UNODC Supports International Special Operations Seizing Psychotropic Substances

Today, the world is facing the problem of the narcotic, psychotropic substances and their precursors spreading via global information Web, both within countries and internationally, which in turn is a threat to their national security. The complexity of this crime lies in the fact that its action takes place on the Internet and is aggravated by the growing participation of organized criminal groups. Taking urgent, coordinated measures within countries and beyond is an integral part of the fight against drug trafficking, money laundering and organized crime.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Programme Office in the Kyrgyz Republic supports Counter Narcotics Service (CNS) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic under the Ministry of Interior and the State Financial Intelligence Service (SFIS) as part of the UNODC XACZ60 project: Sub-program 1 "Combating transnational organized crime, illicit drug trafficking and prevention terrorism» of the UNODC Program for Central Asia 2015-2019.

For eight months of 2019, the UNODC Program Office in the Kyrgyz Republic held more than 10 trainings and seminars on capacity development of the staff of analytical departments on financial investigations, strengthening of international and interagency cooperation. This work is conducted with the financial help from the Government of Japan and International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) of the United States.

In July 2019, employees of CNS, SFIS, General Administration for Drug Control (GUNK) of the Russia' Ministry of Interior and law enforcement agencies of the Republic of Kazakhstan successfully executed a large-scale, international special operation to establish, identify and detain a transnational organized criminal gang. The group operated via Internet on the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation, engaged in illegal trafficking of narcotic substances.

"Important to note that special operation was conducted thanks to the knowledge and skills gained by the staff of the CNS during the trainings on their capacity development which was the result of the successful implementation of sub-programme 1", stated Mr. Mirlan Kanimetov, Deputy Minister of Interior of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Based on the Kyrgyz Ministry of Interior data, the organized crime drug group laundered money using Bitcoin cryptocurrency. In the course of joint activities, more than one kilogram of psychotropic substance was seized from illicit trafficking, the income from which could amount to more than 3,500,000 soms.

According to Mr. Andrey Seleznev, the Head of the UNODC Programme Office in the Kyrgyz Republic: " Enhancement of professional skills of law enforcement officers in Anti-Money Laundering and strengthen international and inter-agency cooperation are needed to fight against drug trafficking, money laundering and organized crime".

UNODC is the only UN Agency which fully supports the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic in achieving Sustainable Development Goal #16 to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, access to justice for all and create effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime is the guardian of UN convention against Transnational Organized Crime, supports UN Convention against Corruption and acts in line with the UNODC Global Programme Against Money Laundering, Proceeds of Crime and Financing of Terrorism (GPML).

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UNODC ROCA

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