Joint Front Against Drugs: Latvia and Estonia Launch Joint Action Plan 0 8

The action plan is based on the decision of the governments of both countries from August 27, which tasked the ministries of internal affairs with developing a joint action plan to combat drug trafficking and organized crime.

"Our goal is to reduce the number of people dying from drugs and to ensure that organized crime has no foothold here. To paralyze the criminal network and prevent the influx of narcotic substances into the market, rapid and effective international cooperation is crucial. Latvia is our important partner, and working together gives us more strength and better opportunities to achieve this goal," said Minister of Internal Affairs Igor Taro.

The aim of the action plan is to prevent and reduce the spread of illegal drugs, decrease the number of deaths caused by their use, limit the economic impact of criminal networks, and strengthen cross-border cooperation and situational awareness.

According to the agreement, the Estonian Police and Border Guard Department and the State Police of Latvia will establish a joint working group by the beginning of 2026. Its tasks will include compiling a comprehensive overview of the situation in both countries, identifying common priorities and goals, as well as planning and conducting joint operations and investigative actions. The working group will present annual reports to the ministries of internal affairs of both countries, reflecting the results achieved, identified problems, and further steps.

In 2023, Estonia recorded 113, and Latvia 154 cases of drug-related deaths, more than half of which were caused by dangerous synthetic opioids, primarily nitazenes. In 2023, 86 percent of nitazene seizures reported in the European Union occurred in Estonia and Latvia, indicating the central role of the Baltic states in the spread of this dangerous substance.

The action plan will be implemented in 2026–2028. Upon its completion, the joint working group will present a proposal for an action plan for the next period to ensure continuous and effective cross-border cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime.