International practice of preventing illegal drug trafficking

The scientific article examines issues related to the international practice of preventing the illegal circulation of narcotic drugs. Studying this topic, it was found that currently a significant number of organized criminal groups involved in the illegal circulation of narcotic drugs are international. Raw materials for the production of drugs can be grown in one country, processed in another, transported in transit through a third, and settled in a fourth.Even members of such criminal groups or organizations may have different origins and nationalities, and may speak different languages. That is why the investigation of such crimes becomes much more complicated. It was established that with close and coordinated interaction of the relevant law enforcement agencies of different states, it is most expedient to detain the entire criminal group or organization, and not just a small part of it, which in itself would not be able to stop its criminal activity, and therefore protect the population from the negative influence of narcotics means. It was found out that it is necessary to carefully monitor the state of illegal drug trafficking in neighboring states, as the distribution of narcotic substances and precursors in Ukraine may depend on it, and to take appropriate measures to combat such crimes. We also agree with the opinion of the United Nations, which was published in the World Drug Report 2023, that corruption and drug trafficking are related, mutually reinforcing and complementary crimes. It was established that international experience must be adapted to the specifics of an individual country.External factors affecting the drug market in Ukraine were outlined (war, internally displaced persons, the state of combating illegal drug trafficking in neighboring countries, interaction with foreign law enforcement agencies to prevent illegal drug trafficking). Statistics presented in the United Nations World Drug Report 2023 have been studied and highlighted. Especially vulnerable groups of people for drug addiction have been singled out.