Korea, North
for years, from the 1970s into the 2000s, citizens of
the Democratic People's Republic of (North) Korea (DPRK), many of
them diplomatic employees of the government, were apprehended abroad
while trafficking in narcotics, including two in Turkey in December
2004; police investigations in Taiwan and Japan in recent years have
linked North Korea to large illicit shipments of heroin and
methamphetamine, including an attempt by the North Korean merchant
ship Pong Su to deliver 150 kg of heroin to Australia in April 2003
Kyrgyzstan
limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy
for CIS markets; limited government eradication of illicit crops;
transit point for Southwest Asian narcotics bound for Russia and the
rest of Europe; major consumer of opiates
Laos
estimated opium poppy cultivation in 2008 was 1,900 hectares,
about a 73% increase from 2007; estimated potential opium production
in 2008 more than tripled to 17 metric tons; unsubstantiated reports
of domestic methamphetamine production; growing domestic
methamphetamine problem (2007)
Latvia
transshipment and destination point for cocaine, synthetic
drugs, opiates, and cannabis from Southwest Asia, Western Europe,
Latin America, and neighboring Balkan countries; despite improved
legislation, vulnerable to money laundering due to nascent
enforcement capabilities and comparatively weak regulation of
offshore companies and the gaming industry; CIS organized crime
(including counterfeiting, corruption, extortion, stolen cars, and
prostitution) accounts for most laundered proceeds
Lebanon
cannabis cultivation dramatically reduced to 2,500 hectares
in 2002 despite continued significant cannabis consumption; opium
poppy cultivation minimal; small amounts of Latin American cocaine
and Southwest Asian heroin transit country on way to European
markets and for Middle Eastern consumption; money laundering of drug
proceeds fuels concern that extremists are benefiting from drug
trafficking
Liberia
transshipment point for Southeast and Southwest Asian heroin
and South American cocaine for the European and US markets;
corruption, criminal activity, arms-dealing, and diamond trade
provide significant potential for money laundering, but the lack of
well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a
major money-laundering center
Liechtenstein
has strengthened money laundering controls, but money
laundering remains a concern due to Liechtenstein's sophisticated
offshore financial services sector
Lithuania
transshipment and destination point for cannabis, cocaine,
ecstasy, and opiates from Southwest Asia, Latin America, Western
Europe, and neighboring Baltic countries; growing production of
high-quality amphetamines, but limited production of cannabis,
methamphetamines; susceptible to money laundering despite changes to
banking legislation
Macau
transshipment point for drugs going into mainland China;
consumer of opiates and amphetamines
Macedonia
major transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and
hashish; minor transit point for South American cocaine destined for
Europe; although not a financial center and most criminal activity
is thought to be domestic, money laundering is a problem due to a
mostly cash-based economy and weak enforcement