Panče Toshkovski targets drug trafficking financial flows

North Macedonia’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Panče Toshkovski, has announced a strategic shift in the fight against drug trafficking, moving beyond simple seizures to target criminal structures and financial flows. At the opening of a specialized training program at the Police Academy in Skopje, Toshkovski emphasized that the goal is to track illicit money and seize assets acquired through crime.

The training, organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) with support from the U.S. Embassy, focuses on complex investigations, including the intersection of criminal and financial probes, asset forfeiture, and specialized investigative techniques. The initiative supports the implementation of the National Drug Strategy.

Toshkovski highlighted recent enforcement successes, including the seizure of over 40 tons of marijuana and cannabis biomass, as well as significant amounts of cocaine, heroin, and synthetic drugs like methamphetamine and MDMA. He noted that future efforts will prioritize dismantling the organizations and financial networks behind the trade.