EU Statement on “Illicit Trafficking in Substances and Precursors, and Domestic Diversion of Precursor Chemicals” at the third intersessional meeting of the 67th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, 12-14 November 2024

Distinguished Chair, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States. The candidate countries Türkiye, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina[1]  and Georgia, the EFTA country Iceland, member of the European Economic Area, as well as San Marino, align themselves with this statement.

The diversion of non-scheduled chemicals and proliferation and trafficking of designer precursors is a serious concern and the biggest challenge to drug precursor control and monitoring.

The European Union is committed to take further action and will continue raising awareness and engage with the private sector, not only with the chemical industry but also with all relevant players, including online platforms, to safeguard the entire supply chain, making it less permeable to its exploitation by criminals.

All designer precursors detected and seized in the EU to date, originate in 3rd countries, nevertheless illegal synthetic drug producers in the European Union overwhelmingly use such designer precursors and its use has been increasing over the years. 

As already stated in previous years, drug precursor diversion and trafficking, in particular of designer precursors, is a global phenomenon and thus requires global action. Therefore, the European Union continues to fully support the INCB in calling upon all Parties to the 1988 UN Convention to take action to disrupt the supply of such substances more effectively and without creating undue burden for authorities and legitimate industry.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[1] North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.