Expand partnerships to defeat global criminal drug networks

ATHENS, Greece – This week, the US Drug Enforcement Administration and the Ministry of Civil Defense of the Hellenic Republic chaired the 38th annual International Drug Enforcement Conference (IDEC) in Greece.

Hundreds of top drug enforcement officials from more than 130 countries discussed innovative ways to expand international cooperation, highlighting the theme of this year’s conference: Beyond Borders: Expanding Global Partnerships.

This solutions-oriented event served as a platform to discuss advancing technologies and the expansion of strategic partnerships to strengthen global interdiction efforts and address emerging and evolving drug-related threats, including the evolution of synthetic drugs, the rise of cryptocurrency, and the complexity of complex, global money laundering.

“Drug trafficking knows no borders and remains a critical issue for every country represented at IDEC. Global criminal drug networks operate without regard to geographic boundaries or the rule of law and defeating them requires a united and coordinated global effort. DEA is proud to work with the countries represented here to save lives and make communities around the world safer,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. “IDEC brings together influential drug law leaders committed to building strategic relationships and expanding global cooperation. I would like to thank the Greek Government, the Ministry of Civil Protection and the Greek National Police for their hospitality and long-term cooperation.”

The Minister of Civil Protection Michalis Chrisochoidis underlined the excellent cooperation between DEA and the Greek authorities in effectively combating criminal networks in drug trafficking and emphasized international cooperation and interoperability as key principles for combating very tough, strong, large and closed groups of the organized crime. He described these principles as “the pillars on which we must build, improve and strengthen to build a barrier against these international criminal networks.”

The head of the Greek Police, Lieutenant General Dimitrios Mallios, stressed the “utmost importance of international cooperation, the timely and accurate exchange of operational intelligence, sharing of best practices, findings and strategic information regarding the evolving methodologies of criminal networks , as well as building trust and bonds among law enforcement officials, who are ultimately called upon to assess intelligence, plan, and operate in the field, with the common goal of dismantling global criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking .”

Since IDEC’s founding in 1983, the DEA and its rotating nation partners have hosted heads of international agencies and drug law enforcement leaders to strengthen global intelligence efforts; strengthen transnational investigations, interdictions and prosecutions; and disrupt the illegal drug trade. As the world’s largest international drug law enforcement conference, IDEC strives to promote the exchange of information and strengthen shared responsibilities to combat global drug trafficking.

This event was also made possible through the support of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, the Colombo Plan and the Drug Enforcement Association of Federal Narcotics Agents.