UNODC promotes countering the legalization of proceeds from illicit drug trafficking in the Republic of Kazakhstan

Strengthening the legal framework, policies and national strategies on anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) is the primary directions of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)’s technical assistance.

The fight against organized forms of drug crime today requires a systematic approach, including measures to weaken its financial resources. The identification and confiscation of criminal assets in many countries of the world is considered as effective means of countering transnational crime and its containment.

In 2020-2021, UNODC held a number of working meetings with the management of the competent authorities of the Republic of Kazakhstan, where parties discussed questions of strengthening the capacity of the competent authorities in countering money laundering from illicit drug trafficking. A logical continuation of this work went on with a round table on "Counteracting the legalization of proceeds from drug related crimes in the Republic of Kazakhstan" that took place on 19 February. The Agency on Financial Monitoring under the President of RK, Law Enforcement Academy under the General Prosecutor’s Office with international experts and partners’ support represented by UNODC, INL Bureau, US Embassy in Kazakhstan, OSCE took part in the meeting.

Mr. Berikhan Nurgaliyev, Head of the Office of the Department for Counteracting Drug-related Crime of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, in course of discussion noted the importance of identifying and investigating cases related to the laundering of criminal proceeds from illicit drug trafficking. The use of modern methods of suppressing illegal financial flows, joint work with the financial intelligence unit and the accelerated exchange of information between interested departments can contribute to the increase in the efficiency of this work.

Mr Arslanbek Seitov, a senior lecturer at the Academy of Law Enforcement Agencies under the General Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan expressed the opinion that the application of new training methods, including simulation trainings on combating the laundering of criminal proceeds from illegal drug trafficking, can increase the capacity of interested authorities.

Mr. Aliaksandr Vadziany, UNODC Regional Adviser on Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism noted the latest trends in the legalization of criminal proceeds in the activities of organized crime in the drug business. Among them are the reduction of traditional methods of movement of criminal proceeds, the suspension of the movement of cash couriers, the search for alternative methods of movement of funds by organized criminal groups, and some others. As a result, the role of financial intelligence units and international organizations is increasing, which provide secure access and exchange of information in AML / CFT field.

The head of the departments and specialists of the mentioned competent authorities took part in the meeting. An agreement was reached on the further implementation of a simulation program for laundering criminal proceeds from drug trafficking in 2021. The event was organized with the financial support of the INL of the US Embassy in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

 

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Shakhnoza Zafari

Communication and External Relations Officer

UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia

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