CARICC: Year of Perspective

Information exchange and coordination between the competent bodies of the CARICC member states and other countries has resulted in the dismantlement of 23 transnational drug smuggling channels, and seizure of more than 600 kg of drugs and the arrest of 46 members of different criminal organizations.

CARICC 7 member states (Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) have signed the Agreement at presidential level and ratified it in their respective parliaments, thus providing a solid legal basis for the cooperation on the CARICC platform.

Host country agreement, specifying immunities and privileges for CARICC building, its staff, Liaison Officers from the member states and observer countries in the host country was ratified by the Parliament of Kazakhstan in early October 2011.

February. A working meeting of the case officers of Operational Divisions of the competent authorities of Azerbaijan, Italy, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, USA, Tajikistan, Turkey and Uzbekistan, as well as Interpol, aimed at coordination efforts to disrupt activities of trans-national drug-trafficking groups (mainly West-African drug trafficking groups) involved in trafficking of Afghan opiates to Europe and China was initiated by the State Committee  for National Security of Kyrgyz Republic  and held at CARICC.

March. CARICC Council (Management Board) Meeting took place in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. During the meeting it was agreed to submit the Agreement on "Exchange and Protection of Secret Information" to the member states for signing.  A decision was taken to launch a multilateral international operation on West-African drug trafficking groups.

The Kyrgyz SSDC conducted a successful operation on arrest of the well known "drug lord" with about 4.5 kg of heroin. Currently CARICC is working with a number of countries on links of the criminal and getting additional information that might help to the investigation in Kyrgyzstan.

July. CARICC jointly with the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan conducted a meeting in Baku on disrupting activities of transnational drug trafficking groups. The meeting was attended by the participants from CARICC member states and its partners from Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, UK, USA and SECI Center. It was agreed to continue collection and exchange of information on the drug dealers originating from African countries within the framework of the operation "Black Tulip", and also on big supplies of hashish from Afghanistan and Iran, methamphetamine from Iran and precursors to Afghanistan, using all capacities of the involved countries and organizations.

October. JPC liaison officers (Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan) visited CARICC to get familiar with the activities of the Centre, establish and practice usage of secure communication channels with CARICC in order to exchange information and intelligence between the Centers.

November. Head of Drug Control Agency of Tajikistan Mr. Nazarov visited CARICC to discuss cooperation issues between the agencies and to sign an Agreement on Exchange and Protection of secret information on behalf of Tajikistan.

China, Romania and European Union Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM) requested observer status at CARICC.

Liaison Officer from Afghanistan was identified to be seconded to CARICC.