure. Current law does not put the burden of proof on the defendant to prove the legitimate purchase of assets. The development of a comprehensive asset forfeiture legal procedure would facilitate law enforcement efforts and provide the GOCR with a much needed resource base.

Corruption. President Rodriquez has worked to deter corruption among public officials. USG law enforcement agencies consider most units within the public security forces to be full partners in counternarcotics investigations and operations with little or no fear of compromise to on-going cases.

Agreements and Treaties. The six-part bilateral Maritime Agreement is the most comprehensive agreement of its kind in the region. The agreement is designed to promote closer cooperation in the interdiction of maritime drug smuggling. The U.S. and Costa Rica signed at the same time a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding on maritime cooperation and assistance, under which the U.S. agreed to take steps toward securing equipment and technical and training assistance for the Costa Rican Coast Guard. The GOCR ratified a bilateral Stolen Vehicles Treaty with the United States in June 1999. The U.S. and Costa Rica extradition treaty has been in force since October 11, 1991. Although Costa Rican law does not permit the extradition of nationals, the treaty is actively used for the extradition of U.S.citizens. Costa Rica is a party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention and all other UN narcotics agreements. Costa Rica and the U.S. are also parties to bilateral drug information and intelligence sharing agreements dating from 1975 and 1976. Costa Rica is a member of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force.

Cultivation and Production. Marijuana cultivation is relatively small-scale and sometimes intermixed with legitimate crops. There is no evidence of marijuana exportation from Costa Rica. Costa Rica does not produce other illicit drug crops.

Drug Flow and Transit. Overland shipments transiting Costa Rica are more likely to be transported in smaller vehicles as opposed to the more traditional tractor-trailers. Historically, overland shipments would proceed to San Jose for temporary storage prior to consolidation or re-packing for transit northward. Current information indicates that such shipments are being moved directly from the southern to the northern border as quickly as possible, from where they pass into Nicaragua. The Judicial Investigative Police have reported a dramatic shortage of cocaine in Costa Rica at the street level, as evidenced by a recent rise in prices. The price of crack cocaine has almost doubled and cocaine HCl has increased by 50 percent compared to 1998.

Domestic Programs (Demand Reduction). Costa Ricans are increasingly concerned over local consumption, especially of crack cocaine. Abuse appears highest in the Central Valley (including the major cities of San Jose, Alajuela, Cartago, and Heredia), the port cities of Limon and Puntarenas, the north near Barro del Colorado, and along the southern border. The National Drug Prevention Council (CENADRO) supervises demand reduction efforts throughout the country, primarily through well-developed educational programs for use in schools and community centers. CENADRO also serves as the custodian for assets seized from narcotics traffickers. The Costa Rican Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) Foundation, modeled after its U.S. counterpart, conducts drug awareness programs at public and private schools, and is considered one of the top international DARE programs. President Rodriquez has called for greater international cooperation in the fight against illicit narcotics, including during the June 1998 United Nations General Assembly Special Session on Drugs. However, resource constraints continue to limit enforcement actions, as drug trafficking outstrips the GOCR's improved efforts.

IV. U.S. Policy Initiatives and Programs

U.S. Policy Initiatives. U.S. counternarcotics efforts in Costa Rica center on the goal of reducing significantly the transit of drugs through Costa Rica aimed for U.S. markets. Objectives include reducing the flow of illicit narcotics through Costa Rica, enhancing the effectiveness of the criminal justice system, reducing the use of Costa Rica as a money laundering center; and supporting efforts to locate and destroy marijuana fields. Specific objectives include implementation of the bilateral Maritime Agreement; enhancing interdiction of drug shipments in tractor-trailers through supporting facilities upgrades and training personnel at the northern border crossing of Penas Blancas; enhancing the ability of the Air Section of the Public Security Ministry to respond to illicit drug activities by providing equipment and technical training; improving law enforcement capacity through providing specialized training and equipment to the Judicial Investigation Police Narcotics Section, the Drug Control Police, Joint Counternarcotics Intelligence Center (CICAD), and the Customs Control Police; and increasing public awareness of dangers posed by drug use through assistance to Costa Rican demand reduction programs and initiatives.

A U.S.Customs (USCS) training team traveled to Costa Rica during January 1999 to provide on-the-job land border interdiction training for the Costa Rican drug control police and Customs officers. In addition, two USCS experts conducted an assessment of the Penas Blancas port of entry along the Costa Rica/Nicaragua border. The experts provided the U.S.Embassy with a model and recommendations for infrastructure improvements to the port facilities and enhanced border control.

Costa Rica is one of seven countries participating in the U.S.Customs Americas Counter Smuggling Initiative (ACSI). This initiative seeks to assist GOCR law enforcement agencies to improve their counternarcotics effectiveness and develop industry partnerships with the private sector. U.S.Customs ACSI teams were deployed to Costa Rica on several occasions during 1999 for periods of 2-4 weeks.

Bilateral Cooperation. The USG sponsored numerous technical assistance and training projects in which Costa Rican officials participated during 1999, including GOCR participation in regional toxicology and demand reduction seminars; a regional auto theft seminar; and a training seminar on precursor chemicals. An 82-foot U.S.Coast Guard cutter was transferred to Costa Rica in December. The USCG completed a needs assessment and site survey of the Costa Rican Coast Guard and provided formal recommendations to the GOCR on actions required to bring its fleet to a sustainable, fully operational status. The site survey was followed by deployment of USCG Mobile Training Teams to train Costa Rican Coast Guard personnel in maintenance, logistics, repairs and other essentials as part of the cutter transfer package. A USCG liaison position was established to provide training and support. In addition to the Central Skies joint operations previously mentioned, DOD funded a two-week deployment of the 9th Special Operations squadron for joint exercises with the Air Service and a seven week counternarcotics training support deployment with members of Costa Rica's Interagency Counterdrug Task Force.

The Road Ahead. USG-GOCR cooperation will intensify as we move to implement the Maritime Counterdrug Agreement and increase Costa Rica's ability to engage in the contemplated joint operations. The United States seeks to improve GOCR capabilities to curtail the use of Costa Rica as a narcotics transshipment and temporary storage area, discourage drug consumption, and fight money laundering. The GOCR needs to develop an effective asset forfeiture procedure to facilitate Law Enforcement Efforts. The USG will cooperate with the GOCR in its efforts to professionalize its public security forces and implement the strict controls enacted against money laundering in 1998.

Canada, Mexico, and Central America Continued

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