A meeting of heads of information and analytical departments of national coordinating bodies and leading specialists of drug treatment centers of the countries of Western and Central Asia was held in Almaty on 19-20 December 2023.

The event was organized under the Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

Delegations from Iran, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan shared information on the state of drug situation and measures taken to stabilize it in their countries. It was underscored that an effective response to the growing transnational drug crime would not be possible without close regional counter-narcotics cooperation.

Participants pointed out the importance of joining efforts of the countries of Western and Central Asia in putting a solid barrier in the way of growing drug trafficking. The event stressed the need to call attention of international donor community to this challenge.

Mr. Atageldi Yazlyyev, CARICC Director, met with Mr. Marat Seksembayev, Rector of the Law Enforcement Academy under the Prosecutor General's Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan, in Almaty on 13 December 2023.

The meeting was part of implementation of the Protocol of Intentions on Cooperation in Combating Illicit Drug Trafficking signed between two organizations in June 2018.

Parties reviewed results of joint work in the field of professional development of law enforcement officers of Central Asian countries under joint training events. They outlined further plans for 2024 to increase cooperation in arranging national and international trainings on countering modern challenges of drug threat aimed at strengthening international security.

The meeting resulted in an agreement to develop and publish joint methodological recommendations on identification of synthetic narcotic drugs, as well as to design a simulation training on "Combating Drug Crime on the Internet".

Staff members of CARICC Information and Analytical Unit took part in the training on "Interdiction of Synthetic Drug Smuggling through Parcel Systems" under UNODC Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries 2022-2025 in Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan on 6-8 December 2023.

The training was conducted by international trainers of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB). 

This event brought together representatives of competent authorities of Kazakhstan, representatives of the INL Office of the U.S. Embassy to the Republic of Kazakhstan, experts from the International Narcotics Control Board and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

INCB measures to combat new psychoactive substances (NPS), non-medical synthetic opioids and other dangerous substances, as well as seizures and concealment methods of dangerous substances were presented to participants. Moreover, international trainers taught participants on data exchange through the secure communication platform IONICS and data analysis, risk profiling using the GRIDS software tool.

Also, CARICC staff members in their remarks informed about current drug situation in Member States, and also briefed on ongoing situation in Afghanistan.

Constructive exchange of views and experience in counternarcotics field also took place with the training attendees.  

Training participants marked high level of preparation of the event and instructors, as well as an interesting and relaxed manner of delivery of training material.

Participants were awarded certificates upon conclusion of the event.

Mazhilis hosted a Government Hour dedicated to measures to combat drug crime in Astana on 11 December 2023.

Mr. Atageldi Yazlyyev, CARICC Director, delivered a report at the event and informed about drug situation development and state of combating transnational drug crime in the Centre’s Member States during 9 months of this year.

Director of the Centre called attention to the fact that according to estimates of international experts the area of opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan has decreased by 95%. Meanwhile, CARICC statistics indicate an increase in drug smuggling in the region.

Based on data for 9 months of 2023, the amount of drugs seized in CARICC Member States as a whole increased by more than 100% compared to figures for the same period in 2022. The number of drug crimes increased by 8.3%, while the number of crimes related to the sale of narcotic drugs increased by 8.9%. Overall, drug situation in Central Asia is characterized by an increase in production of opiates and methamphetamine in Afghanistan, emergence of new types of synthetic drugs and distribution methods.

Mr. Yerzhan Sadenov, Minister of Internal Affairs, presented a report on current drug situation in the Republic of Kazakhstan, pointing out that the spread of synthetic drugs is gaining momentum. In an effort to counter the spread of synthetic drugs, Kazakhstan has dismantled 75 clandestine drug laboratories and seized over 100 tons of precursors since the beginning of the year.

Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan also arranged an exhibition in Mazhilis during the Government Hour. Attendees were shown an interactive map of efforts to combat drug crime, equipment for drug laboratories and drug imitators, uniforms and special equipment of the National Guard.