The Fentanyl and Synthetic Drug Crisis: Strategies for Global Law Enforcement

Monday, October 20, 2025

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM MT

Location: 401/402, Colorado Convention Center

Featuring distinguished international and U.S. speakers, this panel will examine the global fight against synthetic drugs, including fentanyl, fentanyl analogues, and precursor chemical controls. Panelists will discuss U.S.-led collaborative strategies and initiatives aimed at disrupting drug trafficking networks, dismantling synthetic drug supply chains, and targeting narco-traffickers. The session will explore the synthetic drug crisis in the context of cross-border partnerships, enforcement efforts, and innovative prevention measures. Presenters will highlight both challenges and successes in reducing the production, trafficking, and abuse of synthetic drugs, while emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in addressing the impact of synthetic substances on American and global security.

Submitter(s)

Kara L. Rose

Senior Police Advisor
U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL)
Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Speaker(s)

Brendan Kelly

Director
Illinois State Police
DM

Dwayne McDonald

Deputy Commissioner
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Darrin Jones

Executive Director, Partnerships and Planning
Interpol
LZ

Lesley Ziman

Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary
U.S. Department of State, Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL)
Christian Mauricio Ortiz Elizalde

Special Supervisor
Mexican Federal Attorney General’s Office’s Criminal Investigation Agency (FGR-AIC)