Drug & Precursor Trafficking: A Field Guide for Frontline Officers is a practical resource designed to support law enforcement personnel in identifying, investigating and responding to drug trafficking and the illicit movement of precursor chemicals used in drug manufacture.

Recognising the significant challenges posed by transnational drug trafficking, the guide provides quick-reference tools to help frontline officers handle suspected trafficking cases safely, professionally and effectively.

The guide covers 20 operational topics, including intelligence gathering and sharing, managing...

The report examines the resurgence of the Colombian Caribbean as a strategic corridor for cocaine trafficking towards European markets. It explores how criminal networks are adapting established trafficking routes in response to changing market demand, increased border controls and evolving regional security conditions.

Drawing on interviews, fieldwork and secondary data, the research traces cocaine flows from production areas in Colombia through maritime, land and air routes, highlighting the growing importance of Venezuela, the Dominican Republic and the Lesser Antilles as transit points.

Safe futures is an initiative supported by the European Union Drugs Agency to strengthen shared understanding of, and responses to, the recruitment and exploitation of young people into criminal drugs networks across Europe. The initiative responds to growing concern that organised drug crime increasingly relies on young people, often those experiencing the greatest vulnerability, as labour in drug supply activities and associated violence, creating an interlinked security, social and public health challenge requiring coordinated, evidence-informed action.

This report emphasises the research...

The present Handbook is one of a series of practical tools developed by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to support countries in the implementation of the standards and norms in crime prevention and criminal justice. These standards and norms support the rule of law, human rights and a culture of lawfulness through the development of crime prevention and criminal justice reform. The Handbook can be used in a variety of contexts, including as part of UNODC technical assistance and capacity-building projects, whether as a reference document or a training tool. A number of...

Scotland’s illicit drug market is becoming increasingly complex with the emergence of highly potent synthetic substances, including synthetic cannabinoids and opioids such as nitazenes. Some of these substances can be considerably more potent than heroin, increasing the risk of severe and fatal overdose.

The article highlights concerns that synthetic substances are being mixed with other drugs, sometimes without the knowledge of the person using them. Their rapid development and changing composition create additional challenges for drug monitoring, health services, law enforcement, and...

New research examining more than 62,000 criminal incidents across 13 police forces in England found that police-led drug diversion schemes are associated with significantly lower reoffending rates than traditional prosecution for drug possession. Individuals who were referred to treatment or education services through diversion programmes were around one-third less likely to reoffend than those who were prosecuted.

The study also found that diversion schemes remain underused, with many eligible individuals not being referred despite established programmes in some police forces. Researchers...

This paper examines the development and early outcomes of the Thames Valley Police Drugs Diversion Pilot in West Berkshire, which offers people found in possession of drugs an opportunity to engage with treatment rather than receive a conventional criminal justice sanction. It places the initiative within the wider evolution of UK drug policy and compares it with similar police-led diversion schemes in England and Wales.

Early findings show mixed engagement with treatment: while many eligible individuals initially accepted the offer, 55% did not go on to enter treatment. However, among those...

Arrest Referral (AR) schemes in London were established to connect people who use drugs with treatment services at the point of arrest through collaboration between police and drug service providers. Based on interviews with police officers and drug workers, the study explores the practical challenges of delivering treatment referrals within police custody settings, differences in professional perspectives, and the development of effective working relationships over time. The findings highlight the value of collaboration between health and criminal justice agencies in improving referral...

This report examines how the rapid growth of synthetic drug markets is transforming the global drug landscape and challenging traditional approaches to drug control. Unlike plant-based drugs such as cocaine and heroin, synthetic drugs can be manufactured almost anywhere using a wide range of precursor chemicals, making production more flexible and difficult to disrupt.

The report highlights that synthetic drug markets are now present in almost every country and have experienced the fastest growth of any criminal market since 2021. Lower barriers to production have enabled both organised...

This paper examines how heroin trafficking routes from Afghanistan into Europe have evolved following the Taliban's return to power in 2021. It explores the changing dynamics of the northern and southern trafficking routes, highlighting how geopolitical developments, shifts in enforcement, and changing trafficking methods have increased the importance of alternative pathways, particularly through the Caucasus.

The paper also describes broader changes in the global drug market. While heroin continues to be supplied through existing stockpiles, adulterated products, and new cultivation, global...