The campaign against drug trafficking at the European level has been boosted with a new legislative tool. The EU Council last week adopted a Regulation that permits the competent national authorities to strengthen controls on the illicit use of chemical substances used for the synthesis of heroin, cocaine, amphetamines and ecstasy. The so-called “precursor” drugs will thus be subjected to tougher controls as regards production, transport, distribution and marketing. Rules on licences and labelling, hitherto relatively lax, have also been tightened by Brussels and by the customs authorities responsible for controlling the circulation of precursors. The Regulation should contribute significantly at least that is the Union’s intention to reinforcing the campaign against drug production and consumption, also thanks to the extension of the scope of the measures to the countries of Eastern Europe, traditionally a weak link in the chain of control of drug trafficking at the continental level.
