On 13 October 2026, Latvian State Security Service (VDD) organised an informative seminar for representatives of Latvian enterprises on safety topics related to the circulation of explosives precursors, or substances and mixtures used for the unlawful manufacture of explosives.
The goal of the seminar organised by VDD was to raise awareness among enterprise representatives on how to identify suspicious attempts to purchase precursors and how to react if precursors have been stolen or lost. VDD is Latvia’s national point of contact for reporting such cases.
More than 80 participants from Latvian enterprises involved in the trade, manufacture or circulation of precursors participated in the seminar. Representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, State Plant Protection Service and the State Police also participated in the seminar.
Information on regulations* governing the circulation of explosives precursors in Latvia was provided during the seminar. In addition, VDD officers provided an overview of the current terrorist threat in Europe and Latvia, and introduced the function of the national point of contact designed for reporting suspicious transactions and incidents involving explosives precursors. The participants were also briefed on the latest developments in the field of explosives precursors, as well as on issues related to the circulation and security control of explosives precursors.
Taking into account that the State Police is involved in the explosives precursors circulation monitoring, its representatives provided the participants with the latest information on the conducted inspections and their findings.
Explosives precursors are specific substances and mixtures that can be used to unlawfully manufacture explosives. These substances are primarily sold for other purposes, such as for use in agriculture, construction or pharmacy. To limit the use of precursors for illegal purposes and preventively reduce terrorist attack organisation possibilities, the European Union has a centralised mechanism in place for the circulation of precursors.
VDD urges anyone who has information about plans or attempts to purchase components for the manufacture of explosives or explosive devices to provide this information to the Service. You can contact VDD via e-mail kontaktpunkts(abols)vdd.gov.lv or by calling the 24/7 phone +371 6720 8964.
VDD regularly organises similar informative seminars on safety topics related to the circulation of explosives precursors. Informative events of such kind constitutes a part of preventive measures in the field of counterterrorism, the goal of which is to educate the public by promoting a shared understanding of various security-related topics.
Information prepared by VDD
Illustrative photo, Magnific
* The conditions governing the circulation of explosives precursors are prescribed in the Law on the Movement of Explosives Precursors and Regulation (EU) 2019/1148 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the marketing and use of explosives precursors.
