A Regional training course for officers of analytical units of law enforcement agencies of Central Asian countries was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic from 18 to 22 September 2023 with the support of UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia in Tashkent.

The event was implemented under Sub-Programme 1 "Preventing and Countering Transnational Organised Crime" of the UNODC Programme for Central Asia for 2022-2025.     

Instructors of the Turkish International Academy Against Drugs and Organized Crime (TADOC) delivered the course as trainers.

Trainees were taught types of analysis, data visualization techniques, methods of database design and management, integrated data sources, and features of geographic information systems.

Participants marked high level of preparatory work of the event and instructors, also interesting and casual method of training course presentation.

Upon completion of the event, participants were awarded certificates.

In accordance with CARICC Main Events Plan for 2023, CARICC delegation headed by Director Atageldi Yazlyyev took part in a number of meetings in Bishkek from 20 to 22 September 2023.

In the course of the visit, the CARICC delegation participated in the CIS conference on countering terrorism and extremism and joint counter-terrorism exercises of competent authorities of the CIS member states and SCO member states "Eurasia-Antiterror-2023".

A meeting with Major General Nurbek Abdiev, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, was also arranged during the visit. During it parties discussed enhancing cooperation with CARICC in terms of information exchange in countering transnational drug crime amidst rapidly evolving drug situation in the region.

CARICC delegation later met with Mr. Ernest Robello, Head of the European Union Central Asia Drug Action Programme (CADAP-7). At the meeting sides addressed matters of cooperation in conducting research on methamphetamine distribution in the Central Asian region.

Following program of CARICC Director's visit, on 22 September 2023 was held a meeting with representatives of the European Union Delegation to the Kyrgyz Republic headed by H.E. Ambassador Marilyn Josefson. They discussed measures to boost cooperation through European specialized organizations for research and monitoring of synthetic drugs distribution.

On September 12–13, 2023, an online meeting of the Paris Pact Working Group of Experts on Illicit Financial Flows was held in Ankara, in which employees of the CARICC Information and Analytical Department took part.

The event was attended by more than 160 participants representing 35 partner countries and 10 international and regional partner organizations.

Participants reviewed current issues as well as recent key operational actions and took stock of the recommendations adopted at the last EWG meeting on illicit financial flows. The meeting decided to propose four priority operational recommendations for further consideration and approval at the 17th Policy Advisory Group Meeting (PCGM), scheduled to be organized from 11 to 12 December 2023 in Vienna.

Also, the meeting participants paid special attention to the issues of countering the criminal use of virtual assets and «Hawala» type money transfer systems in the financial support of the illicit trafficking of Afghan opiates.

Based on the results of the event, the participants developed recommendations containing response measures, including a strategy and plans for joint action.

Sub-regional counternarcotics operation "Channel Interception" was carried out from 11 to 15 September on the territory of CSTO Member States. International Coordination Office to run the operation was stationed in Almaty at CARICC premises.

The operation was aimed at interdicting distribution channels for narcotics, their precursors and analogues, new psychoactive and potent substances, neutralizing international transnational drug groups, and dismantling clandestine drug production and disrupting economic foundations of drug business, including legalization of drug profits.

Coordinated actions during the operation resulted in the seizure of more than 897 kg of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, including 61.5 kg of mephedrone, 2.8 kg of MDMA, 12.2 kg of α-PVP, 237 kg of marijuana, 301 kg of hashish, 2.5 kg of heroin, more than 1 kg of potent substances and more than 34 kg of precursors on the territory of CSTO Member States. 48 firearms and about 2 773 rounds of ammunition of various caliber were confiscated. 854 drug crimes were detected, 4 illegal drug laboratories were dismantled. Law enforcement officers and security services detained 399 persons for committing crimes related to drug trafficking, including 44 wanted persons. 444 Internet websites disseminating prohibited drug-related information were identified.

The International Coordination Office convened two round tables on countering synthetic drugs and laundering criminal drug proceeds. Best practices in this area were also shared.

Representatives of China, Iran, UNODC and CARICC also participated in the International Coordination Office as observers.

Moreover, the III International Specialized Training of Canine Services of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan was conducted as part of the operation "Channel Interception".