On August 11-12, 2022, CARICC specialists, together with a representative of the Regional Program for Afghanistan and neighboring countries in Tashkent, conducted an assessment mission, combined with a one-day training on collecting and classifying information within the framework of the RO "Reflex" and "Substitution".

The event, organized on the basis of the NIACCN under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, was attended by senior officials of the NIACCN, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Border Troops of the State Security Service and the State Customs Committee of Uzbekistan.

During the working meeting, the specialists of the Center presented the results of the RO "Reflex-2021" and "Substitution. Phase 2” as well as plans for the implementation of the next stages of these regional operations.            

For reference: RO "REFLEX-2021" was held on the territory of the CARICC member states from October 4 to November 30, 2021 and was sent, like the three previous ones ("REFLEX-2017", "REFLEX-2018" and "REFLEX-2019”) to combat the spread of new psychoactive substances, psychotropic substances and other synthetic drugs. The second phase of Operation “Substitution”, carried out in 2017-2018, was aimed at identifying and stopping the smuggling of acetic anhydride, acetyl chloride, acetic acid and ammonium chloride into Afghanistan. At the same time, the main attention was directed to the transportation channels in the region, including rail, road and sea routes.

The parties noted that in the Central Asian region there is a multiple increase in the facts of detection of illicit trafficking in precursors, synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances. Conducting RO "Reflex" and "Substitution" undoubtedly contributes to strengthening regional cooperation and provides an opportunity for the participating states of the operation to exchange significant information in real time in order to conduct joint coordinated anti-drug actions.

CARICC experts conducted practical exercises on the collection and classification of information within the framework of the planned RO "Reflex-2022" and "Substitution. Phase 3. The participants also discussed the needs of the competent authorities of the Republic of Uzbekistan for the successful implementation of regional operations.

In accordance with the invitation of the European side, within the framework of the visit of the CARICC delegation to Madrid, a meeting was held between the Director of the Center R. Miralizoda and representatives of the Spanish Centre for Intelligence against Terrorism and Organised Crime (CITCO).

At the meeting, the parties exchanged information on the emerging drug situation in Central Asia and the European Union, discussed the relationship between the drug business and terrorism and organized crime.

The parties also exchanged meanings on the issues of cooperation between CARICC and CITCO and possible areas of bilateral cooperation through the exchange of information and analytical materials.

In accordance with the invitation of the European side, on August 10, 2022, a meeting was held in Madrid between the Director of CARICC R. Miralizoda and representatives of the International and Latin American Foundation of Administration and Public Policies (FIIAPP).

FIIAPP is the executing agency of the European Union Central Asia Drug Action Program (CADAP).

At the meeting, the parties exchanged information on the emerging drug situation in Central Asia and the European Union, discussed the prospects for cooperation between CARICC and the CADAP 7 Program.

The European Union CADAP program aims to support the countries of Central Asia in strengthening the information system for the preparation of objective, reliable and evidence-based information on the drug situation, based on EU best practices and international standards.

The activities of CADAP 7 are based on the provisions of the fundamental UN conventions that provide the international legal framework for solving the problem of drug trafficking. The implementation of CADAP 7 is carried out in accordance with the UN Agenda for Sustainable Development for the period up to 2030.

On 2-3 August 2022 in CARICC in hybrid format the regular Regional Expert Meeting of Heads of Analytical Units of Competent Agencies of Central Asian States took place within the framework of the UNODC Border Cooperation Programme component.

The heads of analytical departments of border and customs agencies, as well as law enforcement and special agencies of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Republic of Uzbekistan, experts from UNODC Programme Offices in Central Asia and CARICC took part in the working meeting.

Mr. Yusuf Kurbonov, International Coordinator of the UNODC Programme in Central Asia and Major General Rustam Aziz, Director of CARICC, made the welcoming speech during the event.

At the meeting, the delegations were briefed on the implementation of the UNODC Programme component and its impact on border security and cross-border cooperation in the region, activities of the established Border Liaison Offices' coordination and monitoring centers, as well as information on the results achieved, including planned activities envisaged under the Border Cooperation Component.

In accordance with the program of the meeting, CARICC employees made presentations on advanced analytical software products for collecting, summarizing, analyzing and visualizing statistical data in real time, on the issue of creating a regional information and communication network with the coordinating role of CARICC, as well as optimal options for an architectural solution for creating schemes of national information communication networks, with the possibility of remote access to information.

As a result of the event, the main priorities of the competent authorities of the Central Asian states to strengthen state borders were identified, relevant recommendations were developed, in particular, UNODC and CARICC were recommended to continue to assist in the study, implementation and application of modern analytical products, organization and holding of working meetings at the expert level, training courses and technical equipment of the Situation/Coordination Centers, as well as discussed 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.