Extradition Defence Against Drug Trafficking Allegations.
Interpol plays a substantial role in the global fight against drug trafficking by leveraging its vast network to locate suspects internationally and offering extensive resources to member states. Drug trafficking is continuously gaining importance in criminal prosecution. At Interpol’s 50th European Regional Conference in 2023, Interpol Secretary General Jürgen Stock stated that drug trafficking and consumption have increased to an unprecedented extent and that drugs are being seized in record numbers at European borders and ports.
Growers, producers, transporters, suppliers and dealers alike are targeted by prosecuting authorities and face relentless prosecution; making experienced legal assistance indispensable. Drug trafficking offences have a high penalty range and often lead to conviction, especially when combined with other forms of crime, such as money laundering or corruption. At Schlun & Elseven, we offer our extensive experience and legal skills to ensure our clients‘ Interpol Red Notices are successfully deleted. If you or a loved one are concerned about being targeted by Interpol for drug-related offences, contact our Extradition and Interpol team now for a confidential consultation.
Understanding Drug Trafficking Allegations
Drug trafficking covers several activities, such as the cultivation and production of illegal narcotics, the logistics and transport of drugs, as well as the sale, whether through street or online sales. A regular feature is that it extends across several national borders and is often planned and carried out in detail by a network of individuals and organisations. Frequent offences in connection with drug trafficking are:
- Illegal transport across national borders (smuggling).
- Conspiring with others to commit drug offences – such as planning the distribution of controlled substances or coordinating trafficking activities (drug-related conspiracy).
- Money laundering as a way to conceal the illegal proceeds, as well as bribery or coercion of public officials to ignore or facilitate operations.
Interpol’s Focus on Combatting Drug-Related Crime
Interpol provides comprehensive assistance to member states in the prosecution of drug trafficking. For instance, Interpol organizes global operations against drug trafficking and supports member states in analysing drug trafficking routes as well as determining the modi operandi and the criminal networks involved. To this point, Interpol also manages a drug analysis file, which stores specific information about:
- International criminal networks and their members and affiliates;
- Website addresses, telephone numbers, social media profiles and other media linked to drug trafficking networks;
- Financial transactions and cashflow;
- Locations associated with drug criminality.
Interpol’s National Central Bureaus (NCBs) and the Secretariat’s Regional Bureaus (RBs) also offer comprehensive training and operational support for police worldwide to better investigate drug trafficking.
The most common tool state authorities utilise when searching for a suspect is the Interpol Red Notice or Diffusion. Besides leading to an arrest and extradition to the requesting country, Interpol Red Notices can have various other consequences. Among the possible damage to your reputation, being the suspect of an Interpol Red Notice makes it a risk to travel internationally. It can also prevent you from opening a bank account or lead to freezing your existing bank account.
Schlun & Elseven: Experts in Interpol Matters
Drug trafficking is a particularly complex crime due to its many different stages and touches on many different aspects. Narcotics regulations, customs laws, and tax provisions can be equally decisive in handling a case. Therefore, an understanding of all the components and offences in question is essential to resolve allegations quickly and thoroughly and to persuade Interpol to remove a Red Notice or, alternatively, not to issue one in the first place through a preventive request.
Our lawyers take a proactive and informed approach to getting our client’s Red Notice deleted as quickly as possible. At Schlun & Elseven, we combine extensive experience with strategic planning and detailed legal expertise to secure the best possible outcomes for our clients.
Contact us now.
„Extradition & Interpol Lawyer – by Schlun & Elseven“ is a website for the Extradition & Interpol Taskforce of the renowned German Law firm Schlun & Elseven. Due to our extensive experience in worldwide extradition Law and various Interpol cases, we can offer full-service legal advice and comprehensive support you can trust.
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