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Meeteng of the CARICC Director and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan in the Republic of Kazakhstan
The meeting of the Director of the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre for combating illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors, Major-General of Militia R.A. Miralizoda and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan in the Republic of Kazakhstan B.D. Rejepov was held on October 13, 2021 in Almaty.
In the course of the meeting it was discussed practical cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking, information exchange, conducting international joint operations with the competent bodies of Turkmenistan, as well as other issues of CARICC activities.
Mr. R.A. Miralizoda has greeted the Turkmen part and informed them that in spite of the difficult situation in the world related to the pandemic, the Center had been actively functioning. Contest for the recruitment of vacant positions was held, staff from the professional employees of the competent bodies of the member states were selected. Over the past year, several international operations were conducted, including the "controlled delivery" method along the "northern route," during which hundreds of kilograms of heavy drugs were seized.
In addition, the Centre is undergoing repair work. It was also noted that a lot of work has been done to maintain the financial sustainability of the Centre. For this purpose, several high-level meetings were held with CARICC member-states, as well as with donor countries, and there are positive results achieved in this respect. The Director of the Centre also expressed readiness to carry out the necessary procedures, according to the normative documents, on rotation of the Director's position.
Mr. B.D. Rejepov thanked Mr. R.A. Miralizoda for the opportunity to organize the meeting, and noted that the Government of Turkmenistan attaches great importance to the activities of CARICC as a regional international organization for combating drug trafficking. Turkmenistan also actively operates in the field of countering illicit drug trafficking. In this regard Turkmenistan attaches great value to the activities of CARICC.
The Centre is a unique project, which has not only achieved certain results, but also has great prospects for expanding international cooperation in combating drug trafficking. During the meeting the Centre's headship rotation issues has been discussed as well.
As a result of the meeting, there was reached an agreement on further expansion of close international cooperation in countering illicit drug trafficking.
The meeting took place in the manner of a friendly and meaningful conversation.
CARICC Director attended the Paris Pact Initiative Expert Working Groups Meeting
On October 7-8, 2021, in Vienna, Austria. Mr. Rustam Aziz Miralizoda, Director of the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre for combating illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors (CARICC) together with Mr. Naweed Riaz, Head of the UNODC Programme Office in Kazakhstan, took part in the Experts Working Group meeting to support II thematic section of the Vienna Declaration: Detecting and blocking financial flows linked to illicit trafficking of opiates originating in Afghanistan (Paris Pact Initiative) (hereinafter referred to as the EWG meeting).
Delegations from 58 partner countries and 23 organizations forming the international coalition of the Paris Pact initiative participated in the EWG meeting.
Participants were provided with updates, research findings and selected initiatives of the UNODC Global Programme against Money Laundering, Proceeds of Crime and the Financing of Terrorism, the UNODC Afghan Opiate Trade Project (AOTP), the Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network for West and Central Asia (ARIN-WCA) and the Judicial Cooperation Network for South Caucasus and Central Asia (CASC).
The Director of CARICC presented information of the Centre's role in the international cooperation with respect to seizure and confiscation of criminal assets.
Mr. N. Riaz presented the practical aspects of international investigations in the field of anti-money laundering and asset recovery, focusing the participants' attention on the existing problems and ways to solve them.
A special focus was placed on countering the criminal use of virtual assets and Hawala-type money transfer systems as a financial means of illicit trafficking of Afghan opiates.
As a result of the event, participants have made recommendations with responses, including a strategy and plans for joint action.
Besides, on October 8 of this year within the framework of EWG meeting there was held the meeting of CARICC Director Mr. R. Miralizoda and Head of UNODC Office in the Republic of Kazakhstan Mr. N. Riaz with permanent representatives of CARICC member-states at international organizations in Vienna and donor countries.
The Director of CARICC informed the participants briefly about the activities of the Centre, its goals and objectives in assisting to coordinate and support the efforts of the countries of the region in combating the narcotic business and countering drug trafficking.
The attention of the heads of diplomatic missions was drawn to the possibility of making greater use of the Centre's potential in the fight against international drug-related crime at the regional and international levels.
CARICC attended the online meeting of the Regional Working Group on Forensics and Illicit Drugs (RWGFD)
On October 12th of 2021, representatives of the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre for combating illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors participated in the online meeting of the Regional Working Group on Forensics and Illicit Drugs (RWGFD), organized by the UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia and convened as part of the UNODC Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighboring Countries.
Delegations from the countries participating in the Regional Program (Islamic Republic of Iran, Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Republic of Uzbekistan), as well as experts from CARICC and UNODC global programs took part in the session excluding the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
At the event, the latest trends related to trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, their analogues and precursors in the West and Central Asian region, as well as the organization of forensic expert activities were discussed. The delegations of the participating countries of the Regional Working Group also presented information on national priorities in this field.
In the course of the online meeting, a representative of CARICC briefly presented information about the current activities of the Center, its capabilities, including the use of its potential in the anti-drug sphere.
The online meeting of the Regional Working Group resulted in recommendations with a regional response, including a strategy and joint action plans.
The participants emphasized the importance of interaction through increased international cooperation, the exchange of positive experiences and the further development of relations in the field of forensics and counter-narcotics.
Meeting of the CARICC Director Mr. Miralizoda R.A. and the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Turgumbayev E.Z.
The meeting of the Director of the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre for combating illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors, Major General of Militia Miralizoda R.A. and the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Lieutenant General of Police Turgumbayev E.Z., was held on October 1, 2021 in Almaty.
Over the course of the meeting the issues of practical cooperation in the combating of illicit drug trafficking, information exchange, international joint operations, and other issues of CARICC activities were discussed.
Mr. Miralizoda R.A. expressed gratitude to the Kazakhstan for the support provided to performing the Centre activities, including funding, and also expressed hope for further facilitation in addressing issues of the Organization's activities development.
Mr. Turgumbayev E.Z., Minister of Internal Affairs in his statement noted that “Kazakhstan attaches the utmost importance to the CARICC activities. Today the Centre is a unique project, which not only allowed to achieve certain results, but also has great prospects in the expansion of international cooperation in countering drug trafficking. We firmly convinced of the effectiveness of CARICC as a regional anti-drug structure. In this regard, Kazakhstan has assumed the obligations of the host country and makes voluntary contributions to the CARICC budget”.
As a result of the meeting, an agreement on further expansion of balanced and deliberate international cooperation in combating drug trafficking was reached.
The meeting took place in the manner of a friendly and meaningful conversation.
Meeting of CARICC employees with representatives of the European Union Programme on Border Management in Central Asia and Afghanistan (BOMCA-10)
On September 29, 2021, CARICC employees met via videoconference with representatives of the European Union Programme on Border Management in Central Asia and Afghanistan (BOMCA-10).
Mr. Azizbek Erkaboev, head of the Information and Analytical Division of CARICC, and the Centre's employees took part on behalf of CARICC.
On the part of BOMCA-10, the heads of the two components participated Mr. Vladimirs Zaguzovs and Mr. Donatas Škarnulis, as well as the regional project manager Mr. Maris Domins and the national coordinator in the Republic of Kazakhstan Mr. Amir Yelchibekov.
During the meeting, representatives of BOMCA-10 briefly informed about the progress of the objectives of its previous phase, and made a presentation on the implementation of activities under components I and II of the next phase (for 2021-2025), in particular goals and objectives, as well as its funding and beneficiaries.
Moreover, during the presentation, Mr. V. Zaguzovs informed the participants that this phase has acquired a new format with the participation of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
Mr. A. Erkaboyev summarized the current activities of the Centre as one of the large-scale and significant UNODC projects in Central Asia, as well as the information and analytical work of the Centre, including its improvement and the prospects of development plans.
The participants of the meeting also discussed several ongoing and future issues in the framework of further bilateral cooperation, during which suggestions and wishes had been expressed.
The representatives of BOMCA-10 emphasized the important role of CARICC in the anti-drug sector and expressed their opinion on the expansion of cooperation, including the proposal to make the CARICC venue available for workshops and trainings, as well as the possibility of involving its staff as experts in the activities organized within BOMCA-10.
CARICC's participation in the Extraordinary Session of the Subsidiary Bodies of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (HONLEA and the Subcommission)
The Extraordinary Sessions 2021 of the Subsidiary Bodies of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (HONLEA and the Subcommission) (hereinafter referred to as the Extraordinary Sessions), organized by the Secretariat of the Governing Bodies of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, took place in Vienna on September 20-24, 2021.
The event in 2021 taking into account the constraints under the COVID-19 conditions was held at the Vienna International Center in a hybrid format (with partial in-person participation of delegates combined with virtual participation via videoconference).
The CARICC delegation participated in the Extraordinary Sessions remotely and attended HONLEA meetings in the regional sections Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as the meeting with the participants of the Subcommission.
Participants at the Extraordinary Sessions pointed out that there is an increasing global trend of linkages between drug trafficking, corruption and other forms of organized crime, including human trafficking, trafficking in firearms, cybercrime, money laundering and, in some cases, terrorism, including money laundering in the context of terrorist financing.
The discussion of money laundering highlighted that the value of confiscated proceeds of crimes related to money laundering from drug trafficking globally remains low.
Participants' focus was also on the fact that the illegal use of information and communication technologies for illicit drug-related activities is growing in scope.
Furthermore, participants discussed the impact of COVID-19 in the regions on the implementation of efforts to prevent the aforementioned threats and the achievement of positive results of such efforts.
Discussions on the margins of the extraordinary session were preceded by introductory speeches and presentations by UNODC representatives, and the meetings included the sharing of best practices, challenges and lessons learned by member states while implementing all international drug policy obligations, and capturing the growing threats of drug proliferation on a global scale.
The week-long format of the event, which included a worldwide audience, there were held discussions with experts from member states in each regional group, UNODC experts, and international organizations.
Holding of training course on the use of specialized analytical software product
Within the framework of the components “Law enforcement systems for the collection, analysis and exchange of operational information in the field of drug control and law enforcement initiatives based on operational analytical data” and “Countering the traffic of opiates from Afghanistan through the northern route by strengthening the capacity of the main checkpoints and establishing border interaction offices” of Subprogramme 1 of the UNODC Program for Central Asian States during the period from September 20 to 24, 2021 in Tashkent, employees of the CARICC on the basis of the Faculty of Retraining and Advanced Training of the Customs Institute of the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan conducted a national training course of methods of processing and analyzing information using specialized (including “i2”) and open programs for employees of analytical departments of the competent bodies of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
According to the participants, the training matched the functional responsibilities of the trainees and proved greatly helpful in the daily service and military activities of the employees of the above-mentioned agencies.
The participants of the training noted the high level of organization of the event and the instructional staff as well as the interesting and simple presenting of the training material.
Training on the use of specialized analytical software products
In the period from August 30 to September 3, 2021 at the Training Center of the Border Service of the State National Security Committee of the Kyrgyz Republic in Osh, a training course was held on the operation of specialized software IBM i2 "iBase" and "Analyst's Notebook", as well as the navigation cartographic program "SAS.Planet" for employees of operational activities and information analytical subdivision of the Border Service.
The event was held with the participation of UNODC and CARICC specialists as part of the component on strengthening cross-border cooperation in Central Asia through the formation of information networks in the agencies responsible for ensuring border security of Sub-program 1 of the UNODC Program for Central Asia.
The participants acquired basic skills in organizing and conducting operational and strategic analysis in the presence of a large data set using specialized software IBM i2 "iBase" and "Analyst's Notebook", as well as the navigation cartographic program "SAS.Planet".
The sessions are organized based on a combination of several teaching methods, in particular: presentations, participant questionnaires and practical exercises.
As a result of the training course, students acquired and mastered the appropriate basic skills in organizing and conducting operational and strategic data analysis using the considered specialized software.
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ON ALLOCATION OF VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS BY THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN AND THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF CARICC ACTIVITIES
On an ongoing basis, CARICC is taking the necessary measures to ensure its financial sustainability.
In April 2021, jointly with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, donors' conference was held with the Heads of Diplomatic Missions and International Organizations accredited in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Additionally, in Nur-Sultan, there have been organized meetings between the Center leadership and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and the Heads of Diplomatic Missions, Embassies of foreign countries and Representative Offices on the issue of donor assistance.
In this respect, we heartened to note the allocation from the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation of regular voluntary contributions to the Center's budget in the amount of $100,000 each.
These mentioned contributions will provide support for the Center's target areas of activity.
Working meeting with the Heads of the Turkish International Academy against Drugs and Organized Crime and the Heads of the Departments for Combating Drug and Cybercrime of the Turkish National Police.
During the period from 3rd to 5th August 2021 in Ankara there were held the meeting of the CARICC Director Major General Miralizoda R.A., Head of the Program Office in the Republic of Kazakhstan of UNODC Mr. Naweed Riaz (connected online) with the Head of Turkish International Academy against Drugs and Organized Crime (TADOC) as well as with the Heads of Departments for Combating Drug and Cybercrime of the Turkish National Police.
Over the course of the meeting in TADOC the Head of the Academy Mr. Erdem Ozler and the Representative of the Turkish National Police expressed readiness to cooperate upon the relevant issues of drug countering, to arrange and hold international seminars and trainings as well as joint projects realization in this area for employees of competent bodies of the CARICC participant countries.
CARICC’s Director Miralizoda R.A. noted that the Center attaches a great importance to cooperation with the TADOC primarily in the matters of education and advanced vocational trainings for the NCA’s employees as well as fully supports all initiatives and efforts of the international community aimed at countering drug trafficking.
In this regard and with a view to strengthen the cooperation bases in these directions of activity as a result of the meeting an agreement was reached on the development and signing of an Agreement (memorandum) on cooperation between CARICC and TADOC.
At the meeting of the CARICC’s Director Miralizoda R.A. with the Heads of the Departments for combating Drug and Cybercrime of the Turkish National Police the Center noted the role of the law enforcement agencies of the Republic of Turkey, which are at the forefront of the departments of the states of the world community that successfully counteract drug trafficking and related crime.
This is confirmed by the significant volumes of seized drugs and the number of liquidated organized criminal drug groups.
In turn, the heads of the Turkish National Police Departments shared their experience and skills, expressed their readiness to participate in seminars and trainings on the basis of the CARICC on education and training of employees of the CARICC NCA on new methods of combating drug trafficking and cybercrime within the framework of specialized programs, projects and other activities, including ones supported by the UNODC.
Additionally, the Turkish side was pleased with the information about the carrying out of systematic by the Center to grant Turkey the status of a full member of the CARICC and its joining to the Agreement on its Establishment, with the prospect of making a positive decision on this issue in the near future.
Press release on holding a meeting at the CARICC site to develop a scenario for a simulation training on countering the legalization (laundering) of proceeds from drug crime
On the site of the Central Asian Regional Information Coordination Center for Combating Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Their Precursors, from 28 to 30 July 2021, a meeting was held to develop a scenario for a simulation training on combating the legalization (laundering) of proceeds from drug crime.
The organizers were the Program Office of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in the Republic of Kazakhstan, the OSCE Program Office in Nur-Sultan and the INL at the US Embassy in the Republic of Kazakhstan in partnership with the Academy of Law Enforcement Agencies under the General Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The event was held with the participation of representatives of CARICC, the Academy of the General Prosecutor's Office, the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Financial Monitoring Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the National Security Committee and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan and invited international experts on the project “Strengthening the capacity of competent authorities in conducting parallel financial investigations and suppressing illegal financial flows associated with organized crime and drug trafficking ”.
Representatives of CARICC spoke to the participants of the meeting and assisted in its holding from the perspective of international experts in the field of combating drug trafficking. The participants were presented with a presentation on the international and regional practice of conducting financial investigations for the purpose of countering the laundering (legalization) of criminal proceeds from illicit drug trafficking.
At the meeting, the issues of introducing simplified organizational forms of interaction between law enforcement agencies and financial intelligence units were widely discussed.
The participants exchanged expert opinions, experience and best practice on the latest developments in financial investigations and the suppression of illegal financial flows related to organized crime, drug trafficking, cybercrime and virtual assets. The importance of international cooperation in this area was noted, the Concept of simulation training for employees of the competent authorities of Kazakhstan was proposed.
Working meeting with representatives of the Ministries and Departments of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as the UNODC Regional Office in Central Asia.
In 29-30 July 2021 in Tashkent, the Director of CARICC, Major General Miralizoda Rustam Aziz, met with the leadership and representatives of the competent authorities of Uzbekistan and the UNODC Regional Office in Central Asia.
At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Minister G. Fazylov noted that the priority of Uzbekistan's foreign policy is the region of Central Asia. In this regard, the issue of expanding cooperation with CARICC is in the focus of attention of the foreign ministry of Uzbekistan. At the same time, he expressed support for the CARICC initiatives to expand bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the field of combating drug trafficking.
At the meeting in NCDC, representatives of the competent authorities of Uzbekistan expressed interest in enhancing cooperation with CARICC on a wide range of anti-drug interaction. An agreement was reached to intensify interaction in areas of cooperation of mutual interest.
At the meeting of CARICC Director R. Miralizoda with UNODC Regional Representative for Central Asia A. Mittal, proposals for the draft Program for Central Asian countries for a new five-year period were discussed, the official adoption of which is planned to coincide with the first visit of the new UNODC Executive Director Ms. Ghada Fathi Waly to Central Asia.
R.Miralizoda said that in the modern conditions of the development of the drug situation, interaction within the framework of UNODC projects through the possibilities of CARICC as an instrument of inter-network cooperation in the international fight against drugs is acquiring special relevance.
The parties reached an agreement to expand cooperation between CARICC and UNODC on topical issues of modern development of the drug situation.
