Vice President Zoffili Discusses Fight Against Drug Trafficking During Visit To Washington, DC.

Washington DC; February 2026: The Organization For Security And Cooperation In Europe (OSCE) PA Vice-President and Special Representative on Combating Organised Crime Eugenio Zoffili (Italy) concluded an official visit to the United States last week, meeting with members of Congress, senior U.S. administration officials and law-enforcement leaders to reinforce co-operation against organized crime and drug trafficking.

On 04th February, Zoffili addressed the Inter-Parliamentary Security Forum at Capitol Hill, at the invitation of former Albanian Minister of Defence Fatmir Mediu. On the margins of the event, he met with Representatives Pete Sessions and Robert B. Aderholt, Head of the U.S. Delegation to the OSCE PA Joe Wilson, Mike Rulli and Rosa DeLauro, as well as member of the U.S. Helsinki Commission Steve Cohen.

“The fight against organised crime and drug trafficking is a shared priority”, Zoffili said. “We must intensify international co-operation, promote the exchange of best practices, and apply a ‘follow the money’ approach to dismantle criminal networks. The Rome conference will further strengthen dialogue and concrete action across the OSCE region”.

During his visit, Zoffili also met with Ambassador of Italy to the United States Marco Peronaci and Deputy Chief of Mission Stefano Bianchi.

In his capacity as Special Representative, he has held meetings with senior officials from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the U.S. Department of Justice, the Organization of American States (OAS), the White House National Security Council, and the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. He also visited the Heritage Foundation for discussions on security and anti-drug strategies.

Discussions focused on strengthening international co-operation against transnational criminal organisations, addressing the spread of synthetic drugs such as fentanyl, and enhancing legislative and operational co-ordination. The visit also advanced preparations for the Second International Conference on Combating Organised Crime in the OSCE Region, to be held in Rome next May and dedicated to the fight against drug trafficking.

Earlier, in September 2023, OSCE PA President Pia Kauma (Finland) appointed Eugenio Zoffili (Italy) as Special Representative on Combating Organised Crime.

Eugenio Zoffili’s traits includes:

• Build political momentum for stepping up efforts to prevent and counter transnational organized crime across the OSCE region by mobilising relevant parliamentary efforts, encouraging the adoption of ambitious national policies, promoting collaboration in relevant international forums and advancing the implementation of serious crime-related international commitments, such as those stemming from the Palermo Convention.

• Bring increased visibility within the Assembly of the measures required to better prevent and fight transnational organized crime in our region, highlighting the urgency of addressing the multifaceted security threats posed by mafias and organised crime through innovative, co-operative and comprehensive efforts in the parliamentary, law enforcement and social spheres.

• Promote goal-oriented collaboration between the executive and parliamentary bodies of the OSCE, with the aim to duly integrate effective policies aimed at preventing and countering organised crimes into the organisation’s activities.

• In co-ordination with relevant OSCE PA Committees and Special Representatives, facilitate the exchange of parliamentary best practices and lessons learned in this context, including by engaging with experts, academia, the business community, civil society, and youth.

Team Maverick.