SLOVAKS spend around Sk4.6 billion (€117.9 million) on illegal drugs per year according to an analysis carried out by the Spanish company ECO, Hospodárske noviny daily wrote.
According to the project's consultant, Barbora Kuchárová, this is a very conservative estimate. She thinks that in reality the amount may be much higher.
Drug addicts alone, especially those addicted to heroin, spend more than Sk2 billion (€51.3 million) per year for drugs. Another Sk2-4 billion is the value of goods that is stolen by the drug users to finance their drug addiction.
However, deputy PM Pál Csáky warned that Slovakia only spends Sk565 million (€14.5 million) on fighting illegal drugs.
According to Slovak police vice-president Jaroslav Spišiak, Albanian drug rings control the major part of the heroin transport from the Balkans up to Scandinavia.
Spišiak said that part of their profits is sent to Kosovo and Albania and they try to launder the rest of the money through establishments such as games rooms, pizza restaurants and betting agencies.
Compiled by Martina Jurinová from press reports
The
Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information
presented in its Flash News postings.
3. Nov 2005 at 9:02
