CARICC Information and Analytical Unit staff members participated in an online meeting of the sub-working group on precursor interdiction established under the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats on 17 January 2024.

The event was chaired by Mr. Jonathan Earles, INL/GPP foreign affairs officer, coordinator of the sub-working group meetings.

CARICC made a presentation on current drug situation in CARICC Member States. It was pointed out that drug situation in the region is characterized by increased production of opiates and methamphetamine in Afghanistan, emergence of new types of synthetic drugs and distribution methods. Over 40 tons of precursors were seized in CARICC Member States in 9 months of 2023 alone, an increase of 144% or more compared to the same period in 2022. In this context, CARICC initiated Operation "Substitute" to identify and intercept smuggled shipments of acetic anhydride, acetyl chloride and ammonium chloride to Afghanistan. CARICC also expressed its readiness to conduct a subsequent phase of Operation "Substitute" in 2024, and to provide premises to host its international operational coordination unit.