The extent of drug transshipment, consumption, and money laundering is largely an unknown, reflecting a lack of strategic analysis and tactical cooperation among enforcement agencies. The government is actively opposed to drug trafficking and to the sale and consumption of illegal narcotics within the country. Argentina is a party to the 1988 UN Convention. Police and security forces are active in the fight against narcotics. In recent years, police authorities have made seizures of significantly larger drug shipments from major regional narcotics producing countries.
Argentine legislation prohibits diversion of precursor chemicals, but actual controls are weak.
Government counternarcotics efforts, both in law enforcement and demand reduction, are hampered by restricted budgets and institutional weaknesses. Cooperation with USG authorities continues to be excellent. Money laundering is a criminal offense when explicitly linked to narcotics activity. In December 1995, the Argentine government hosted the Summit of the Americas money laundering ministerial which was chaired by U.S. Treasury Secretary Rubin. Status of Country Argentina is not a major drug producing or drug transshipment country.