Organised Crime

Organised crime hinders prosperity and stability by eroding the rule of law, distorting economic development and violating human rights. UNODC works with States parties to the Organized Crime Convention to strengthen their responses to preventing and combating organized crime, both within their own domestic borders and within and between regions.

The largest thematic area for EU-UNODC operational cooperation (by value), the organised crime portfolio includes joint projects on human trafficking and migrant smuggling, wildlife and environmental crime, maritime crime and piracy, firearms trafficking, as well as projects addressing illicit trafficking and border management. Since the launch of the EU’s Global Illicit Flows Programme in 2019, UNODC has been actively engaged as a partner for implementation.

Learn more about UNODC’s work on organised crime.

Strengthening criminal investigation and criminal justice cooperation along the cocaine route (CRIMJUST I and II)

Airport Communication Project (AIRCOP VI)

EU and UNODC Joint Action promoting rule of law and good governance through targeted border control measures at ports and airports

UNODC implements the global CRIMJUST programme since 2016, aiming to  enhance law enforcement and judicial capacities, increase institutional integrity as well as strengthen international cooperation to support trans-regional counter-narcotic strategies and related organised crime.

AIRCOP is a multi-agency project implemented by UNODC in partnership with INTERPOL and the World Customs Organization (WCO). It aims at strengthening the capacities of international airports to target and intercept high-risk passengers, cargo and mail, as a contribution to the fight against illicit drugs and other illicit commodities, terrorism-related threats, and trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants.

In cooperation with UNODC’s multi-agency CCP and AIRCOP programmes, this action aims to enhance the capacities of authorities in the Western Balkans to fight organised crime, by supporting more effective and coordinated responses to illicit trafficking at seaports, land border crossings and international airports in the region.