Breaking news (462)
Meeting of the Joint Working Group of CARICC and EC RATS SCO
On November 2, 2022, in Almaty, a meeting was held between the Joint Working Group of the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre for Combating Illicit Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Their Precursors and the Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
At the meeting, the participants exchanged views on the emerging drug situation in the Central Asian region and Afghanistan in 2021 and the first half of 2022. Topical problems of the relationship between terrorism and drug trafficking, including in the field of financing terrorism with funds obtained from drug trafficking, are considered.
As a result of the event, relevant recommendations were prepared for the competent authorities of the RATS SCO and CARICC member states.
CARICC hosted a regular working meeting of the steering committees established under the component to strengthen border cooperation of the UNODC Program for the countries of Central Asia
On October 27, 2022, on the basis of CARICC, the regular annual working meeting of the steering committees established under the UNODC component of the Border Cooperation Program in Central Asia was held in a hybrid format.
The working meeting was attended by representatives of border agencies, customs services, ministries of internal and foreign affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Embassy of Japan in the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as experts from the UNODC Program Offices in Central Asia and CARICC.
During this event, the UNODC Regional Representative for Central Asia, Ms. Ashita Mittal, the Director of CARICC, Mr. Miralizoda Rustam Aziz, and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr. Jun Yamada, delivered a welcoming speech.
The session was moderated by the International Coordinator of the UNODC Program in Central Asia, Mr. Yusuf Kurbonov.
During the meeting, delegations provided information on the implementation of the UNODC Program component and its impact on the situation in the field of border security and cross-border cooperation in the region, the activities of the established centers for coordination and monitoring of border interaction offices, as well as information on the results achieved, including planned activities provided under the Border Cooperation Component.
As a result of the event, the main priorities of the competent authorities of the Central Asian states to strengthen state borders were identified, recommendations were developed containing regional responses, including a strategy and joint action plans, including the further development of the UNODC Program component using the potential of CARICC.
The participants stressed the importance of interaction through the expansion of international cooperation, the exchange of positive experience and the further development of relations in the field of border security and combating transnational drug crime.
CARICC delegation took part in the annual meeting of the Steering Committee of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Program for the countries of Central Asia for 2022-2025
On October 26, 2022 in Almaty, the CARICC delegation headed by the Acting Director Mr. Yazlyev A.O. took part in the meeting of the Steering Committee of the Program of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime for the countries of Central Asia for 2022-2025.
This meeting was organized by the Regional Office of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in Central Asia with the assistance of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The main purpose of the event was to discuss the main achievements of the UNODC Program for Central Asia in 2021-2022, as well as agree on the Work Plan for 2023 under the Program.
The event was attended by heads and employees of prosecution authorities, border agencies, customs services, ministries of internal and foreign affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, the Republic of Uzbekistan, international partners, donors, as well as experts from the UNODC Program Offices in Central Asia and CARICC.
Welcoming remarks were made by the UNODC Regional Representative for Central Asia, Ms. Ashita Mittal, the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr. Kairat Umarov, and the UN Resident Coordinator in Kazakhstan, Ms. Michaela Friberg-Storey.
The experts of the UNODC Program Offices in Central Asia presented the project Action Plans for 2023 for the implementation of the five components of the UNODC Program for the countries of Central Asia for 2022-2025.
In addition, the participants and heads of delegations presented presentations and reports on the main areas of cooperation with UNODC, in particular, the provision of advisory and logistical assistance, including the organization of training seminars and training sessions for employees of the competent authorities in the region, as well as a number of proposals for consideration and their possible inclusion in the draft UNODC 2023 Action Plan.
The participants emphasized the importance of interaction through the expansion of international cooperation, the exchange of positive experience and the further development of relations in the field of combating transnational organized crime.
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Working meeting with a representative of the UN Security Council Monitoring Group
On October 25, 2022, the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Center for Combating Illicit Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Their Precursors (CARICC) hosted a meeting of CARICC staff with the expert of the Monitoring Group for Analytical Support and Enforcement of Sanctions of the UN Security Council Mr. Ashetov Talgat.
Analysts of the Information and Analytical Division, Mr. Anuar Yergazin and Mr. Avazzoda Barzu, as well as a specialist of the Division to coordinate international operations, including controlled deliveries, Mr. Elzod Rakhmatov, took part from CARICC.
During the meeting, the parties exchanged information on the ongoing work to combat drug trafficking, including in terms of the latest trends taking place on drug trafficking routes from Afghanistan, as well as countering terrorism.
In addition, CARICC analyst Mr. Avazzoda Barzu showed a presentation on the topic: “The drug situation in Afghanistan and Central Asian countries in 2021”.
The meeting participants also discussed a number of current and future issues which are in the mutual interest.
About participation of the CARICC delegation in Paris Pact Expert Working Group meeting on Precursors
The delegation of the CARICC headed by the Director of the CARICC, Major General of Militia Miralizoda Rustam Aziz participated in the Paris Pact Expert Working Group meeting on Precursors, which took place on October 24-25, 2022 in Bucharest, Romania.
The meeting reviewed current trends, routes and methods of smuggling precursor chemicals used in the production of heroin and methamphetamine.
Director of CARICC informed about the latest trends in seizures of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors in Central Asia. He drew attention to the growth of drug production in Afghanistan, which is confirmed by the increase in seizures of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors in the CARICC member States. He noted that the analysis of trends in the development of the drug situation in the space of the CARICC member states predicts its further development.
In order to intensify measures to prevent the illicit trafficking of precursors in the region and their supply to Afghanistan, Director of CARICC proposed a number of recommendations:
- Conducting training courses for law enforcement officers of the region on the identification and suppression of illicit trafficking in precursors.
- Establishment of close regional and international cooperation in the fight against illicit trafficking of precursors, including within the framework of the Regional Operation "Substitution".
- Regular exchange of information in real time between competent authorities for an efficient response and prevention of leaks of chemical precursors.
- Establishing interaction of law enforcement agencies with firms/manufacturers of precursors to prevent leakage of precursors.
- Organization of trainings on control delivery operations of precursors in Central Asia with the participation of the competent authorities of the CARICC member States.
- Strengthening control measures over the production (import/export/transit) of precursors in order to prevent their illegal import into Afghanistan.
At the end of the meeting, participants adopted the recommendations of the Paris Pact working group of experts on precursors.
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On the participation of CARICC in the eleventh session of the UNTOC Conference of Parties
From October 17 to 21, 2022, the 11th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNCT) took place in a hybrid format, at which about 1,500 participants from 131 countries, including 22 international organizations and 193 civil society organizations, registered.
At this event in an online format, CARICC analyst Komilzoda Sh. took part.
Ms. Gada Wali, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, addressed the participants of the event with a welcoming speech.
In her presentation, the representative of UNODC emphasized that “UNOCT and its Protocols are powerful tools for building the resilience of States and societies to crime. It's time to step up their implementation."
The event considered a number of thematic resolutions, including the implementation of provisions on international cooperation, technical assistance to prevent and combat transnational organized crime that damages the environment.
Among other thematic issues, the Conference of the Parties considered strengthening international cooperation in combating all forms of transnational organized crime, including human trafficking, smuggling of migrants, trafficking in firearms, cybercrime, financial and environmental crimes.
The participants exchanged views, stressed the importance of close international cooperation in combating transnational organized crime and terrorism between law enforcement agencies and international partners.
About participation of the CARICC delegation in the high-level international conference in Dushanbe
On October 18-19, 2022, the CARICC delegation headed by Director R.Miralizoda took part in the high-level international conference “International and Regional Border Security and Management Cooperation to Counter Terrorism and Prevent the Movement of Terrorists” in Dushanbe.
President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres opened the event. High-level representatives of the European Union, OSCE, China, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Qatar and other states also made presentations at the conference.
The conference was aimed at promoting international cooperation to improve border and customs controls in order to prevent and detect the movement of terrorists, including foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs), illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons, conventional ammunition and explosives, nuclear, chemical, biological or radiological weapons and materials.
This forum supported the implementation of additional measures on border security and management, criminal justice, and information sharing in accordance with international humanitarian law, international human rights law and international refugee law.
The conference was an integral part of the “Dushanbe process”, which was held in 2018 following the results of the first high-level international conference “Combating terrorism and violent extremism” (Dushanbe, May 3-4, 2018) by the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan in cooperation with institutions UN, OSCE and European Union.
Within the framework of the conference, CARICC Director R.Miralizoda made his statement, in which he drew attention of the participants to the relationship between terrorism and drug trafficking in the financing of terrorist activities at the expense of funds received from the drug business.
In this context, the Director of CARICC advocated close international cooperation in the following matters:
- capacity building in conducting bilateral and multilateral anti-drug operations;
- study of topical problems of the relationship between terrorism and drug trafficking, with the identification and blocking of the use of the Internet space by terrorist organizations and drug groups to realize their criminal intentions.
At the end of the conference, the Dushanbe Declaration on Border Security and Management Cooperation to Counter Terrorism and Prevent the Movement of Terrorists was adopted.
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On participation in the Central Asian regional conference on strengthening cooperation between law enforcement agencies in the field of combating human trafficking
In Astana, the Republic of Kazakhstan, from October 4 to October 5, 2022, an international conference was held on strengthening cross-border cooperation between law enforcement agencies of Central Asia in the field of combating human trafficking.
The event was organized by the OSCE Program Offices in Astana and Dushanbe.
During the conference, topical issues in the field of combating human trafficking in the countries of the region, best practices and experience of the OSCE participating countries in strengthening the institutional response of states to cases of human trafficking were considered.
The format of the conference included discussions, exchange of experience, knowledge and best practices on combating human trafficking in the OSCE region with a focus on Central Asia.
The conference was attended by CARICC analyst Barzu Avazzoda, who made a presentation on "CARICC as a leading platform for regional and international cooperation in combating drug trafficking and cross-border drug crime."
As a result of the event, the participants developed a number of recommendations to simplify the exchange of information and strengthen cross-border cooperation between law enforcement agencies in Central Asia in the field of combating human trafficking.
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A regular meeting of the Working Group of Experts was held in CARICC of the Paris Pact on cross-border cooperation in support of the first thematic section of the Vienna Declaration
On October 5-6, 2022, a regular meeting of the Working Group of Experts of the Paris Pact on Cross-Border Cooperation was held in a hybrid format on the basis of CARICC in support of the first thematic section of the Vienna Declaration.
The event was attended by over 80 executive and senior level delegates from 24 countries and 10 international organizations.
The welcoming speech was made by Acting Directors of CARICC Mr. Atageldy Ovezovich Yazlyev, Head of the European Union Drug Prevention Program in Central Asia (CADAP-7) Mr. Ernest Robello, UNODC Central Asia International Program Coordinator Mr. Yusuf Kurbonov and UNODC Paris Pact Program Coordinator Mr. Riku Lehtovuori.
The meeting was chaired by the Head of the Coordination Division of the UNODC Border Control Office, Mr. Tofik Murshudlu.
Issues of cooperation were discussed during the two-day event on the elimination of international drug trafficking in the world and the fight against cross-border crime.
In accordance with the program of the meeting, a CARICC employee showed a presentation on the topic: "CARICC activities in support of promoting coordination and data exchange."
As a result of the event, the expert working group of the Paris Pact on cross-border cooperation identified and developed priority recommendations for all participants in the meeting.
In particular, it is recommended to continue to expand and strengthen the exchange of information at the strategic, operational and thematic levels between partners in the Paris Pact, to use the existing secure communication channels for the exchange of information between Interpol and the World Customs Organization, regional and international law enforcement organizations / centers, such as JPC, CARICC , SELEC, GCC-CIC, SCO and others, it is recommended to strengthen mutual cooperation to achieve significant results aimed at combating drug trafficking, as well as other areas in the anti-drug field.
The participants emphasized the importance of interaction through the expansion of international cooperation, the exchange of positive experience and the further development of relations in the field of combating transnational drug crime.
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CARICC held the next national simulation training on combating human trafficking on migration routes
In the period from September 19 to 23, 2022, the third national simulation training for practitioners on combating human trafficking along migration routes was held on the basis of CARICC.
The organizers were the Law Enforcement Academy under the General Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Karaganda and Almaty Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Academy of the Border Guard Service of the National Security Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan, CARICC, the US Embassy in the Republic of Kazakhstan, the OSCE Program Office in Nur-Sultan and Winrock International.
The event was attended by over a hundred representatives of special and law enforcement agencies, social services, labor inspection, non-governmental organizations of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as international organizations.
Welcoming remarks were made by the Director of the Institute for Professional Training of the Academy of Law Enforcement Agencies under the General Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr. Akaev Magomed Magomedzapirovich, the Head of the OSCE Program Office in Nur-Sultan, Mr. Volker Frobart, Acting Directors of CARICC Mr. Yazlyev Atageldy Ovezovich, as well as Director of Winrock International Ms. Eleanor Valentine.
The format of the simulation training provided for the creation of conditions and situations aimed at simulating the actual commission of a criminal act in order to develop practical skills for specialists in the timely detection, methods of detention, suppression and methods of investigating certain types of crimes and assisting their victims, as well as to develop further measures to solve problems and problematic issues related to human trafficking, including their involvement in drug trafficking.
One of the main tasks of the simulation training was to develop methods of interaction within the framework of interdepartmental investigative and operational groups to identify persons involved in illegal human trafficking and drug trafficking.
The participants of the simulation training exchanged expert opinions, experience and best practices on the issues of investigation and suppression of crimes related to illegal trafficking of people and their exploitation in clandestine laboratories, as well as coercion to transport narcotic drugs across the state border.
Participants and organizers of the training noted the high practical value of events held in this format.
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On the meeting in CARICC with Lisa A. Johnson, Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
In Almaty on 23 September 2022, CARICC delegation met with the US delegation headed by Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) Ms Lisa A. Johnson.
At the meeting, CARICC Director R. Miralizoda informed the American side about the current activities, achievements and proposed initiatives of the Center, which is one of the large-scale projects of UNODC.
It was noted that since 2020, under the coordination of CARICC, together with partners, 7 short-term anti-drug operations have been successfully carried out, more than 700 kg of drugs have been seized. Currently, CARICC acts as a link in the planning and implementation of four more operational developments.
Director of the Center drew attention to the analysis of the information received by CARICC, which testifies to the deterioration of the drug situation in the region, primarily in relation to the threat of the spread of synthetic drugs, including using the Internet.
Taking into account the development of the drug situation in the region against the background of the current situation in Afghanistan, it was proposed to make wider use of CARICC's capabilities to implement new UNODC initiatives in Central Asia.
In turn, Ms Lisa A. Johnson said that the United States has been one of the main donors to CARICC since the launch of the UNODC project "On the Establishment of CARICC". She expressed hope for the further development of CARICC together with its member states in organizing its activities and conducting anti-drug operations. She noted that the joint funding of the Center by its member states will be the next stage in the development of CARICC as a regional information and coordination tool to combat transnational challenges and drug trafficking threats.
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About the meeting at the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction
On September 20, 2022, in Lisbon (Portugal), a meeting of the CARICC delegation headed by the Director Major General of Militia R.Miralizoda with the delegation of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) headed by the Director A.Goosdeel took place.
The meeting was organized in accordance with the Plan of Main Events of CARICC for the 2nd half of 2022 in order to discuss priority areas of cooperation between the two centers.
The CARICC Director informed the EMCDDA delegation about the Center's current activities and proposed initiatives.
In order to intensify practical interaction with the specified European analytical center, the head of CARICC proposed:
- to establish direct contacts between CARICC and EMCDDA for the exchange of information and experience;
- - carry out a regular exchange of information on combating the spread of synthetic drugs in the countries of Central Asia and the European Union.
In turn, the EMCDDA experts informed about the trends in the development of the drug situation in the countries of the European Union, including against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic and the post-COVID period. The European side provided information on the spread of synthetic drugs in the Eurozone states, and expressed interest in monitoring the drug situation in Afghanistan.
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