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".

Eurasian AML/CFT Forum organized by the Secretariat of the Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (EAG) was held in Issyk-Kul region of the Kyrgyz Republic on 4 - 5 September 2023 in a hybrid format, attended in an online format by Mr. Sh. Komilzoda, CARICC analyst.

Forum was organized by the EAG Secretariat in partnership with the State Financial Intelligence Service under the Ministry of Finance of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Forum was attended by leading experts in the field of AML/CFT of EAG member states, including representatives of law enforcement agencies, financial intelligence units of the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as representatives of EAG observer states, international and regional organizations and anti-terrorist structures.

The Eurasian Forum's objectives were to exchange expert opinion, experience and best practices on the latest developments in investigation of money laundering and terrorist financing cases.

Participants presented presentations and reports on financial investigations, in particular, methodology of seizure, freezing and confiscation of virtual assets obtained by criminal means or intended for terrorist financing, as well as practical aspects of countering crimes committed using information and communication technologies and virtual assets.

The event concluded with a discussion of new approaches and techniques in financial investigations and a discussion of draft recommendations on countering exploitation of virtual assets to finance terrorism.

Working meetings of CARICC Director Mr. Atageldi Yazlyyev with heads of competent authorities of the Republic of Azerbaijan were organized on 5-6 September 2023 in accordance with CARICC Main Events Plan.

Talks were organized with Mr. V. Eyvazov, Minister of Internal Affairs, and Mr. Sh. Bagirov, Chairman of the State Customs Committee. At the meeting parties exchanged views on development of drug situation in Azerbaijan and in CARICC Member States, outlined measures on stimulation of interaction on organization of international counternarcotics measures, further coordination of matters related to organization of CARICC activities brought up before regular meeting of the Council of National Coordinators.

In addition, a meeting was held with leadership of the Regional Office for Capacity Building (ROCB) of the World Customs Organization Europe Region. CARICC presentation on its performance results, perspectives and plans for the future was delivered to staff members of ROCB and SCC of Azerbaijan during the event.