{"id":6740,"date":"2021-08-05T09:56:35","date_gmt":"2021-08-05T09:56:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eurodefense.pt\/?p=6740"},"modified":"2023-02-20T18:09:44","modified_gmt":"2023-02-20T18:09:44","slug":"challenges-and-opportunities-in-iberian-cooperation-in-the-fight-against-drug-trafficking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eurodefense.pt\/challenges-and-opportunities-in-iberian-cooperation-in-the-fight-against-drug-trafficking\/","title":{"rendered":"Challenges and opportunities in Iberian cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Presentation of the ED Iberia Working Group (2021)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

About ED Iberia WG<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are an open and collaborative work group, made up of members of the two associations, Eurodefense Jovem Portugal and Eurodefense Joven Espa\u00f1a, who decided to start meeting with the aim of looking for common links in Iberian Security and Defense, in line with the interests of the European Union.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At this moment, the group is composed of young students and professionals, both civilians and military staff, interested in different fields of Security and Defense, national, European and international, with multidisciplinary experience but with the same common purpose: work together and link bridges between both associations. Although our conversations began during the time of confinement in 2020, just a few months ago we decided to put some of the issues that generate the most concern for us in terms of bilateral cooperation on the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This group is open to the participation of all members of both associations who are willing to join. In turn, the purpose of this group is to achieve a document in the form of an academic paper that brings together both perspectives and all the ties in common between both countries in the field of the fight against drug trafficking. Likewise, international experts will be invited to debate on this topic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ultimate goal for all participants is to learn and work together, in the paradox of “learning about cooperation, cooperating” and knowing more about the operational management of both systems. The members of this working group do not necessarily have to be experts in the specific matter referred, but they will be in terms of the common Security and Defense culture, aware of the need to cooperate to achieve common benefit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abstract<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spain and Portugal, taking into account both its insular and peninsular part, represent an important point of entry for narcotics into the European Continent, as the Iberian Peninsula connects the Atlantic Ocean,  the Mediterranean Sea and the African continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This geographical position makes it dangerously suitable to smuggle cocaine from South America and hashish from north of Africa, among others. In fact, the Peninsula is part of two of the three main routes that transport cocaine from South America to its final consumers. Europe is the second biggest cocaine consumer in the world, falling behind only North America, so it is only natural that there is so much focus on this region[1]<\/span><\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned before, Portugal and Spain are important points of entry and there are several difficulties to stopping drug trafficking. For once, the coast is extensive and the means to patrol it are scarce in relation to its needs; and secondly the freedom of movement within the EU[2]<\/span><\/sup><\/a> – one of its core principles – hinders any investigation and attempt to control the movement of the narcotics, once they are inside the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moreover, drug traffic is often disguised, for example under a facade of a legitimate business (such as cargo containers) or recreational vessels, but also, with the increased border and coastal patrolling, it is predictable that high speed vessels will be replaced by pleasure crafts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nevertheless, the surveillance and fight against drug trafficking is done by land, sea and air, and in this way, this is and would be the collaboration between both countries to combat this phenomenon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The legal framework in Portugal has assigned competence to several entities, in regards to drug trafficking (Decreto-Lei N\u00ba81\/95, de 22 de abril): Judiciary Police, National Republican Guard, Public Security Police, Foreigners and Borders Service, Tax and Customs Authority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Spain, The National Strategy on Addictions 2017-2024<\/span><\/a> is currently being implemented, by which international cooperation acquires great relevance both at the multilateral level – United Nations, European Union – and regional – Latin America and the Caribbean and North Africa and the East Next -, as well as on a bilateral level. The main objective is to coordinate the technical and political sides in the international arena, developing policies to combat addictions within the framework of European strategies and following up on existing plans for cooperation in this regard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The operational bodies in the supply control of drug trafficking englobes the Directorate General of National Police, the Directorate of the Civil Guard, the Customs Surveillance Service and Autonomous and Local Police.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the continental level, the European Union has developed a comprehensive response to the current drugs situation in the EU. Regarding that this topic involves more factors as health, security and social policy it is mandatory to implement solutions that take into account scientific to socio-political dimensions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of this work, we will take into consideration the security variable, a cross-cutting subject to all the other areas mentioned, to study what are the actions of both countries, as well as their cooperation in this matter for the fight against drug trafficking. For this reason, we will take as a starting point the <\/span>EU Drug Strategy 2021-2025<\/span><\/a>, as part of the Union Security Strategy and approved by the Council of the European Union.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This strategy has three target areas, based on three points in the drug trafficking chain:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Drug supply reduction<\/em><\/li>
  2. Drug demand reduction<\/em><\/li>
  3. Addressing drug-related harm<\/em><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    In order to pursue these three dimensions, three strategic priority matters are identified in the field of action:<\/p>\n\n\n\n