Costa Rica, from 5 to 7 November 2025
From 5 to 7 November 2025, the INCB GRIDS Programme strengthened regional cooperation against synthetic drugs through its participation in the OAS/CICAD Expert Group on Chemical Substances and Pharmaceutical Products, held in Costa Rica.
The GRIDS Drug Liaison Officer for the Americas delivered targeted presentations on INCB Special Alerts and Notices, intelligence-led tools, and emerging trafficking trends involving new psychoactive substances (NPS) and synthetic opioids. These sessions supported participants from government authorities, international organizations, and the private sector in improving their capacity to identify and interdict illicit substances.
Discussions also highlighted the critical role of public–private partnerships in countering synthetic drug threats. Representatives from Costa Rica’s logistics sector expressed interest in strengthening collaboration with the INCB to further enhance security systems and risk-management strategies, underscoring the value of multi-stakeholder engagement.
The meeting reinforced the importance of regional intelligence sharing and cross-sector cooperation in addressing the evolving challenges posed by synthetic drugs across the Americas.
Participation of the INCB GRIDS Programme was made possible through generous support of the United States Government, Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement.
The Global Rapid Interdiction of Dangerous Substances (GRIDS) Programme and Project ION and OPIOIDS Project operate under the International Narcotics Control Board's unique Article 35 (1961) treaty mandate that supports Governments' capabilities to exchange information on trafficking, illicit manufacture, marketing and sales of NPS, synthetic opioids, fentanyls and related chemicals, by providing real-time communication, and capabilities to facilitate information exchange and intelligence development with the aim to interdict distribution of dangerous substances.
Click here to learn more about the GRIDS Programme
Click here to learn more about the OPIOIDS Project
Click here to learn more about the Project ION
