ARIEN participated in the CERIS Workshop on “Innovative Approaches to Combating the Trafficking of Goods”, organised by the European Commission DG HOME in Brussels on 28 April 2026. The workshop gathered experts from law enforcement, customs authorities, border management agencies, research organisations, policymakers and industry to explore innovative European solutions addressing illicit trafficking across the external borders of the European Union.

The event focused on emerging technologies and research-driven approaches supporting the identification, detection and analysis of illicit trafficking activities. Discussions covered a broad spectrum of security challenges, including customs inspections, cargo screening, market intelligence, AI-supported analytics, secure information exchange and risk assessment methodologies aimed at strengthening operational effectiveness while minimising disruptions to trade flows.

ARIEN was represented at the workshop by ENG partners Valentina Mazzonello and Ernesto La Mattina, together with CERTH partner Angelos Papadopoulos. During the session dedicated to analytical and intelligence-based innovative solutions against illegal trafficking, Valentina Mazzonello presented the ARIEN project and its main achievements, illustrating how advanced AI technologies and multidisciplinary intelligence approaches can support Law Enforcement Agencies in combating illicit drug production and trafficking.

The presentation highlighted ARIEN’s objective of enhancing investigative and intelligence capabilities through sustainable AI-driven tools and services capable of improving situational awareness, identifying emerging threats and strengthening secure cooperation and information sharing among law enforcement stakeholders. ARIEN’s contribution aligned closely with the workshop’s broader focus on innovative data analytics, operational intelligence and interoperable security solutions supporting European border and customs operations.

Throughout the workshop, participants discussed the growing convergence between illicit trafficking and other forms of organised criminal activity, including cybercrime, corruption, money laundering and trafficking of intangible assets such as cryptocurrencies, digital credentials and illicit online services. These discussions reinforced the importance of collaborative research and innovation frameworks capable of addressing increasingly interconnected and technology-enabled criminal ecosystems.

The event also featured thematic breakout sessions dedicated to wildlife trafficking and trafficking of intangible assets, where participants exchanged views on current operational gaps, capability needs and future research priorities. The sessions highlighted the increasing need for advanced analytical tools, cross-border cooperation mechanisms and stronger collaboration between research communities and operational authorities.

ARIEN’s participation in this CERIS initiative further demonstrated the project’s commitment to supporting European security through innovation, operational intelligence and multidisciplinary cooperation. The consortium thanks DG HOME and the CERIS community for creating a valuable platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange and collaboration among stakeholders working to strengthen Europe’s response to illicit trafficking and organised crime.