GlobalWide News
The Guardian: The EU has initiated a crackdown on cocaine smuggling, aiming to combat the exploitation of children by criminal gangs involved in the drug trade. European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, highlighted the alarming trend of young people being lured into this dangerous trade, comparing them to child soldiers groomed for violence by criminal cartels. The EU’s plan includes identifying early signs of children’s involvement in criminal activities like shoplifting or dropping out of school to prevent their recruitment.
Additionally, the EU aims to establish a European drug alert system to promptly inform national authorities and drug users about new dangerous substances entering the market. Cooperation among European ports will also be strengthened to enhance intelligence sharing. This crackdown comes as statistics reveal that 50% of all homicides in the EU are now drug-related, with growing concerns about synthetic drugs and cocaine.
In response to the increasing threat, the EU plans to collaborate with Latin and Central American countries to share intelligence and strategies against criminal networks. Negotiations are underway for international agreements with several countries, including Ecuador, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, and Mexico, to exchange personal data with Europol. The EU is also working with the United States on initiatives to combat synthetic drugs and dismantle drug cartels’ safe havens.
The entire article can be read at the link https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/19/eu-launches-crackdown-on-cocaine-smuggling
