Vienna, March 12. During the 69th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), currently being held in Vienna, Cuba presented the results of the work carried out by the country in 2025 to combat the trafficking and use of illicit substances.
Colonel Héctor González, Deputy Head of the Anti-Drug Unit of the Technical Investigations Department of the Ministry of the Interior, informed the Commission that, as a result of the enforcement actions carried out in 2025, Cuba succeeded in thwarting 8 operations involving speedboats that sought to smuggle drugs and traffick people, as well as neutralizing 31 operations across the air border, involving passengers, cargo, and postal shipments. More than 2 tons of drugs were seized, most of which were associated with “shipments not destined for the country” and consisted primarily of marijuana, cocaine, synthetic cannabinoids, and methamphetamines.
He also noted that 46 different synthetic cannabinoids have been identified in Cuba, and based on this, research projects were carried out that contributed to finding solutions to the challenges of combating these substances, such as the development of a spray containing cannabinoid vapors for training dogs. All training centers were supplied with the synthetic substances that have been circulating in the country; the canine units were tested, and their olfactory ability to detect the new cannabinoids was validated.
The Cuban delegate noted that the growing impact of synthetic drugs requires a joint and coordinated response, and emphasized that international cooperation, information sharing, and technical assistance are indispensable pillars for addressing these new psychoactive substances.
At the conclusion of his remarks, the Deputy Head of Cuba’s Anti-Drug Agency stated that the country has demonstrated that—even under adverse conditions—it is possible to maintain a comprehensive policy based on prevention, education, and cooperation.
(EmbaCubaAustria)