Illicit drug trade between North America and Africa: routes, patterns and responses
This webinar discusses new evidence on the dynamics of this illicit trade and its implications for trans-Atlantic cooperation.
Date: 2026-10-07
Time: 14:00 to 16:00
Venue: Online
Across Africa, recent drug busts have uncovered laboratories – many linked to Mexican drug cartels – that are being used to mass produce crystal meth. This signals a dangerous new trend in the illicit drug trade linking North America and Africa.
This webinar will explore the dynamics of this illicit trade. Speakers will share empirical evidence on the drivers, routes and patterns of the criminal markets for drugs, the nature of state responses and the implications for trans-Atlantic cooperation.
This event is co-hosted by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) and the Africa Centre for Strategic Studies (ACSS).
Simultaneous interpretation will be available in English, French, and Portuguese.
Moderators:
- Dr Catherine Kelly, Director of Engagement, ACSS
- Martin Ewi, Senior Research Fellow, ISS
Panelists:
- Colonel Ze-Ev Krein, South African Police Service (SAPS)
- Pat Phillips, Maritime Program Analyst, Law Enforcement at Sea Branch, US Africa Command Counter-drug Element
- Captain (ret) Pedro Santana, Cabo Verde Coast Guard
- Wendy Williams, Associate Research Fellow, ACSS
- Dr Oluwole Ojewale, Senior Researcher, ISS
