
More information on drug trafficking cases in 2021 is available in the Eurojust Annual Report 2021
Drug trafficking is an especially complex form of criminal activity, frequently involving multiple States and often overlapping with other offences, including financial crime and cybercrime. The fight against drug trafficking relies on effective operational cooperation between law enforcement and judicial authorities.
Eurojust helps national authorities to dismantle transnational drug trafficking networks and bring perpetrators to justice. The Agency aims to enhance cross-border cooperation to identify the entire criminal network and provides advice on how to use European judicial instruments and avoid conflicts of jurisdiction. Eurojust also facilitates efforts to detect and seize illegal substances, for example in the framework of a joint investigation team (JIT), and can help investigators to gather and exchange crucial information and evidence.
In 2020, national judicial and law enforcement authorities tackled EUR 3 billion worth of illicit drugs trade in operations coordinated through Eurojust. In 2020, nearly 1 200 cases and 50 Joint Investigation Teams supported by Eurojust concerned drug trafficking, leading to the organisation of close to 90 coordination meetings and 4 joint action days, so-called coordination centres.