In early November 2025, Europol welcomed 191 experts from 51 countries to its headquarters in the Hague for the latest edition of the Annual Drug Conference. The discussions focused on emerging trends in the production and trafficking of synthetic drugs, the challenges posed by cocaine trafficking, and strategies to strengthen international cooperation in the fight against these threats. Participants also explored innovative methods to dismantle the criminal networks involved in drug trafficking.
The trade in illicit drugs continues to be a significant threat to the internal security of the EU. In particular, synthetic drugs are very dynamic, with changing routes and a variety of criminal actors. They are produced on a large scale in the EU, both for local markets and for export abroad.
Given the seriousness of the matter, Europol has made the fight against synthetic drug trafficking a top priority. In this context, the agency has provided support to two major operations in recent weeks targeting the entire supply chain:
1.- Criminal network dismantled in Central and Eastern Europe
On 11 November 2025, law enforcement agencies dismantled an international criminal network supplying key precursors used to produce methamphetamine and operating across Europe. Authorities in Bulgaria, Czechia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova, with the support of Europol, participated in the investigation. Eurojust set up and funded the joint investigation team between the Czech, Romanian and Moldovan authorities, which enabled them to track the flow of illicit substances and communications and gather evidence for the prosecution of the criminal group.
The action day involved:
- 16 arrests (1 in Bulgaria, 11 in Czechia, 2 in Hungary and 2 in Moldova).
- 18 searches (3 in Czechia, 2 in Hungary, 1 in Romania and 12 in Moldova).
- 3 clandestine drug laboratories dismantled in Hungary and Moldova.
- Seizure of synthetic drugs and chemical materials for producing methamphetamine, including more than 5 kg of methamphetamine, 40 kg of pills containing ephedrine, 50 litres of toluene, 0.5 kg of phosphorus, 280 kg of caustic soda, and 70 kg of chemical production waste.
- Seizure of two vehicles used to transport drugs.
- Seizure of electronic devices and cash.
The suspects were involved in all stages of the drug production chain: they imported chemicals, produced synthetic drugs, and smuggled them in the luggage of aeroplanes and in hidden compartments of vehicles to avoid detection by authorities.
2.- In addition, in an unprecedented operation in the EU, the authorities seized more than 40 tonnes of precursors intended for the production of MDMA, amphetamine and methamphetamine in Hungary and Germany. The investigation lasted two years, and the most recent action took place on 4 and 5 November 2025, resulting in:
- 4 arrests
- 8 property searches
- Synthetic drugs seized
- Seized precursors and chemicals
- Vehicles, jewellery and electronic devices seized
- €67,000 in cash seized
The investigation revealed that the precursors were shipped from China to the ports of Hamburg and Rotterdam. There, they were collected by members of the criminal network and sent to Hungary for further distribution. The perpetrators operated in many European countries and had the capacity to supply large quantities of chemicals, enabling large-scale drug production.
The criminal network targeted by this operation was linked to several shipments of precursor chemicals seized between 2023 and 2025. During this period, the authorities intercepted almost 32 tonnes of precursors in Hungary and more than 10 tonnes in Germany.
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