Drug trafficking offences rise by nearly a quarter in first semester
Romanian authorities documented 6,666 cases related to illicit drug trafficking in the first five months, up 24.7% compared with the same period in 2025. Operations led to the dismantling of ten criminal networks.
Drug trafficking offences rise by nearly a quarter in first semester
In the January-May period, law enforcement documented 6,666 cases of illicit drug trafficking, a 24.7% increase compared with the same period of the previous year, according to data released on Friday by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI), reported by Radio România.
Officials from the institution argue that the trend reflects two phenomena: on the one hand, criminal groups are constantly adapting their methods to new market conditions, and on the other hand, institutional capacity for detecting and proving offences has been strengthened.
Over the course of five months, specialised units conducted 456 operations against organised networks. Within these, 1,278 home searches were carried out and ten structured criminal groups were dismantled.
Seizures made included nearly half a tonne of prohibited substances – 498 kilograms of drugs classified as risk and high-risk – along with 24,214 tablets and over 117 kilograms of plant material from unauthorised crops.
Another objective of the authorities was combating driving under the influence of drugs. A total of 17,731 people at the wheel were tested for consumption of psychoactive substances. The checks resulted in the discovery of 282 offences of driving under the influence and 392 cases involving trafficking or illicit consumption. At the same time, 333 driving licences were suspended for driving under the influence of drugs or other prohibited substances.
MAI announced significant investments in consolidating response capacity: expanding specialised units, developing analysis laboratories, extending drug-detection canine teams and equipping with mobile scanners and modern apparatus. Additionally, modernisation projects financed from national and European funds are underway.
The preventative component was also intensified. School safety and crime prevention structures organised 5,326 informational and preventative activities about the dangers of psychoactive substances, both in schools and in the community environment.
Source: Google News RO — Crime (ro)