Parliament adopted a resolution calling for a stronger fight against drug trafficking

In the resolution adopted by 601 votes in favour, four against and five abstentions, MEPs advocate greater cooperation and information sharing, along with improved port security, in response to the rapid development of criminal networks.

The EP proposes that security forces should receive more funding and resources to tackle the problem at both EU and Member State level.

Officials on the front line must have the vessels, equipment, training, staff and legal protection needed to carry out their missions in safety, MEPs say, while supporting the classification of the functions of security forces in the front line as high-risk professions in the EU.

“ Drug trafficking networks know no borders and we cannot continue to allow them to have more means, more speed and greater adaptability than the authorities that fight them. If organized crime works in a network, Europe also has to act in a network,” said MEP Ana Pedro (CDS), one of the rapporteurs of the text, to Lusa.

The resolution addresses the issue of port and maritime security, with increased surveillance, advocates support for security forces, which should be classified as high-risk professions, and calls for financial asphyxiation of trafficking networks, as measures against the more severe money laundering in the European banking system and the creation of effective tools to identify, freeze and confiscate the financial assets of criminal organisations.

Strengthening international cooperation with strategic regions such as West Africa (transit route) and China (to control the export of chemical precursors used in the production of synthetic drugs) and the importance of drug treatment are also mentioned in the resolution.