Law enforcement agencies also noted an increase in the flow of heroin and cocaine from Russia through Belarus to Western Europe in 1996. In addition, there has been an increase in incidents of drug smuggling to Poland and Germany as a result of the customs union that eliminated internal borders between Belarus and Russia. Drug-related crime is also rising. The Ministry of Internal Affairs estimates that 2.1 percent of all crimes are drug-related. In addition, there is some cultivation of opium poppy in Belarus, although the extent is not known.
Health authorities believe that such transit trade is fueling a domestic drug market.
According to the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Interior, there has been an annual increase in the number of registered drug addicts. Some officials believe that the increase in HIV in some cities such as Svetlogorsk is linked to the drug situation. Most Belarusian addicts use products made of opium poppy, oil poppy or cannabis. However, they are also using synthetic drugs such as ecstasy, heroin, cocaine, barbiturates, and other drugs in increasing amounts. The large chemical industry in Belarus is vulnerable to the illicit drug industry.