VZCZCXRO1183
RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN
RUEHLZ RUEHNP RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHSL #0527/01 3191345
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 141345Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY BRATISLAVA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2094
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEABND/DEA WASHDC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 BRATISLAVA 000527 
 
SIPDIS 
 
INR FOR JOHN LYLE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SNAR LO
SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA: 2008-2009 INCSR PART 1 
 
REF: SECSTATE 100992 
 
¶1. Post's submission for the "2008-2009 International 
Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) Part I, Drugs and 
Chemical Control," follows in paragraph 2. This report 
includes statistical information on seizures for the calendar 
year 2007. If information for the year 2008 becomes available 
in time, an updated submission will be sent before January 
30, 2009. POC for the INCSR, Part 1 in Slovakia is Fascell 
Fellow Aaron Chase. Telephone  421 918 553 376, email 
ChaseAU@state.gov. 
 
¶2. 
¶I. Summary 
 
Slovakia is a party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention. Slovakia 
is not a major exporter of drugs. Cannabis and synthetic 
drugs are mostly produced locally for the domestic market and 
are mostly distributed outside the ambit of organized crime. 
Cocaine and heroin are imported by organized criminal groups. 
 
 
Synthetic drugs, including methamphetamine, pervitin (MDMA), 
and mCPP are of the most concern to Slovak authorities as 
they are popular among youth and can result in severe health 
and social problems for users. Slovak Police reported 
significantly higher seizures of wet cannabis, pervitin, and 
psiocin (psychotropic mushrooms) in calendar year 2007 as 
compared to 2006. 
 
II. Status of Country 
 
Interest in synthetic drugs, especially pervitin and Ecstasy, 
has driven an increase in local processing and production, as 
well as in the trade of precursors including ephedrine and 
pharmaceuticals from which ephedrine can be extracted. Slovak 
authorities attribute the rising interest in synthetic drugs 
to their low price, accessibility and the greater effect they 
provide in comparison to more traditional stimulants such as 
cocaine. 
 
Cannabis is the most commonly abused narcotic in Slovakia. 
Local cannabis production is on the increase, especially 
hydroponically grown cannabis with sharply increased THC 
content. Police believe consumer interest in hydroponically 
grown cannabis, attributable to experience with higher-THC 
varieties imported from Western Europe, has driven growth in 
this sector. 
 
Officials report the market for heroin and cocaine is 
saturated. Supplies remain high and prices historically low 
despite the seizure of nearly three times as much cocaine in 
2007 as compared to 2006. Authorities believe heroin is 
usually imported from the Balkans by organized groups of 
ethnic-Albanian criminals, working in concert with 
ethnic-Turkish groups that move it from points of production. 
The same ethnic-Albanian groups largely control the trade in 
cocaine, which is usually of South American or Caribbean 
origin. 
 
For all drugs, regional differentiation in consumption is 
diminishing. Pricier narcotics, including cocaine and heroin, 
remain modestly more prevalent in the wealthier west, but 
officials describe narcotics use generally as a concern 
across the whole territory. 
 
III. Country Actions Against Drugs in 2007 
 
- Policy Initiatives 
In 2005, the National Program for the Fight against Drugs 
2005-2008 was adapted into actions plans for relevant 
ministries and regional authorities in accordance with the 
"Action Plan of the EU for the Fight Against Drugs." At the 
same time, the Slovak Republic Government Office issued an 
instruction setting out the activities of regional 
authorities in the field of narcotics, and unifying 
procedures for establishing regional coordination commissions 
for narcotics issues. County Councils were abolished as from 
October 1, 2007, and their duties and functions were 
delegated to district councils, which are organized according 
to the same geographic areas but which are appointed by 
provincial self-governments. 
 
- Law Enforcement Efforts 
The valid Penal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure became 
effective January 1, 2006. Sections 171 and 135 of the Penal 
Code set a maximum sentence of three years incarceration for 
possession of up to three doses of any narcotic substance, 
and up to five years for possession of 4-10 doses. Possession 
of more than 10 doses is considered possession for other than 
 
BRATISLAVA 00000527  002 OF 004 
 
 
personal consumption and is punishable by 10-15 years 
imprisonment. 
 
In calendar year 2007, Slovak authorities pursued 2,390 
criminal cases involving illegal narcotics. 
 
Heroin - 212 cases involving seizure of 2,150.23 g of powder, 
and 49 cases involving seizure of 12.84 ml of solution. 
 
Cannabis - 1,257 cases involving seizure of 166.12 kg of dry 
herbs, 8 cases involving seizure of 154.04 kg of wet herbs, 
and 32 cases involving seizure of 468.93 g of hashish. 
 
Cocaine - 15 cases involving seizure of 278.36 g of powder. 
 
Methamphetamines - 677 cases involving seizure of 1,333.05 g 
of powder, and 24 cases involving seizure of 6.17 ml of 
solution. 
 
MDMA - 44 cases involving seizure of 1,464 tablets, and 1 
case involving seizure of 0.32 g of powder. 
 
mCPP - 2 cases involving seizure of 2 tablets, and 1 case 
involving seizure of 0.32 g of powder. 
 
Amphetamine - 1 case involving seizure of 9 tablets, and 3 
cases involving seizure of 1.57 g of powder. 
 
Psilocin (mushrooms) - 8 cases involving seizure of 39.83 g 
of mushrooms. 
 
Ephedrine - 13 cases involving seizure of 11,108 tablets. 
 
Pseudoephedrine - 20 cases involving seizure of 35.13 g of 
powder, and 1 case involving seizure of 3 ml of solution. 
 
Flunitrazepam - 1 case involving the seizure of 1 ml of 
solution. 
 
Diazepam - 15 cases involving seizure of 372 tablets, and 1 
case involving seizure of 3 ml of solution. 
 
Bromazepam - 2 cases involving seizure of 2 tablets. 
 
Etylmorphin - 1 case involving seizure of 1 tablet. 
 
Zoldipem - 4 cases involving seizure of 100 tablets. 
 
Morphine - 2 cases involving seizure of 12 tablets. 
 
2C-B - 1 case involving the seizure  of 1 tablet. 
 
Midazolam - 1 case involving the seizure of 1 tablet. 
 
Temazepam - 1 case involving the seizure of 58 tablets. 
 
LSD - 1 case involving the seizure of 1 dose. 
 
Pentazocine - 2 cases involving seizure of 4 tablets, and 1 
case involving the seizure of 3.07 g of powder. 
 
Klonazepam - 3 cases involving seizure of 26 tablets. 
 
Buprenorphine - 3 cases involving seizure of 16 tablets. 
 
Oxycodon - 1 case involving the seizure of 7 tablets. 
 
Diphenoxylate - 1 case involving the seizure of 6 tablets. 
 
- Corruption 
As a matter of policy and by all accounts in practice, the 
Government of Slovakia does not encourage or facilitate 
illicit production or distribution of narcotic or 
psychotropic drugs or other controlled substances, or the 
laundering of proceeds from illegal drug transactions. 
Corruption more generally, however, remains a concern in both 
the public and private spheres. 
 
Agreements and Treaties. Slovakia is a party to the 1988 UN 
Drug Convention; the 1961 UN Single Convention on Narcotic 
Drugs, as amended by the 1972 Protocol; the 1971 UN 
Convention on Psychotropic Substances; and the UN Convention 
against Transnational Organized Crime and its three 
protocols. Slovakia ratified the 2003 UN Corruption 
Convention on June 1, 2006. 
 
In conjunction with Slovakia's accession to the European 
Union in 2004, Slovakia implemented the following acts of the 
European institutions in national legislation: 
 
 
BRATISLAVA 00000527  003 OF 004 
 
 
Council Framework Decision 2004/757/JAI of 25 October 2004 
laying down minimum provisions on the constituent elements of 
criminal acts and penalties in the field of illicit drug 
trafficking; 
 
Regulation (EC) No 273/2004 of the European Parliament and of 
the Council of 11 February 2004 on drug precursors; 
 
Council Regulation (EEC) No 111/2005 of 22 December 2004 
laying down rules for the monitoring of trade in drug 
precursors between the Community and third countries; 
 
Commission Regulation (EC) No 1277/2005 of 27 July 2005 
laying down implementing rules for Regulation (EC) No 
273/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council on 
drug precursors and for Council Regulation (EC) No 111/2005 
laying down rules for the monitoring of trade between the 
Community and third countries in drug precursors 
 
Council Decision 2005/387/JHA of 10 May 2005 on the 
information exchange, risk-assessment and control of new 
psychoactive substances 
 
2001/419/JHA: Council Decision of 28 May 2001 on the 
transmission of samples of controlled substances 
 
- Cultivation/Production 
Cannabis is increasingly cultivated in laboratory conditions 
as a "hydroponic crop." Under such conditions, it is possible 
to cultivate and harvest multiple crops of cannabis with 
elevated tetrahydrocanabinol (THC) each year. Seeds are 
mainly imported from the Netherlands, although authorities 
report increasing cases of cannabis grown from locally 
produced, high-quality hybrids. Cannabis was mainly grown in 
family homes and rented commercial properties. Slovak 
authorities report that a small but increasing portion of the 
locally produced cannabis crop is exported. 
 
Over the last 4 years, methamphetamine production and use has 
steadily increased in Slovakia. It is now the second most 
prevalent drug after cannabis. Slovak authorities believe the 
increase in production is driven by increasing domestic 
demand. 
 
Pervitin, produced from ephedrine and/or pseudoephedrine, is 
produced in special "laboratories," which produce bulk 
amounts of a high quality, and in small "kitchen labs". 
Although the "kitchen labs" produce a lower quality product 
less efficiently, authorities believe they were more popular 
with suppliers for their low start-up costs and ease of 
transport. Slovak-made pervitin was found on the Hungarian 
and Austrian markets. The precursor for its production, in a 
powder form, was mainly imported from the Czech Republic. 
Precursors in the form of tablets, was mainly imported from 
Hungary and Turkey. Locally available OTC medicines, as well 
as OTC imports from Hungary and Austria, were also used for 
the production of pervitin. Slovak authorities concluded that 
Modafen, Nurofen and Clarinase were the most commonly abused, 
domestically available OTC inputs. As of January 1st, 2008, 
there were 8 OTC medicines containing ephedrine or 
pseudoephedrine available in the Slovak Republic. 
 
Slovak authorities report that producers and dealers of 
pervitin usually dealt in small quantities, and rarely 
appeared to be associated with organized criminal groups. In 
most cases, ecstasy and pervitin were distributed 
concurrently by the same actors, mainly at discos or cultural 
events catering to young adults. 
 
In response to profit motives and fears of prosecution, 
Slovak producers continue to develop and experiment with new 
types of psychotropic and narcotic substances of synthetic 
origin. "mCPP", a drug with similar effects to ecstasy, has 
been produced and available in Slovakia since 2006. It is 
sold in the tablet form at a very low price to appeal to 
individuals with lower incomes, notably high school and 
university students. Until November 1, 2007, mCPP was not 
included on the list of the controlled substances and its 
import was not criminal. mCPP is now on the list of 
controlled substances and, like other narcotics and 
psychotropic substances, its import, export, production and 
distribution are criminal offenses. 
 
Hallucinogens, including LSD, magic mushrooms, and datura 
were consumed sporadically by youth and there was no 
organized market for these drugs. Hashish was mainly imported 
by tourists from countries including Spain and Egypt. 
 
Drug flow/Transit. Foreign criminal groups with local 
contacts, especially ethnic-Albanian and Turkish groups, are 
 
BRATISLAVA 00000527  004 OF 004 
 
 
thought to be responsible for most of the imports and 
transshipments of heroin (from Central Asia), and cocaine 
from South America and Africa. Slovak Customs officials 
believe that many narcotics once transshipped through 
Slovakia from Ukraine are now diverted north or south due to 
the intensely protected border. U.S. donations of training 
and equipment are partially credited for this trend. 
 
Domestic Programs (Demand Reduction). The National Program 
for the Fight against Drugs (NPFD) 2004-2008 is primarily 
directed at activities to reduce drug demand. The National 
Strategy also defines key ministries for the implementation 
of prevention, including the Ministry of Education, Ministry 
of Health and Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Family. 
Drug-use prevention is an integral part of the education 
process at schools. Positions for Drug Prevention 
Coordinators have been created at many schools, and 
Pedagogical and Psychological Counseling Centers have been 
established in each district. Since 2006, these centers have 
included programs that focus preventing social pathologies 
related to drug use, training courses for peer activists, 
teacher training, and methodological assistance to school 
psychologists and educational counselors. 
 
IV. U.S. Policy Initiatives and Programs 
 
Bilateral cooperation. The Regional DEA Office in Vienna 
shares information with the Slovak Police Presidium on 
operational issues of mutual interest, and has offered 
training for Slovak counterparts in the past. 
 
Road Ahead. The U.S. will continue to work with the 
Government of Slovakia to fight drug transit through Slovakia 
and to assist with drug treatment as appropriate. 
OBSITNIK