The expansion of digital communication technolo- gies has created new pathways for drug trafficking operations. Criminal networks increasingly use public social media platforms to promote their activities while they use encrypted messaging systems to maintain operational contact. The combination of distributed digital networks and hybrid digital networks cre- ates major obstacles for conventional methods of conducting investigations. The research paper investigates how artificial intelligence (AI) technology works together with Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) methods to create automated systems that detect drug-related activities that occur online. The Narcotics Intelligence Platform aims to combine three technologies which include Natural Language Processing (NLP), computer vision, and network-based behavioral analytics. The article investigates the ethical and legal aspects which govern AI-based monitoring systems together with its associated governance structures.