From July 21 to 24, 2025, the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre (CARICC) conducted a specialized training seminar focused on the detection and prevention of the online trade in synthetic drugs, including transactions involving cryptocurrencies.

Held at the Academy of Law Enforcement Agencies under the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the seminar brought together representatives of law enforcement agencies from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

The event was organized in cooperation with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Office for Afghanistan, Central Asia, Iran and Pakistan, the Law Enforcement Academy, and with financial support from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.

Training was delivered by national experts from KazDream and Astana IT University, alongside an international expert from UNODC, who presented Belgium's experience in countering the trafficking of synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances (NPS), as well as the application of digital evidence in criminal investigations.

A key component of the seminar was a meeting between participants and the leadership of the Law Enforcement Academy, led by First Vice-Rector K. Seitenov, and the staff of the Institute of Professional Training. Discussions centered around strategies for combating drug-related crime, joint trainings, research cooperation, and future educational programs.

Throughout the four-day seminar, a wide array of digital tools and investigative methodologies were demonstrated using real-life case studies. Solutions presented included cutting-edge software for open-source intelligence (OSINT), digital profiling, cryptocurrency tracking, communication analysis, and facial recognition.

Participants actively engaged with the demonstrations and discussions, which highlighted the growing role of technology in combating organized online drug trade. The final session featured successful practical applications of the demonstrated software solutions. Attendees expressed high appreciation for the training’s applied focus and signaled their readiness to incorporate the tools into operational work.