From 29 to 30 July 2025, the Central Asian Regional Information Coordination Centre for Combating Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and their Precursors organized a Regional Consultative Workshop on the Development and Implementation of Early Warning Systems for Synthetic Drugs and NPS in a hybrid format.

The event was attended by representatives of law enforcement agencies, ministries of health, justice and forensic specialists from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, as well as international experts.

The seminar was organized jointly with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Regional Office for Afghanistan, Central Asia, Iran and Pakistan, with financial assistance from the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics Trafficking and Law Enforcement Affairs.

This seminar was prompted by the rapid spread of synthetic drugs in Central Asia. An alarming signal is the increasing detection of clandestine laboratories for the manufacture of synthetic and other drugs on the territory of CARICC member states, which indicates the intensification of synthetic drug production in the region.

Based on this threat, CARICC and the UNODC Regional Office are working on the possibility of introducing early warning systems (EWS), which will allow to intensify the exchange of information between the competent authorities on new types of drugs, carry out timely assessment of risks to public health, and develop adequate response to this threat.

At the end of the event, the participants prepared relevant recommendations.

From July 21 to 24, 2025, the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre (CARICC) conducted a specialized training seminar focused on the detection and prevention of the online trade in synthetic drugs, including transactions involving cryptocurrencies.

Held at the Academy of Law Enforcement Agencies under the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the seminar brought together representatives of law enforcement agencies from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

The event was organized in cooperation with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Office for Afghanistan, Central Asia, Iran and Pakistan, the Law Enforcement Academy, and with financial support from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.

Training was delivered by national experts from KazDream and Astana IT University, alongside an international expert from UNODC, who presented Belgium's experience in countering the trafficking of synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances (NPS), as well as the application of digital evidence in criminal investigations.

A key component of the seminar was a meeting between participants and the leadership of the Law Enforcement Academy, led by First Vice-Rector K. Seitenov, and the staff of the Institute of Professional Training. Discussions centered around strategies for combating drug-related crime, joint trainings, research cooperation, and future educational programs.

Throughout the four-day seminar, a wide array of digital tools and investigative methodologies were demonstrated using real-life case studies. Solutions presented included cutting-edge software for open-source intelligence (OSINT), digital profiling, cryptocurrency tracking, communication analysis, and facial recognition.

Participants actively engaged with the demonstrations and discussions, which highlighted the growing role of technology in combating organized online drug trade. The final session featured successful practical applications of the demonstrated software solutions. Attendees expressed high appreciation for the training’s applied focus and signaled their readiness to incorporate the tools into operational work.

At the invitation of the International Anti-Drug Policy Research Center of Shanghai University, CARICC Advisor A. Erkaboev participated in the Fourth International Conference on Drug Policy, held in a hybrid format on July 9-10, 2025 in Shanghai.

The conference, held under the theme “Synergy: New Strategies, New Technologies, and New Measures in Global Drug Control,” brought together representatives from Chinese government agencies, international organizations, and leading analytical centers to discuss current challenges and innovations in global drug policy.

During the event, Advisor Erkaboev delivered a report outlining recent trends in the drug situation across CARICC member states. He highlighted the worsening drug environment, driven by persistent trafficking and the rising threat posed by synthetic substances. Of particular concern, he noted, is the spread of carfentanil - a synthetic opioid estimated to be 5,000 times more potent than heroin - across several CIS countries.

In light of these alarming developments, Erkaboev underscored CARICC’s collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Office to explore the establishment of pilot regional early warning systems in Central Asia. These systems are designed to facilitate timely, evidence-based responses to emerging synthetic drug threats, enhancing the capacity of national authorities to implement effective and science-driven countermeasures.

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Office for Afghanistan, Central Asia, Iran and Pakistan held an online launch of the World Drug Report 2025 on 27 June 2025 to coincide with the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking observed annually on 26 June.

Mr. Oliver Stolpe, Head of the UNODC Regional Office, representatives of competent authorities of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, and international experts joined the event.

Ms. Salomé Flores, Head of the Information Centre for Researching and Analyzing Transnational Threats Related to Drugs and Crime, presented key points of the World Drug Report 2025 and briefed participants on the global and regional drug situation dynamics.

Experts of the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre (CARICC) made a detailed report on drug situation in the region, providing analytical data on the following areas:

Main figures on drug crime;

Structure of seizures of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors in 2024 and the first quarter of 2025.

Special attention was paid to the growing spread of synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances (NPS). In this regards, participants also received a presentation on current direction of CARICC work related to assessment of feasibility of establishing a pilot regional early warning system to monitor threats related to synthetic drugs.

Establishment of this system will allow:

Increase preparedness of law enforcement and specialized agencies to respond to changes in drug situation;

Assist in development of effective, evidence-based and rapid responses;

Strengthen cooperation among countries in the region to share information and respond to new challenges.

Evaluating relevant trends of drug situation development in Central Asia participants underscored necessity to boost effectiveness of CARICC activities as a key mechanism for regional security and coordination of efforts in combating transnational drug threat.