Regional training course for law enforcement investigators of CARICC Member States, Observer States and counterparts on investigation of illicit trafficking of NPS facilitated by Darkweb and the use of cryptocurrencies was held in the premises of the Central Asian Regional Information Coordination Centre for Combating Illicit Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and their Precursors (CARICC) in Almaty on 17-21 February 2020.

The event was attended by representatives of competent authorities of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, the Republic of Uzbekistan and Mongolia, and also by SCO RATS.

The course was organized by the Strategic Police Matters Unit of the Transnational Threats Department of the OSCE Secretariat in cooperation with CARICC and with the support of the Nizhny Novgorod Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation.

Participants assessed that the training course is very relevant to countries of the region, as it addresses the use of information and communication technologies for criminal purposes, including those related to drug trafficking, including NPS.

Illicit use of cryptocurrency and Darkweb is becoming a challenge to states in the region. Such trainings contribute to professional development of employees of competent authorities of CARICC member and observer states and spread best practices to counter this threat.