Synthetic opioids and the diversion of legally produced cannabis into illicit markets represent a growing risk to regional and international security. To address these emerging drug trafficking threats, on 21 and 22 May 2026 the OSCE Presence in Albania, in co-operation with the OSCE Transnational Threats Department and with the support of US International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program, organized a regional workshop for South-Eastern Europe in Tushemisht, Albania.
The event gathered law enforcement officials, prosecutors and criminal justice practitioners from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania and Serbia. It also convened experts from Austria, Belgium, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States as well as from the OSCE, EU Drugs Agency and UNODC.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Michel Tarran, Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania, emphasized: "This year's workshop focuses on two particularly important and evolving threats: the growing risks linked to synthetic opioids, including fentanyl and emerging substances such as nitazenes, and the diversion of legally cultivated cannabis into illicit markets. Although these challenges manifest differently, both require proactive responses, stronger institutional resilience and intensified regional co-operation."
Nancy VanHorn, Chargé d'Affaires of the US Embassy in Tirana, underlined the importance of international co-operation in addressing synthetic opioids and organized crime. "A key challenge is forging the international cooperation needed to investigate and arrest narcotraffickers, locate and seize drug shipments, share analysis of new drug compounds, and strengthen mutual legal assistance," she said.
Discussions focused on the growing risks posed by synthetic opioids, including fentanyl and nitazenes, as well as vulnerabilities linked to the diversion of legally produced cannabis into illicit markets. The discussions were supported by case studies presented by the participating law enforcement officers.
Building on previous OSCE-supported regional activities in 2024 and 2025, the workshop reinforced cross-border co-operation, intelligence-sharing mechanisms and international partnerships to counter organized crime and illicit drug trafficking in South-Eastern Europe and beyond.
