The Balkan route is the most important supply route for transporting large quantities of heroin through Germany. Most of the heroin seized in Germany arrived via Turkey on its way to other destinations. Turkish nationals play by far the most important role in heroin trafficking, but during 1996, individuals from Eastern Europe became more prominent. West African international traffickers increasingly are using white couriers. Cocaine transits Germany from Colombia via Germany's principal airports.
Authorities seize most synthetic drugs and cannabis at the border with the Netherlands.
Authorities made the largest single seizure of marijuana, however, at Frankfurt airport on a flight that originated in Bangkok. US Policy Initiatives and Programs US and German law enforcement agencies cooperate closely and extensively. During the year, the Internal Revenue Service presented money laundering and exchange of information seminars to law enforcement, customs, and tax officials of the former East Germany. The IRS conducted seminars in Erfurt, Dresden, and Magdeburg to improve money laundering investigations in the new German states. In August, the IRS established a position for an IRS special agent at the US Consulate in Frankfurt charged with implementing joint efforts with the German authorities on money laundering and criminal tax investigations.