The Republic of Moldova and the European Union are stepping up their joint response to drug trafficking at a time when synthetic drugs, new psychoactive substances and online distribution channels are rapidly reshaping the illicit drug market.
Hosted in Chișinău by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the 15th meeting of the EU Security Hub brings together representatives of Moldovan institutions, the European Commission, EU agencies and EU Member States to identify concrete actions to prevent and combat these evolving threats.
Jointly organised by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs (DG HOME), the meeting places drug trafficking at the heart of the security dialogue between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union.
Discussions focus on some of the fastest-evolving threats, including synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances, the use of encrypted platforms, postal and courier services for drug distribution, changing trafficking routes, and the capacity of criminal networks to operate simultaneously across multiple countries.
The meeting in Chișinău brings together representatives of the European Commission, the EU Delegation, the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA), Europol, Frontex, CEPOL and EUBAM, alongside representatives of EU Member States and national institutions responsible for home affairs, health, education, justice and social assistance.
Drugs can no longer be tackled within national borders only
The drug market is evolving rapidly. Criminal networks are increasingly exploiting digital technologies, encrypted communications, postal and courier services, while constantly adapting their trafficking routes to avoid detection.
At the same time, new synthetic substances are emerging that are often more potent and more difficult to detect and identify. By the end of 2025, the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) was monitoring 1,050 new psychoactive substances, with 50 new substances identified in Europe for the first time during that year alone.
For national authorities, these developments mean that traditional approaches to combating drug trafficking are no longer sufficient. Information must be exchanged rapidly across borders, laboratories must be equipped to identify emerging substances, border authorities must be able to recognise new trafficking patterns, and investigations must extend beyond national jurisdictions.
Minister of Internal Affairs Daniella Misail-Nichitin emphasised: “Our direction is clear: the Republic of Moldova is building its drug control system as an integral part of the European security area. This is also essential to our European Union accession process, particularly in fulfilling our commitments under Chapter 24 — Justice, Freedom and Security.
That is why our response must be cross-border. I would like to thank the European Commission, our colleagues at DG HOME, the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova, EUDA, Europol, the European agencies and the representatives of the Member States who are with us today. Your support is not simply assistance to Moldova; it strengthens our collective European capacity to respond to this common threat”.
Mate Csicsai, Head of the Political, Press and Information Section at the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova, highlighted the importance of close cooperation: “Drug trafficking clearly demonstrates that security cannot be ensured by a single institution or a single country. Every step taken by Moldova to detect organised crime, exchange information, strengthen border security and investigate criminal networks contributes to greater security for both Moldova and the European Union.
Our cooperation is becoming increasingly close as Moldova continues to advance on its path towards European Union membership”.
From cooperation to operational results
A key objective of the conference is to translate the close cooperation between Moldova and its European partners into concrete operational tools and actions.
Europol presented opportunities to strengthen information exchange and provide enhanced support for investigations targeting drug trafficking networks, particularly in cases involving a cross-border dimension.
FRONTEX addressed the risks associated with drug trafficking at the border, the development of detection capabilities, and opportunities for strengthening operational cooperation with the Moldovan authorities, while CEPOL presented training and capacity-building opportunities for specialists involved in preventing and combating this type of crime.
The DG HOME representative outlined the European Union’s priorities in preventing drug use and combating drug trafficking, as well as the support available to Moldova in the context of its EU candidate status and ongoing accession process.
Synthetic drugs: rapid detection can make the difference
An important part of the conference is dedicated to synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances. These substances pose one of the most complex challenges for authorities, as the market is evolving at an unprecedented pace. The emergence of new substances can place significant pressure on law enforcement agencies, forensic and toxicology laboratories, and the healthcare system.
Against this backdrop, Moldova is working to establish a National Early Warning System, strengthen the National Drug Observatory, and enhance forensic capabilities to identify emerging substances.
In Chișinău, EUDA presented the latest developments in the European drug market, the threats posed by new psychoactive substances, and the role of early warning systems in rapidly identifying emerging risks.
Cooperation with EUDA is entering a new phase. A Working Arrangement was formalised between EUDA, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The arrangement will facilitate enhanced data and expertise exchange, support the development of Moldova’s national early warning system, and contribute to the country’s alignment with relevant European mechanisms.
Better detection, faster information, joint investigations
A significant part of the discussions focuses on the practical challenges faced by national institutions in preventing and combating drug trafficking. Experts from Moldova and their European counterparts are examining risk identification and assessment, drug detection at the border, the use of postal and courier services by traffickers, canine detection capabilities, information exchange, and cooperation among the Police, Border Police, Customs Service, and European partners.
Strengthening forensic and toxicological capabilities is another key priority. The growing volume and diversity of substances requiring analysis call for continued investment in laboratory infrastructure, modern equipment and analytical methods, as well as ongoing professional training for specialists.
Moldova also aims to establish a comprehensive mechanism for ensuring the traceability of seized drugs – from the initial collection and forensic examination of substances through secure storage and, ultimately, their destruction.
Prevention must stay ahead of traffickers
However, the response to drugs cannot stop at the border or with criminal investigations. The conference brings together law enforcement, border and customs authorities, healthcare, education and social services, the correctional system, and forensic experts.
This integrated approach is designed to ensure that prevention, public health, and the fight against organised crime reinforce one another, with particular attention to protecting children and young people.
For the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the objective is clear: the state must act before drugs reach young people. And when criminal networks attempt to smuggle and distribute illicit substances, institutions must have the information, technology, expertise, and cooperation needed to detect and disrupt their activities.
Moldova strengthens its role in the European security space
Combating drug trafficking is also an important part of Moldova’s commitments on its path towards European Union membership, particularly under Chapter 24 – Justice, Freedom and Security.
In recent years, the country has significantly strengthened its cooperation with Europol, EUDA, Frontex, CEPOL, EUBAM, Eurojust and EMPACT, gradually moving beyond the exchange of expertise towards information sharing, coordinated investigations, and joint operational action.
The 15th EU Security Hub meeting is intended to conclude not only with an assessment of the current situation, but also with clear priorities, defined institutional responsibilities, and concrete actions for future cooperation and support.
Every trafficking route identified, every dangerous substance detected before it reaches the illicit market, every piece of information shared in a timely manner, and every criminal network dismantled in Moldova helps protect its people while also contributing to the security of the wider European space. This is the role of the Security Hub: to turn cooperation into action, information into results, and joint efforts into greater safety for people.
