Leveraging the increased mobility afforded by globalization and rapid advancements in transportation and communication technologies, transnational organized crime groups now operate with unprecedented scope and sophistication. Driven by factors such as economic instability, corruption, high unemployment, educational deficiencies and institutional vulnerabilities, organized crime constitutes one of the most complex and pressing threats to national, regional, and international security.

Organized criminal groups are typically engaged in a range of illicit activities, including trafficking of narcotic substances, smuggling of migrants, firearms and ammunition, cultural property, counterfeit goods, tobacco, and alcohol. They are also actively involved in corruption, financial crimes, and laundering of criminal proceeds. In recent years, their operations have increasingly extended into cyberspace, exploiting digital platforms to perpetrate information technology related offenses.

Given the transnational characteristics of organized crime, it is evident that no state can tackle this phenomenon in isolation. The globalized nature of these networks necessitates a coordinated, multi-dimensional, and cooperative international response. In this regard, Türkiye actively participates in numerous bilateral, regional, and multilateral initiatives aimed at strengthening international cooperation in the fight against organized crime, particularly those taking place under the auspices of the United Nations, and shares its extensive experience in this field on every available platform.

The most comprehensive international instruments in the field of combating organized crime are the “United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime” and its three Protocols. As a party to the Convention and its Additional Protocols, Türkiye has adopted comprehensive domestic measures and regularly submits national implementation reports to the Secretariat of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in line with its treaty obligations. Within the field of counter-narcotics, Türkiye is party to all major international drug control treaties, including the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961) and its 1972 Protocol, the Convention on Psychotropic Substances (1971) and the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (1988).

Türkiye is also a signatory and ratifying party to several relevant Council of Europe instruments, including the Council of Europe Convention on Laundering, Search, Seizure and Confiscation of the Proceeds from Crime (1990), and the Council of Europe Convention on Laundering, Search, Seizure and Confiscation of the Proceeds from Crime and on the Financing of Terrorism (2005).

In the context of EU cooperation, the Agreement on Cooperation between EUROPOL and the Republic of Türkiye has been in force since July 2004, facilitating structured collaboration on organized crime and related security challenges.

Regionally, Türkiye is engaged in cooperative mechanisms within the Balkans and Black Sea regions, such as the Southeast European Law Enforcement Center (SELEC), and the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC).

A strong proponent of bilateral as well as global cooperation in tackling transnational threats, Türkiye has concluded bilateral cooperation agreements with various countries, covering counter-narcotics, counter-terrorism, and organized crime. These agreements facilitate information and intelligence exchange, and capacity-building initiatives, including training programs for law enforcement personnel.

Within the framework of these bilateral cooperation agreements, law enforcement officers from Türkiye and other countries are brought together regularly through Joint Commission/Working Group mechanisms to diversify channels of security cooperation. Additionally, in order to ensure the speed and confidentiality essential for the effective management of security issues, the Turkish National Police appoints liaison officers to various countries, and, similarly, police officers from different countries are accredited as liaison officers in Türkiye.

Situated at the crossroads of major durg trafficking routes between Asia and Europe, Türkiye is targeted by traffickers as transit country. This geographical reality has compelled our country to assume a prominent role in counter-narcotics efforts, both regionally and globally. Türkiye’s resolute stance against the use of its territory for drug trafficking has earned international recognition, and its operational successes have disrupted trafficking networks, led to significant seizures of illicit substances, and forced criminal organizations to alter their routes.

The Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Türkiye on Precursors and Chemical Substances Frequently Used in the Illicit Manufacture of Narcotic Drugs or Psychotropic Substances entered into force on 28 April 2004. In line with its national priorities and EU candidacy obligations, Türkiye has adopted six Strategy Documents and seven Plans of Action between 2006-2024, aligning domestic efforts with evolving challenges and international best practices. The latest iteration, the 2024–2028 National Strategy Document and Action Plan for Combating Drugs, outlines a holistic road map for combating drugs until 2028.

Türkiye also plays an active role in key international mechanisms addressing the drug problem.

Türkiye maintains particularly close cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and is one of its significant donors. The UNODC Regional Office for Southeast Europe (ROSEE), which aims to support capacity building efforts in the region, has been operational in Istanbul since March 2023. Additionally, Türkiye actively participates in the meetings of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), which guides UNODC's work on the Drug Control Program within the framework of the fight against the drug problem.

Türkiye is also involved in the “Pompidou Group”, which is a platform for consultation and cooperation between member states’ senior officials responsible for combating the drug problem, established under the Council of Europe.

A flagship initiative in Türkiye’s regional leadership is the establishment of the Turkish International Academy Against Drugs and Organized Crime (TADOC), in collaboration with the UNODC. Located in Ankara, TADOC functions as a training and resource center, offering seminars and training programs on combating trafficking and organized crime to law enforcement and judicial personnel from Türkiye as well as Balkan countries and various signatories to bilateral cooperation agreements. Complementing this, the Counter Narcotics Training Academy (NEA) functions as the sole national authority for training in the field of drug smuggling and chemical precursor control. NEA is recognized as a pioneering academic institution in the region, offering programs tailored to evolving threats and regional needs, delivered by expert personnel and supported by state-of-the-art infrastructure.

Türkiye has joined the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) in 2007. The EMCDDA underwent a restructuring in 2024 and now functions as the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA). Türkiye actively participates in its monitoring and research initiatives.

Türkiye recognizes that the fight against drug trafficking is only one part of the world drug problem. As long as the cultivation and manufacture of illicit drugs as well as demand remain high, it is difficult to achieve success in fight against this problem. In this regard, Türkiye shares the view that a balanced approach should be adopted in the fight against the supply and demand of drugs.

Türkiye also strongly advocates for the recognition of the interlinkages between drug trafficking and terrorism. This position is widely acknowledged in multilateral fora, including the United Nations and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The terrorist organization PKK, for example, has long financed its activities through the trafficking of opiates and cannabis, particularly to European markets. Investigative findings, intelligence sources, and judicial operations—both domestic and in cooperation with international partners—have confirmed the PKK's involvement in drug production, transport, trafficking, and money laundering. The organization's entanglement in organized crime has been documented in numerous reports, including EUROPOL’s Terrorism Situation and Trend Report. In light of these findings, Türkiye underscores the need for an integrated international approach that links counter-narcotics efforts with counter-terrorism cooperation. Only through coordinated action and shared responsibility can the international community effectively dismantle the criminal-terrorist nexus and advance sustainable security.