Drug trafficking

In drug trafficking cases, parallel investigations are particularly common. Cooperation between different national investigations ensures detection and disruption of the entire criminal organisation by prosecuting all phases of the drug trade (planning/organising, financing, production, processing, transport and distribution of drugs).

Eurojust encourages investigating the financial aspects of the drug trade to ensure that financiers and money launderers are also indicted and the assets of the members of the criminal organisation are seized. Some of the key judicial instruments facilitated by Eurojust include the European Investigation Order (EIO) and the European Arrest Warrant (EAW). Eurojust also assists in finding a solution to judicial problems related to special investigative techniques such as controlled deliveries, undercover operations and cross-border surveillance of members of organised crime groups (OCGs).

Eurojust holds coordination meetings where national authorities have an opportunity to meet and exchange information about the case, for example on the international network of the drug-trafficking OCG.

New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) and (pre)precursors have become a rising area of concern to national Prosecution authorities. A new psychoactive substance is defined as 'a new narcotic or psychotropic drug, in pure form or in preparation, that is not controlled by the United Nations drug conventions, but which may pose a public health threat comparable to that posed by substances listed in these conventions'.

The most common challenges in cases about NPS are:

• identification of the substance;

• procedural and evidentiary difficulties;

• horizontal distribution networks of the substances;

• different legal provisions in Member States;

• lack of legal basis; and

• prominence of the internet.

Eurojust’s early involvement in NPS-related investigations and prosecutions helps to find case-specific and tailor-made cross-border solutions. In June 2018, Eurojust published an analysis report on judicial cooperation in NPS, which focuses on developments in Member States’ legislation, casework and operational experience with regard to the investigation and prosecution of NPS. The report is available to view here.

The involvement of third countries in drug trafficking cases is essential, particularly because the cultivation, production and transit process often involves third countries. Eurojust therefore encourages Member States to establish connections with third countries and facilitates this process. Inviting these countries to attend coordination meetings at Eurojust can be helpful in discussing legal and practical obstacles and finding solutions. Third countries with a cooperation agreement may post a Liaison Prosecutor to Eurojust to work side by side with National Members. Currently, 10 Liaison Prosecutors are posted at Eurojust. The Agency also has a network of Contact Points in judicial authorities in more than 50 countries all over the world.

Eurojust publishes information on its work in the fight against drug trafficking as part of its efforts to develop best practice and provide encouraging examples of the results of successful cooperation of the judicial authorities in combatting this crime type. For example, the January 2015 Implementation Report of Eurojust’s Action Plan on Drug Trafficking details Eurojust’s progress in enhancing its work. The report is based on data from a quantitative analysis of information on drug trafficking cases recorded in the Eurojust Case Management System (CMS).

Three Addenda to the main report were also published, detailing Eurojust’s work in the following specific ‘focus issues’ relating to drug trafficking crimes:

1. Cross-border controlled deliveries
2. (Pre)precursors and New Psychoactive Substances (NPS)
3. Cooperation with third countries

In April 2021, the Agency published the Eurojust Report on Drug Trafficking. This report provides an overview of legal and operational challenges in international judicial cooperation on drug trafficking crime cases. It also presents best practices to overcome these challenges, drawn from the practical experience of Eurojust’s support for drug trafficking casework between 2017 and 2020 (1 838 cases).