On 21 February 2024, the CERIS workshop on illicit drugs, organized by the Security Research and Innovation Unit (HOME.F2) of DG HOME, brought together over 100 participants, including representatives from police forces, customs, forensic institutes, policymakers, researchers, industry leaders, and civil society. The event, held under the CERIS banner (Community for European Research and Innovation for Security), aimed to tackle the growing challenges of illicit drugs from a variety of perspectives.

Drug trafficking remains a highly profitable venture for criminal networks, contributing to a dramatic rise in illicit drugs circulating within Europe. Record-breaking drug seizures across the EU illustrate the scale of the problem. The impact of these criminal networks stretches far beyond trafficking, affecting communities, economies, and public safety. To address these threats, a coordinated, multi-stakeholder approach involving governments, law enforcement, and private sector actors is essential.

During the workshop, experts emphasized the critical role of cutting-edge technologies in improving the detection of drugs and other illicit materials. With advancements in scanning systems and artificial intelligence, the tools now available to authorities are faster, more accurate, and capable of scanning both cargo and individuals. This technological leap greatly enhances the capacity of border control agencies to prevent the smuggling of narcotics and other illegal items.

Equally important, however, is the role of practitioners in driving these innovations. Their hands-on experience and operational needs provide essential input for EU security research projects like ARIEN. These practitioners are not only contributors to the identification of requirements but also play a vital role in validating the effectiveness of new tools and methods.

The ARIEN project team was honored to participate in the CERIS workshop. It was a fantastic opportunity to present the project and engage with the broader security community. The event underscored the importance of collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and security practitioners in the fight against drug trafficking and other cross-border threats.

We thank the organizers of the CERIS workshop for the invitation and look forward to continuing our work to develop innovative solutions that contribute to a safer Europe.

For more information, please visit: https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/news/ceris-workshop-illicit-drugs-draws-more-100-participants-brussels-2024-04-09_en