International Seminar on Drug Trafficking by Air

Air traffic drug trafficking has escalated rapidly, using light aircraft and private jets from remote areas, highly modified cargo systems, “human mules” on commercial flights, and more recently the growing e-commerce trade as a way to send small amounts of drugs via courier. This landscape demands specialized capabilities, advanced technology, and close collaboration among institutions.

Pucallpa, Peru, hosted an international seminar on air drug trafficking that brought together national and international authorities with the goal of strengthening cooperation against one of the most sophisticated and expanding methods of drug trafficking.

The seminar has been organized by the European project on the fight against drugs and organized crime, which is executed by Spain, France, Italy, and Romania. Twenty-four Peruvian, European, and regional institutions have gathered. The event has allowed for sharing presentations and knowledge, and workshops have been held on technological innovation, risk analysis, aerial surveillance, and global interdiction strategies.

The main objective is to reinforce the international response to drug trafficking by air, promoting international cooperation, the exchange of good practices, and the elaboration of a roadmap with recommendations that allow for facing the operations of organized crime more effectively.

The seminar was chaired by the European Union Ambassador to Peru, Jonathan Hatwell, who highlighted the importance of strengthening institutional capabilities and sharing intelligence among countries. For his part, Jorge Cárdenas Sáez, Deputy Minister of Internal Order at the Ministry of the Interior, emphasized the commitment of the Peruvian state to confront criminal networks operating through aircraft, air cargo, and advanced concealment techniques.

This meeting reaffirms the joint commitment of Peru and the European Union to combat drug trafficking and protect the safety and stability of the region.