On August 11-12, 2022, CARICC specialists, together with a representative of the Regional Program for Afghanistan and neighboring countries in Tashkent, conducted an assessment mission, combined with a one-day training on collecting and classifying information within the framework of the RO "Reflex" and "Substitution".

The event, organized on the basis of the NIACCN under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, was attended by senior officials of the NIACCN, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Border Troops of the State Security Service and the State Customs Committee of Uzbekistan.

During the working meeting, the specialists of the Center presented the results of the RO "Reflex-2021" and "Substitution. Phase 2” as well as plans for the implementation of the next stages of these regional operations.            

For reference: RO "REFLEX-2021" was held on the territory of the CARICC member states from October 4 to November 30, 2021 and was sent, like the three previous ones ("REFLEX-2017", "REFLEX-2018" and "REFLEX-2019”) to combat the spread of new psychoactive substances, psychotropic substances and other synthetic drugs. The second phase of Operation “Substitution”, carried out in 2017-2018, was aimed at identifying and stopping the smuggling of acetic anhydride, acetyl chloride, acetic acid and ammonium chloride into Afghanistan. At the same time, the main attention was directed to the transportation channels in the region, including rail, road and sea routes.

The parties noted that in the Central Asian region there is a multiple increase in the facts of detection of illicit trafficking in precursors, synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances. Conducting RO "Reflex" and "Substitution" undoubtedly contributes to strengthening regional cooperation and provides an opportunity for the participating states of the operation to exchange significant information in real time in order to conduct joint coordinated anti-drug actions.

CARICC experts conducted practical exercises on the collection and classification of information within the framework of the planned RO "Reflex-2022" and "Substitution. Phase 3. The participants also discussed the needs of the competent authorities of the Republic of Uzbekistan for the successful implementation of regional operations.