Regional roundtable discussion in Ohrid highlights co-operation between law enforcement and forensics officers on illicit drugs investigations

OHRID, 8 October 2014 – A two-day regional roundtable discussion on co-operation between law enforcement and forensic officers on illicit drug investigations in South-Eastern Europe, started today in Ohrid.

The event is organized by the OSCE Transnational Threats Department, in close co-operation with the Laboratory and Scientific Section of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

The event brings together more than 30 leading forensic officers, intelligence officers and drug investigation officers/judges from south-east Europe to discuss the quality of drug-related crime investigations and involvement of forensic scientists in providing scientific evidence related to drug interdiction: criminal penalties for cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, trafficking, possession and use of illicit drugs.

The discussions focused on UNODC reports on the worldwide drug problem, particularly on new psychoactive substances; briefings from each delegation on the drug and precursor situation in their respective countries; lessons learned from co-operation between forensics and investigations; and new methods of drug determination and profiling as well as scientific and technical advice.

“In order to successfully tackle drug-related crimes, collaboration between criminal police and forensic officers is as of high importance,” said Guy Vinet, Head of the Strategic Police Matters Unit within OSCE’s Transnational Threats Department. “The forensic drug examination combined with law enforcement intelligence can be an effective method for enhancing capacity to contribute to reducing drug demand and drug supply. Forensic analysis provides critical evidence to criminal justice on determining the guilt or innocence of people.”  

Conor Crean from the Laboratory and Scientific Section at UNODC said: “The roundtable discussion will further motivate strategic reporting by laboratories in the region on drug seizures and provide improved information to law enforcement agencies for an adequate response.”

Experts from Bulgaria, Germany, Moldova and the United States as well as the UNODC and the Southeast European Law Enforcement Center (SELEC) will share their knowledge and expertise over the course of the two-day discussion.