___________________________________________________
US State Dept Narcotics Report 2012 (introduction):
Angola produces marijuana, known locally as liamba, and is a transit
point for cocaine. Alcohol, liamba and cocaine are the most abused
substances in the country. Though alcohol abuse occurs nationwide, it is
particularly prevalent in the provinces, where there is a serious health
problem with the abuse of homemade alcoholic concoctions that are at
times laced with exotic herbs or battery acid. Officials reported that the
majority of marijuana users are between the ages of 18 and 48 years old
and either students or unemployed. Cocaine is largely consumed in the
night-clubs of Luanda by the wealthy elite.
As a matter of government policy, the Government of Angola does not
encourage or facilitate illicit production or distribution of narcotics and
psychotropic substances, nor does it encourage or facilitate the
laundering of proceeds from illegal drug transactions. The USG is not
aware of any senior officials engaged in drug trafficking. Angolan
officials have demonstrated a concern for the corrosive effects of
narcotics trafficking and are improving their ability to control trafficking
through the Luanda International Airport. However, seaports continue to
serve as entry points for narcotics from abroad and trafficking from
neighboring countries via the road network remains a challenge.
There is no indication that Angola produces synthetic drugs. Angolan
officials have no capacity to classify and control dual-use chemicals,
which could be diverted in Angola or elsewhere for illicit drug production.
Among the most pressing challenges facing authorities is providing
public health services to drug addicts, and educating youth on the
dangers of drug abuse and addiction. Angola is a party to the 1988 UN
Drug Convention. Angola is a party to the UN Convention Against
Corruption.
The National Directorate for Criminal Investigation (DNIC) reported the
following drug-related crimes from January to September 2011:
• Detained for drug consumption: 1,115 individuals
• Detained for drug trafficking: 115 individuals
• Official statistics for seizures of powder cocaine: 13.5 kg
• Official statistics for seizures for crack cocaine: 2.008 kg
No data was provided for seizures of marijuana or heroin.
DNIC also reported that most detained traffickers in 2011 were Angolan,
but some Brazilian, South African, Nigerian, Portuguese and Congolese
(DRC) nationals were also detained for trafficking in narcotics.
The Inter-Ministerial Committee to Fight Drugs (Comité Interministerial de
Luta Anti-Droga, CILAD) is charged with coordinating the activities of
government ministries to suppress narcotics trafficking and to warn the
population about the dangers of drug abuse. The Ministries of Interior
and Justice have indicated a strong interest in upgrading their
equipment, and have added new canine units to their counternarcotics
strategy.
Angolan officials have made regular public statements noting their
commitment to antidrug efforts. There are numerous billboards in
Luanda and other towns carrying a drug awareness message, although
no active, national media campaign exists. Some NGOs engage in
prevention, demand reduction, and rehabilitation programs. One of the
largest is the Christian Center for Help and Rehabilitation, which
provides drug abuse treatment and rehabilitation services, though its
capacity is far less than the demand.
Angola sends government staff to workshops and meetings in order to
train officials involved in the fight against drug trafficking. Angolan
authorities have established contacts with INTERPOL and now make use
of the I-24/7 INTERPOL tool that allows for the exchange of real-time
intelligence on drug trafficking activities. Angola’s police work closely with
their Brazilian and Portuguese counterparts in combating drug
trafficking. Angola participates in the Southern African Regional Police
Chiefs Cooperation Organization (SARPCCO), which is currently
organizing a joint project with other southern African countries and
South American officials to enhance cooperative efforts against drug
trafficking.
For Full report, click here
_________________________________________________________
US State Dept Trafficking in Persons Report 2011 (introduction):
(Tier 2 Watch List)
Angola is a source and destination country for men, women, and
children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor. Internally,
trafficking victims reportedly are forced to labor in agriculture,
construction, domestic service, and artisanal diamond mines. Angolan
women and children more often become victims of sex trafficking within
Angola rather than in other countries; there are reports of underage
girls, as young as 13, in prostitution in the provinces of Luanda,
Benguela, and Huila. Some Angolan boys are taken to Namibia for
forced labor in cattle herding, as well as forced to act as couriers in the
illegal cross-border trade between Namibia and Angola as part of a
scheme to skirt import fees. Adults in Angola may use children under the
age of 12 for forced criminal activity, since a loophole in the Angolan
justice system prevents youths from being tried in court. Angolan women
and children are subjected to domestic servitude in South Africa, the
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Namibia, and some European
nations, primarily Portugal. Vietnamese, Chinese, and Brazilian women in
prostitution in Angola may also be victims of sex trafficking. Reports
indicate that Chinese, South East Asian, Namibian, and possibly
Congolese migrants are subjected to forced labor in Angola’s
construction industry. Illegal migrants from the DRC voluntarily enter
Angola for work in its diamond-mining districts, where some later
experience conditions of forced labor or forced prostitution in the mining
camps. Trafficking networks recruit and transport Congolese girls, as
young as 12, from Kasai Occidental in the DRC to Angola for various
forms of exploitation.
The Government of Angola does not fully comply with the minimum
standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making
significant efforts to do so. The government did not demonstrate an
increase in its modest anti-trafficking efforts of the previous year. The
government neither amended the penal code to penalize trafficking in
persons nor finalized draft anti-trafficking legislation. It made no efforts
to improve its minimal protection services provided to victims or to raise
awareness of trafficking during the reporting period. The government did
not develop procedures to identify victims of trafficking among
vulnerable populations such as undocumented migrants, and did not
train its law enforcement, social services, or immigration personnel on
this skill. Therefore, Angola is placed on Tier 2 Watch List.
For full report click here
_________________________________________________________
US State Dept Terrorism Report 2009
Angola's borders remained porous and vulnerable to movements of
small arms, diamonds, and other possible sources of terrorist financing.
That said, there is no evidence of a terrorist presence in Angola.
Angola's high rate of U.S. dollar cash flow made its financial system an
attractive site for money laundering, and the government's capacity to
detect financial crimes remained limited. On December 14, however, the
government agreed to allow for the placement of an advisor from the U.
S. Treasury Department in the Angolan Ministry of Finance and Central
Bank. This advisor will help Angola promote transparency in its financial
system. Corruption, lack of infrastructure, and insufficient capacity
continued to hinder Angola's border control and law enforcement
capacities. The government's limited law enforcement resources were
directed towards border control and stemming the flow of illegal
immigrants into the country. In May, the U.S. Treasury Department
designated Kassim Tajideen, an important financial contributor to
Hizballah with extensive business interests in Angola, as a Specially
Designated Global Terrorist under Executive Order 13224.
_________________________________________________________
Links:
Worldwide AML Legislation (International Bar Association)
US State Dept Narcotics Report 2012 (introduction):
Angola produces marijuana, known locally as liamba, and is a transit
point for cocaine. Alcohol, liamba and cocaine are the most abused
substances in the country. Though alcohol abuse occurs nationwide, it is
particularly prevalent in the provinces, where there is a serious health
problem with the abuse of homemade alcoholic concoctions that are at
times laced with exotic herbs or battery acid. Officials reported that the
majority of marijuana users are between the ages of 18 and 48 years old
and either students or unemployed. Cocaine is largely consumed in the
night-clubs of Luanda by the wealthy elite.
As a matter of government policy, the Government of Angola does not
encourage or facilitate illicit production or distribution of narcotics and
psychotropic substances, nor does it encourage or facilitate the
laundering of proceeds from illegal drug transactions. The USG is not
aware of any senior officials engaged in drug trafficking. Angolan
officials have demonstrated a concern for the corrosive effects of
narcotics trafficking and are improving their ability to control trafficking
through the Luanda International Airport. However, seaports continue to
serve as entry points for narcotics from abroad and trafficking from
neighboring countries via the road network remains a challenge.
There is no indication that Angola produces synthetic drugs. Angolan
officials have no capacity to classify and control dual-use chemicals,
which could be diverted in Angola or elsewhere for illicit drug production.
Among the most pressing challenges facing authorities is providing
public health services to drug addicts, and educating youth on the
dangers of drug abuse and addiction. Angola is a party to the 1988 UN
Drug Convention. Angola is a party to the UN Convention Against
Corruption.
The National Directorate for Criminal Investigation (DNIC) reported the
following drug-related crimes from January to September 2011:
• Detained for drug consumption: 1,115 individuals
• Detained for drug trafficking: 115 individuals
• Official statistics for seizures of powder cocaine: 13.5 kg
• Official statistics for seizures for crack cocaine: 2.008 kg
No data was provided for seizures of marijuana or heroin.
DNIC also reported that most detained traffickers in 2011 were Angolan,
but some Brazilian, South African, Nigerian, Portuguese and Congolese
(DRC) nationals were also detained for trafficking in narcotics.
The Inter-Ministerial Committee to Fight Drugs (Comité Interministerial de
Luta Anti-Droga, CILAD) is charged with coordinating the activities of
government ministries to suppress narcotics trafficking and to warn the
population about the dangers of drug abuse. The Ministries of Interior
and Justice have indicated a strong interest in upgrading their
equipment, and have added new canine units to their counternarcotics
strategy.
Angolan officials have made regular public statements noting their
commitment to antidrug efforts. There are numerous billboards in
Luanda and other towns carrying a drug awareness message, although
no active, national media campaign exists. Some NGOs engage in
prevention, demand reduction, and rehabilitation programs. One of the
largest is the Christian Center for Help and Rehabilitation, which
provides drug abuse treatment and rehabilitation services, though its
capacity is far less than the demand.
Angola sends government staff to workshops and meetings in order to
train officials involved in the fight against drug trafficking. Angolan
authorities have established contacts with INTERPOL and now make use
of the I-24/7 INTERPOL tool that allows for the exchange of real-time
intelligence on drug trafficking activities. Angola’s police work closely with
their Brazilian and Portuguese counterparts in combating drug
trafficking. Angola participates in the Southern African Regional Police
Chiefs Cooperation Organization (SARPCCO), which is currently
organizing a joint project with other southern African countries and
South American officials to enhance cooperative efforts against drug
trafficking.
For Full report, click here
_________________________________________________________
US State Dept Trafficking in Persons Report 2011 (introduction):
(Tier 2 Watch List)
Angola is a source and destination country for men, women, and
children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor. Internally,
trafficking victims reportedly are forced to labor in agriculture,
construction, domestic service, and artisanal diamond mines. Angolan
women and children more often become victims of sex trafficking within
Angola rather than in other countries; there are reports of underage
girls, as young as 13, in prostitution in the provinces of Luanda,
Benguela, and Huila. Some Angolan boys are taken to Namibia for
forced labor in cattle herding, as well as forced to act as couriers in the
illegal cross-border trade between Namibia and Angola as part of a
scheme to skirt import fees. Adults in Angola may use children under the
age of 12 for forced criminal activity, since a loophole in the Angolan
justice system prevents youths from being tried in court. Angolan women
and children are subjected to domestic servitude in South Africa, the
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Namibia, and some European
nations, primarily Portugal. Vietnamese, Chinese, and Brazilian women in
prostitution in Angola may also be victims of sex trafficking. Reports
indicate that Chinese, South East Asian, Namibian, and possibly
Congolese migrants are subjected to forced labor in Angola’s
construction industry. Illegal migrants from the DRC voluntarily enter
Angola for work in its diamond-mining districts, where some later
experience conditions of forced labor or forced prostitution in the mining
camps. Trafficking networks recruit and transport Congolese girls, as
young as 12, from Kasai Occidental in the DRC to Angola for various
forms of exploitation.
The Government of Angola does not fully comply with the minimum
standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making
significant efforts to do so. The government did not demonstrate an
increase in its modest anti-trafficking efforts of the previous year. The
government neither amended the penal code to penalize trafficking in
persons nor finalized draft anti-trafficking legislation. It made no efforts
to improve its minimal protection services provided to victims or to raise
awareness of trafficking during the reporting period. The government did
not develop procedures to identify victims of trafficking among
vulnerable populations such as undocumented migrants, and did not
train its law enforcement, social services, or immigration personnel on
this skill. Therefore, Angola is placed on Tier 2 Watch List.
For full report click here
_________________________________________________________
US State Dept Terrorism Report 2009
Angola's borders remained porous and vulnerable to movements of
small arms, diamonds, and other possible sources of terrorist financing.
That said, there is no evidence of a terrorist presence in Angola.
Angola's high rate of U.S. dollar cash flow made its financial system an
attractive site for money laundering, and the government's capacity to
detect financial crimes remained limited. On December 14, however, the
government agreed to allow for the placement of an advisor from the U.
S. Treasury Department in the Angolan Ministry of Finance and Central
Bank. This advisor will help Angola promote transparency in its financial
system. Corruption, lack of infrastructure, and insufficient capacity
continued to hinder Angola's border control and law enforcement
capacities. The government's limited law enforcement resources were
directed towards border control and stemming the flow of illegal
immigrants into the country. In May, the U.S. Treasury Department
designated Kassim Tajideen, an important financial contributor to
Hizballah with extensive business interests in Angola, as a Specially
Designated Global Terrorist under Executive Order 13224.
_________________________________________________________
Links:
Worldwide AML Legislation (International Bar Association)
|
| ANGOLA |
|
FATF Statement re AML Strategic Deficiencies:
Date: 16 February 2012
In June 2010, Angola made a high-level political commitment to
work with the FATF to address its strategic AML/CFT deficiencies.
Since October 2011, Angola has taken steps towards improving
its AML/CFT regime, including by enacting a new AML/CFT Law.
However, the FATF has determined that certain strategic
AML/CFT deficiencies remain. Angola should continue to work on
implementing its action plan to address these deficiencies,
including by: (1) adequately criminalising money laundering and
terrorist financing (Recommendation 1 and Special
Recommendation II); (2) ensuring a fully operational and
effectively functioning Financial Intelligence Unit
(Recommendation 26); and (3) establishing and implementing an
adequate legal framework to identify and freeze terrorist assets
without delay (Special Recommendation III). The FATF
encourages Angola to address its remaining deficiencies and
continue the process of implementing its action plan.
____________________________________________________
Sanctions:
Angola was subject to UN sanctions from 1993 to 2002, during its
civil war.
____________________________________________________
Offshore Jurisdiction Blacklists:
Information unavailable.
____________________________________________________
US State Department Money Laundering Report - 2011:
Angola is not a regional financial center and has not prosecuted
any cases of money laundering. It does not produce significant
quantities of drugs although it continues to be a transit point for
drug trafficking, particularly from drugs brought in from Brazil and
South America destined for Europe. Angola's borders are porous
and vulnerable to movements of small arms, diamonds, human
trafficking and general smuggling. Angola has a high rate of U.S.
dollar cash flow. The laundering of funds derived from widespread
corruption is a concern. A law criminalizing money laundering was
passed in 2010, and is still being implemented. Angola’s capacity
to investigate financial crimes is limited.
DO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS ENGAGE IN CURRENCY
TRANSACTIONS RELATED TO INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS
TRAFFICKING THAT INCLUDE SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF US
CURRENCY; CURRENCY DERIVED FROM ILLEGAL SALES IN
THE U.S.; OR THAT OTHERWISE SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECT THE
U.S.: NO
CRIMINALIZATION OF MONEY LAUNDERING:
“All serious crimes” approach or “list” approach to predicate
crimes: List approach
Legal persons covered: criminally: YES civilly: NO
CRIMINALIZATION OF TERRORIST FINANCING:
Ability to freeze terrorist assets without delay: NO
UN lists of designated terrorists or terrorist entities distributed to
financial institutions: NO
(Please refer to the Department of State’s Country Reports on
Terrorism, which can be found here: http://www.state.
gov/s/ct/rls/crt/)
KNOW-YOUR-CUSTOMER RULES:
Covered entities: Credit institutions, financial groups, insurers,
pension fund management groups, stock markets, casinos,
currency exchange agencies, services for the issuance and
management of paychecks, individual and collective estate
management groups, accountants, auditors, notaries, registrars,
attorneys, solicitors and other independent professionals
Enhanced due diligence procedures for PEPs: Foreign: NO
Domestic: YES
SUSPICIOUS TRANSACTION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS:
Covered entities: Credit institutions, financial groups, insurers,
pension fund management groups, stock markets, casinos,
currency exchange agencies, services for the issuance and
management of paychecks, individual and collective estate
management groups headquartered in Angola, accountants,
auditors, notaries, registrars, attorneys, solicitors and other
independent professionals
Number of STRs received and time frame: None
Number of CTRs received and time frame: None
MONEY LAUNDERING CRIMINAL
PROSECUTIONS/CONVICTIONS:
Prosecutions: None
Convictions: None
Assets forfeited: criminally: None civilly: None
RECORDS EXCHANGE MECHANISM:
With U.S.: NO
With other governments/jurisdictions: NO
Angola is not a member of a Financial Action Task Force-style
regional body (FSRB). Angola is an observer of the Eastern and
Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group (ESAAMLG), a
FSRB.
ENFORCEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES AND
COMMENTS:
In February 2010, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)
International Cooperation Review Group (ICRG) publicly identified
Angola as a country which had significant deficiencies in its anti-
money laundering/counter-terrorist financing (AML/CFT) regime.
Angola put together an Action Plan and made a high-level political
commitment to address these deficiencies.
Since that time, Angola has made significant progress in
improving its AML/CFT regime. In June, it enacted Law 12/10
which criminalizes money laundering and terrorist financing.
Angola also ratified the UN Convention on Transnational
Organized Crime and the UN Convention for the Suppression of
the Financing of Terrorism, though the latter is still awaiting
publication in the official register. The Angolan Central Bank,
which has primary responsibility for money laundering issues, has
prepared an implementation plan for the new law.
In January 2011, the Council of Ministers is expected to approve a
Presidential Decree establishing Angola's financial intelligence
unit (FIU) and clarifying and expanding on matters addressed in
the June AML/CFT law. The Decree is expected to bring Angola's
regime further into line with international AML/CFT standards.
While recognizing the challenges posed in recruiting and training
staff and creating and integrating the necessary software systems
for the FIU, the Central Bank aims to have it fully operational by
mid-2012.
Corruption permeates Angolan business, government, and most
sectors of society. Angola is rated 168 out of 178 countries
surveyed in Transparency International’s International Corruption
Perception Index. The Angolan definition of politically exposed
persons (PEPs) covers only domestic PEPs residing outside the
country.
Date: 16 February 2012
In June 2010, Angola made a high-level political commitment to
work with the FATF to address its strategic AML/CFT deficiencies.
Since October 2011, Angola has taken steps towards improving
its AML/CFT regime, including by enacting a new AML/CFT Law.
However, the FATF has determined that certain strategic
AML/CFT deficiencies remain. Angola should continue to work on
implementing its action plan to address these deficiencies,
including by: (1) adequately criminalising money laundering and
terrorist financing (Recommendation 1 and Special
Recommendation II); (2) ensuring a fully operational and
effectively functioning Financial Intelligence Unit
(Recommendation 26); and (3) establishing and implementing an
adequate legal framework to identify and freeze terrorist assets
without delay (Special Recommendation III). The FATF
encourages Angola to address its remaining deficiencies and
continue the process of implementing its action plan.
____________________________________________________
Sanctions:
Angola was subject to UN sanctions from 1993 to 2002, during its
civil war.
____________________________________________________
Offshore Jurisdiction Blacklists:
Information unavailable.
____________________________________________________
US State Department Money Laundering Report - 2011:
Angola is not a regional financial center and has not prosecuted
any cases of money laundering. It does not produce significant
quantities of drugs although it continues to be a transit point for
drug trafficking, particularly from drugs brought in from Brazil and
South America destined for Europe. Angola's borders are porous
and vulnerable to movements of small arms, diamonds, human
trafficking and general smuggling. Angola has a high rate of U.S.
dollar cash flow. The laundering of funds derived from widespread
corruption is a concern. A law criminalizing money laundering was
passed in 2010, and is still being implemented. Angola’s capacity
to investigate financial crimes is limited.
DO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS ENGAGE IN CURRENCY
TRANSACTIONS RELATED TO INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS
TRAFFICKING THAT INCLUDE SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF US
CURRENCY; CURRENCY DERIVED FROM ILLEGAL SALES IN
THE U.S.; OR THAT OTHERWISE SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECT THE
U.S.: NO
CRIMINALIZATION OF MONEY LAUNDERING:
“All serious crimes” approach or “list” approach to predicate
crimes: List approach
Legal persons covered: criminally: YES civilly: NO
CRIMINALIZATION OF TERRORIST FINANCING:
Ability to freeze terrorist assets without delay: NO
UN lists of designated terrorists or terrorist entities distributed to
financial institutions: NO
(Please refer to the Department of State’s Country Reports on
Terrorism, which can be found here: http://www.state.
gov/s/ct/rls/crt/)
KNOW-YOUR-CUSTOMER RULES:
Covered entities: Credit institutions, financial groups, insurers,
pension fund management groups, stock markets, casinos,
currency exchange agencies, services for the issuance and
management of paychecks, individual and collective estate
management groups, accountants, auditors, notaries, registrars,
attorneys, solicitors and other independent professionals
Enhanced due diligence procedures for PEPs: Foreign: NO
Domestic: YES
SUSPICIOUS TRANSACTION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS:
Covered entities: Credit institutions, financial groups, insurers,
pension fund management groups, stock markets, casinos,
currency exchange agencies, services for the issuance and
management of paychecks, individual and collective estate
management groups headquartered in Angola, accountants,
auditors, notaries, registrars, attorneys, solicitors and other
independent professionals
Number of STRs received and time frame: None
Number of CTRs received and time frame: None
MONEY LAUNDERING CRIMINAL
PROSECUTIONS/CONVICTIONS:
Prosecutions: None
Convictions: None
Assets forfeited: criminally: None civilly: None
RECORDS EXCHANGE MECHANISM:
With U.S.: NO
With other governments/jurisdictions: NO
Angola is not a member of a Financial Action Task Force-style
regional body (FSRB). Angola is an observer of the Eastern and
Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group (ESAAMLG), a
FSRB.
ENFORCEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES AND
COMMENTS:
In February 2010, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)
International Cooperation Review Group (ICRG) publicly identified
Angola as a country which had significant deficiencies in its anti-
money laundering/counter-terrorist financing (AML/CFT) regime.
Angola put together an Action Plan and made a high-level political
commitment to address these deficiencies.
Since that time, Angola has made significant progress in
improving its AML/CFT regime. In June, it enacted Law 12/10
which criminalizes money laundering and terrorist financing.
Angola also ratified the UN Convention on Transnational
Organized Crime and the UN Convention for the Suppression of
the Financing of Terrorism, though the latter is still awaiting
publication in the official register. The Angolan Central Bank,
which has primary responsibility for money laundering issues, has
prepared an implementation plan for the new law.
In January 2011, the Council of Ministers is expected to approve a
Presidential Decree establishing Angola's financial intelligence
unit (FIU) and clarifying and expanding on matters addressed in
the June AML/CFT law. The Decree is expected to bring Angola's
regime further into line with international AML/CFT standards.
While recognizing the challenges posed in recruiting and training
staff and creating and integrating the necessary software systems
for the FIU, the Central Bank aims to have it fully operational by
mid-2012.
Corruption permeates Angolan business, government, and most
sectors of society. Angola is rated 168 out of 178 countries
surveyed in Transparency International’s International Corruption
Perception Index. The Angolan definition of politically exposed
persons (PEPs) covers only domestic PEPs residing outside the
country.
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| KnowYourCountry |
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| Last Updated: 16 April 2012 |