VZCZCXYZ0015
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHNC #0940/01 3371418
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 021418Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY NICOSIA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9380
INFO RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC
RUEATRS/TREASURY DEPT WASHDC
RUEABND/DEA HQS WASHDC

UNCLAS NICOSIA 000940 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR INL (JLYLE) AND EUR/SE 
JUSTICE FOR OIA, AFMLS, AND NDDS 
TREASURY FOR FINCEN 
DEA FOR OILS AND OFFICE OF DIVERSION CONTROL 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SNAR CY
SUBJECT: CYPRUS: 2008-2009 INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL STRATEGY 
REPORT (INCSR) PART I, DRUGS AND CHEMICAL CONTROL (EUR, SCA) 
 
REF: STATE 100992 
 
¶1.  Per Reftel request, Post submits in para 2 below Part I (Drugs 
and Chemical Control) of the 2008-2009 INCSR.  The report is based 
on an update of last year's published version. 
 
¶2.  BEGIN TEXT 
 
INCSR PART I 
 
Cyprus 
 
¶I.  Summary 
 
Cyprus has been divided since the Turkish military intervention of 
1974, following a coup d'etat directed from Greece.  Since then, the 
southern part of the country has been under the control of the 
Government of the Republic of Cyprus.  The northern part is 
controlled by a Turkish Cypriot administration that in 1983 
proclaimed itself the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)," 
recognized only by Turkey.  The USG recognizes only the Government 
of the Republic of Cyprus and does not recognize the "TRNC."   This 
report refers to the Government-controlled area unless otherwise 
specified. 
 
Although Cypriots do not produce or consume significant amounts of 
narcotics, an increase in local drug use continues to be a concern. 
The Government of Cyprus traditionally has had a low tolerance 
toward any use of narcotics by Cypriots and continues to employ a 
public affairs campaign to remind Cypriots that narcotics use 
carries heavy costs, and users risk stiff criminal penalties. 
Cyprus' geographic location and its decision to opt for free ports 
at its two main seaports continue to make it an ideal transit 
country for legitimate trade in most goods, including chemicals, 
between the Middle East and Europe.  To a limited extent, drug 
traffickers use Cyprus as a transshipment point due to its strategic 
location and its relatively sophisticated business and 
communications infrastructure.  Cyprus monitors the import and 
export of dual-use precursor chemicals for local markets.  Cyprus 
customs authorities have implemented changes to their inspection 
procedures, including computerized profiling and expanded use of 
technical screening devices to deter those who would attempt to use 
Cyprus free ports for narcotics smuggling.  A party to the 1988 UN 
Drug Convention, Cyprus strictly enforces tough counternarcotics 
laws, and its police and customs authorities maintain excellent 
relations with their counterparts in the USG and other governments. 
 
II.  Status of Country 
 
Cypriots themselves do not produce or consume significant quantities 
of drugs.  The island's strategic location in the eastern 
Mediterranean creates an unavoidable liability for Cyprus, as Cyprus 
is a convenient stopover for narcotics traffickers moving from 
Southwest Asia to Europe.  Precursor chemicals are believed to 
transit Cyprus in limited quantities, although there is no hard 
evidence that they are diverted for illegal use.  Cyprus offers 
relatively highly developed business and tourism facilities, a 
modern telecommunications system, and the ninth-largest merchant 
shipping fleet in the world.  This year has seen approximately USD 
1,500,000 worth of illegal narcotics proceeds frozen in several bank 
accounts. 
 
Drug-related crime, still low by international standards, has been 
steadily rising since the 1980's.  According to the Justice 
Ministry, drug related arrests and convictions in Cyprus have 
doubled since 1998.  Cypriot law calls for a maximum prison term of 
two years for drug users less than 25 years of age with no prior 
police record.  Since late 2005, Courts have been refering most 
first-time offenders to rehabilitation centers rather than requiring 
incarceration. Sentences for drug traffickers range from four years 
to life, depending on the substances involved and the offender's 
criminal record.  In an effort to reduce recidivism as well as to 
act as a deterrent for would-be offenders, Cypriot courts have begun 
sentencing distributors to near maximum prison terms as allowed by 
law.  For example, in the second half of 2004, the Cypriot Courts 
began sentencing individuals charged with distributing heroin and 
Ecstasy (MDMA) to much harsher sentences, ranging from 8 to 15 
years.  Cypriot law allows for the confiscation of drug-related 
assets as well as the freezing of profits, and a special 
investigation of a suspect's financial records. 
 
Cyprus's small population of soft-core drug users continues to grow. 
 Cannabis is the most commonly used drug, followed by heroin, 
cocaine, and MDMA (Ecstasy), which are available in major towns. 
Reports of narcotics overdoses in 2008 were as follows: eleven 
 
confirmed drug related deaths.  Of the deaths, ten were the results 
of an overdose; one death was indirectly related to drugs.  The 
number of overdose/drug-related deaths decreased by five as compared 
to 2007.  The use of cannabis and Ecstasy by young Cypriots and 
tourists continues to increase. 
 
The Government of Cyprus has traditionally had low tolerance toward 
any use of narcotics by Cypriots and uses a pro-active public 
relations strategy to remind Cypriots that narcotics use carries 
heavy penalties.  The media reports extensively whenever narcotics 
arrests are made.  The Republic of Cyprus has no working relations 
with enforcement authorities in the area administered by Turkish 
Cypriots.  The US Embassy in Nicosia, particularly the DEA, works 
with the Turkish Cypriot community on international 
narcotics-related issues.  Turkish Cypriots have their own law 
enforcement organization responsible for the investigation of all 
narcotics-related matters.  They have shown a willingness to pursue 
narcotics traffickers and to provide assistance when asked to do so 
by foreign law enforcement authorities. 
 
III.  Country Actions Against Drugs in 2008 
 
Policy Initiatives. 
 
In May 2004, Cyprus became a member of the European Union (EU). 
Prior to its accession into the EU, Cyprus implemented all the 
necessary requirements to comply with EU regulations.  To meet EU 
regulations, Cyprus established the Anti-Drug Council, which is 
responsible for national drug strategies and programs.  The Council 
is chaired by the Health Minister and is composed of heads of key 
agencies with an active role in the fight against drugs.  They are 
appointed by the Council of Ministers for a period of three years. 
The Council acts as a liaison between the Republic of Cyprus and 
other foreign organizations concerning drug related issues, as well 
as having the responsibility for promoting legislative or any other 
measures in an attempt to effectively counter the use and 
dissemination of drugs.  Moreover, the Cyprus Anti-Drug Council is 
the responsible body for the strategic development and 
implementation of the National Drugs Strategy and the National 
Action Plan on Drugs aligned with the EU Drugs Strategy.  In 
connection with EU entry, Cypriot authorities also established the 
Cyprus Police European Union and International Police Co-operation 
Directorate, which replaces a similar operational unit established 
in 2002.  The Directorate is responsible for cooperating with 
foreign liaison officers appointed to Cyprus, including the US Drug 
Enforcement Administration (DEA), Nicosia Country Office (NCO), as 
well as Cypriot liaison officers appointed abroad. 
 
The Cyprus Police, Drug Law Enforcement Unit, (DLEU) is the lead 
police agency in Cyprus charged with combating drug trafficking in 
Cyprus.  The DLEU hosts weekly meetings attended by foreign liaison 
officers from the United States (DEA), Greece, United Kingdom, 
Russia, France and Sovereign Base Areas (UK) assigned to Cyprus and 
regional liaison officers not resident in Cyprus from Australia, 
Canada, Germany, and Italy with reporting responsibilities for 
Cyprus.  In 2007, DLEU's budget increased slightly which helped 
support continuing training for its members in combating drug 
trafficking.  The appointment of a new DLEU commander in 2006 has 
improved morale as well as arrest and seizure statistics.  In late 
October 2006, the DEA Office of International Training conducted an 
Asset Forfeiture Training conference in Nicosia, which was attended 
by more that forty law enforcement personnel.  In 2004, Cyprus 
established two new centers for the detoxification and 
rehabilitation of drug addicts.  A new law enacted in Cyprus 
provides judges with the discretion to send convicted drug addicts 
to jail or to one of these centers under certain conditions. 
 
Law Enforcement Efforts.  Cyprus aggressively pursues drug seizures, 
arrests, and prosecutions for drug violations.  Cyprus focuses on 
major traffickers when cases subject to their jurisdiction permit 
them to, and readily supports the international community in efforts 
against the narcotics trade. 
 
Cypriot police are generally effective in their law enforcement 
efforts, although their techniques and capacity remain restricted by 
tight budgets.  Nevertheless, US-Cyprus cooperation is excellent and 
has yielded important results in several narcotics-related cases. 
Through the first eleven months of 2008, the Cyprus Police Drug Law 
Enforcement Unit opened 611 cases and made 761 arrests, an increase 
of 136 and 33, respectively, from last year.  Of those arrested 527 
were Cypriots and 201 were foreign nationals.  DLEU seized 
approximately 305 kgs of cannabis, 628 cannabis plants, 26 kgs of 
cannabis resin (hashish), 15 kgs of cocaine, 5,466 tablets of MDMA 
(Ecstasy), 1.2 grams of amphetamines, 106.52 grams of opium, 2.5 kgs 
of heroin, and 25 tablets of methadone. 
 
 
Area administered by Turkish Cypriots: The "Narcotics and 
Trafficking Prevention Bureau" functions directly under the "General 
Police Headquarters."  From January to November 2008, the Turkish 
Cypriot "authorities" arrested 207 individuals for narcotics 
offenses and seized 1 kg of hashish, 5 kg of heroin, 111 grams of 
cocaine, 634 kg of opium, 353 cannabis plants, 6873 tablets of 
Ecstasy.  Overall, with the exception of Heroin, the "police" report 
a decline in drug seizures. 
 
Corruption.  As a matter of government policy, Cypriot officials do 
not facilitate the production, processing, or shipment of drugs, or 
the laundering of the proceeds of illegal drug transactions in 
either the Government-controlled area or the area administered by 
Turkish Cypriots.  There is some evidence, however, that Turkish 
Cypriot "Customs" has facilitated the import of illegal goods and 
regularly accepts bribes allowing importers to avoid paying import 
duties. 
 
Agreements and Treaties.  Cyprus is a party to the 1988 UN Drug 
Convention, the 1961 Single Convention as amended by the 1972 
Protocol, and the 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances. 
Cyprus is a party to the UN Convention against Transnational 
Organized Crime and its three protocols, and has signed but has not 
yet ratified the UN Convention against Corruption.  An extradition 
treaty between the United States and Cyprus entered into force in 
September 1999.  A mutual legal assistance treaty (MLAT) between the 
United States and Cyprus entered into force on September 18, 2002. 
Cyprus also became a member of the EU in May 2004. 
 
Area administered by Turkish Cypriots: In 1990, a protocol regarding 
cooperation in the fields of security, trafficking of narcotics and 
psychotropic materials, battling terrorism, technical education and 
social relations was signed between the "TRNC" and the Republic of 
Turkey.  The "TRNC" has no other agreements in this field as Turkey 
is the only country that recognizes it. 
 
Cultivation/Production.  Cannabis is the only illicit substance 
cultivated in Cyprus, and it is grown only in small quantities for 
local consumption.  The Cypriot authorities vigorously pursue 
illegal cultivation.  The police seized 628 cannabis plants in the 
first 11 months of 2008. 
 
Area administered by Turkish Cypriots: The import/export, sale, 
distribution, possession or cultivation of narcotics is viewed as a 
serious offense and sentences of up to 15 to 20 years are not 
unusual.  There have been no reports of large-scale cultivation of 
narcotics, although some individuals have planted cannabis for 
personal use.  The "police" seized 353 cannabis plants during the 
first eleven months of 2008. 
 
Drug Flow/Transit.  Although Cyprus is no longer considered a 
significant transit point for drugs, there were several cases of 
narcotics smuggling in the past year.  Cypriot law enforcement 
authorities continued to cooperate with the DEA office in Nicosia on 
several international investigations initiated during 2008.  Tourism 
to Cyprus is sometimes accompanied by the import of narcotics, 
principally Ecstasy and cannabis.  This year, arrests of Cypriots 
for possession of narcotics with intent to distribute were higher 
than the number of arrests of non-Cypriots on similar charges, 
suggesting Cyprus might be becoming a target market for domestic 
traffickers. 
 
There is no production of precursor chemicals in Cyprus, nor is 
there any indication of illicit diversion.  Dual-use precursor 
chemicals manufactured in Europe do transit Cyprus to third 
countries.  Such cargoes are unlikely to be inspected if they are 
manifested as goods in transit.  The Cyprus Customs Service no 
longer has the responsibility of receiving manifests of transit 
goods through Cyprus.  This responsibility now rests with the Cyprus 
Ports Authority.  Goods in transit entering the Cypriot free ports 
of Limassol and Larnaca can be legally re-exported using different 
transit documents, as long as there is no change in the description 
of the goods transported.  Since these goods do not enter the 
customs area of Cyprus, they would only be inspected by Cypriot 
authorities if there were good intelligence to justify such an 
inspection. 
 
Area administered by Turkish Cypriots: The majority of hashish 
seized comes from Turkey, whereas heroin comes from Afghanistan by 
way of refineries in Pakistan, Iran, and Turkey.  Ecstasy and 
cocaine come from Turkey, England and South America, respectively. 
The preferred method of smuggling illegal narcotics is through 
concealed compartments of vehicles or through containers in Cargo 
Ships which have originated from South Africa. 
 
 
Domestic Programs (Demand Reduction).  Cyprus actively promotes 
demand-reduction programs through the school system and through 
social organizations.  Drug abuse remains relatively rare in Cyprus. 
 Marijuana is the most commonly encountered drug, followed by 
heroin, cocaine, and Ecstasy, all of which are available in most 
major towns.  Users consist primarily of young people and tourists. 
Recent increases in drug use have prompted the Government to promote 
demand reduction programs actively through the school system and 
social organizations, with occasional participation from the DEA 
office in Nicosia.  Drug treatment is available. 
 
Area administered by Turkish Cypriots: The Turkish Cypriot community 
has introduced several demand reduction programs, including regular 
seminars on drug abuse education for school counselors and 
teachers. 
 
IV.  US Policy Initiatives and Programs 
 
Policy Initiatives.  The US Embassy in Cyprus, through the regional 
DEA office, works closely with the Cypriot police force to 
coordinate international narcotics investigations and evaluate local 
narcotics trends.  Utilizing its own regional presence, DEA assists 
the new coordination unit in establishing strong working 
relationships with counterparts in the region.  DEA also works 
directly with Cypriot customs, in particular, on development and 
implementation of programs to ensure closer inspection and 
interdiction of transit containers. 
 
The Road Ahead.  The USG enjoys close cooperation with the Cypriot 
Office of the Attorney General, the Central Bank, the Cyprus Police, 
and the Customs Authority in drug enforcement and anti-money 
laundering efforts.  In 2008, the USG continues to work with the 
Government of Cyprus to strengthen enforcement of existing 
counternarcotics laws and enhance Cypriot participation in regional 
counternarcotics efforts.  DEA regularly provides information and 
insight to the GOC on ways to strengthen counternarcotics efforts. 
New laws to empower members of the Drug Law Enforcement Unit in 
their fight against drug traffickers are currently before 
Parliament. 
 
END TEXT 
 
URBANCIC