A meeting of representatives of counter-narcotics units of law enforcement agencies of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan was organized at CARICC from 3 to 5 February 2025 to exchange information and experience in countering distribution of new synthetic drugs.

At the opening of the meeting CARICC Director A. Yazlyyev stated that taking into account current trend of drug situation development in Central Asian countries and the growing threat of spread of synthetic drugs, it becomes essential to exchange best practices in combating illicit drug trafficking, including detection and interdiction of activities of clandestine drug laboratories.

Results of the latest monitoring showed that the amount of psychotropic substances seized in CARICC Member States increased by 40.3%, the number of detected drug laboratories producing synthetic and other types of drugs went up by 16.1%.

During the three-day event participants were offered practical training on identification methods for narcotic drugs, psychotropic and potent substances and precursors, including ways to recognize it at border customs checkpoints.