Strengthening global justice and co-operation to tackle drugs and trafficking

On World Drug Day, the EU spotlights its support for global justice cooperation, showcasing how a Lisbon forum helped trigger a major cocaine bust in Guinea-Bissau.

Marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on 26 June, the European Union (EU) highlights its support for international justice cooperation in addressing drug trafficking and organised crime. 

Through the Global Illicit Flows Programme (GIFP), the EU supports innovative, cooperative and justice-centred initiatives that address the underlying structures of drug trafficking networks. One example is its support to the Global Programme on Criminal Network Disruption (GPCD), implemented by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and funded by the GIFP. The programme’s CRIMJUST component goes beyond interdiction, addressing the actors, structures, and finances underpinning organized crime. 

Portugal–Guinea-Bissau Forum: Enhancing justice co-operation 

Between July 9 and 11, 2024, a CRIMJUST-led forum held in Lisbon brought together officials from the Portuguese Judicial Police and Guinea-Bissau’s Judicial Police, with support from AIRCOP (a GIFP sister project), and INTERPOL. The event was also attended by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Participants exchanged information and discussed emerging trends in illicit drug trafficking on the Bissau-Lisbon air route and identified key areas of risk. Following the premise “It takes a network to disrupt a network”, the forum aimed to bolster relationships between key criminal justice actors, through the sharing of experiences and building mutual understanding of challenges faced in each country.  

By the end of the three-day event, identified opportunities for enhanced co-operation to address shared threats. 

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Tangible outcomes: Co-ordinated action in Guinea-Bissau  

On 11 September 2024, co-ordinated action in Guinea-Bissau led to the seizure of 2.63 tonnes of cocaine and the arrest of five international suspects—including nationals from Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador and Brazil. The operation was supported by: 

• the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre – Narcotics (MAOC-N)
• the United States Drug Enforcement Agency
• the Portuguese Judicial Police
• INTERPOL 

This successful operation directly followed case discussions held during the Lisbon forum, demonstrating the operational value of joint planning and information sharing. 

The EU’s commitment to multilateral solutions 

On World Drug Day, the EU reaffirms its commitment to multilateral engagement, capacity building and strengthening the justice system as vital tools in the global response to drug trafficking.  

The CRIMJUST programme shows how international cooperation, trust-building and knowledge exchange can deliver real-world impact in tackling organised crime.

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