OSCE Strengthens Regional Cooperation Against Drug Trafficking

A regional seminar on synthetic drugs and illegal diversion of medical cannabis opened today in Tushemisht.

The two-day event focuses on growing drug trafficking threats in Southeast Europe.

The seminar is organized by the OSCE Presence in Albania with support from the OSCE Transnational Threats Department and the US Department of Justice program at the Embassy of the United States in Albania.

Senior officials from SPAK, the National Bureau of Investigation and the State Police joined representatives from police and prosecution offices across Southeast Europe.

EU agencies, UN agencies and the US Drug Enforcement Administration also took part in the discussions.

Participants focused on two major security threats: the spread of synthetic drugs and the illegal diversion of legally cultivated cannabis into criminal markets.

The seminar follows earlier regional meetings held in Durrës in 2024 and 2025.

Discussions highlighted the growing global threat from synthetic drugs such as fentanyl and nitazenes.

Participants exchanged operational information, best practices and analytical expertise on monitoring legal cannabis cultivation and preventing illegal trafficking.

Organizers said recent legal changes in several Southeast European countries created new challenges for law enforcement and regulatory authorities.

The seminar also aims to improve regional cooperation, information sharing and institutional coordination across the OSCE area.

The OSCE said it will continue supporting national institutions and regional partners in the fight against organized crime and illegal drug trafficking.

/a.c/

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