To combat the growing synthetic drug trade, policing must go beyond arrests and seizures. What’s needed is real frontline cooperation — sharing intelligence, running joint operations, and coordinating swiftly across borders. Border liaison offices are making a difference, but they can’t succeed without strong political backing. Transnational crime moves fast — and without deeper collaboration, it will stay ahead.
Simply seizing drugs will never solve the underlying problem, as synthetic drugs can be produced infinitely. The focus must shift to dismantling the business model of organized crime by targeting their banking operations, chemical supply chains, and money laundering activities. Current enforcement strategies are failing as drug production continues to increase despite record seizures.