UNODC supports West and Central Asian countries in effectively addressing illicit precursors trafficking
11 July 2018, Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
Production of drugs would be impossible without relevant chemical precursors. The high demand, combined with low risk and significant profits, make their illicit trafficking very lucrative for criminal groups. In view of the above, the need to strengthen and scale up counter narcotics policies and interventions is more pressing today than ever before.
UNODC Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries is promoting a regional response in West and Central Asia by providing a platform to the law enforcement officials of eight countries (Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Islamic Republic of Iran, Republic of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kyrgyzstan, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Republic of Uzbekistan ) through the Regional Working Group on Precursors (RWGP) to review diversion or trafficking of precursor chemicals and share relevant information, as well as identify remedial actions and conduct joint regional operations.
The 11 th Meeting of the Regional Working Group on Precursors (RWGP) was held in Bishkek (Kyrgyz Republic) on 11 July 2018. Senior law enforcement officials from the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Islamic Republic of Iran, Republic of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kyrgyzstan, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Republic of Uzbekistan as well as the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre (CARICC) and the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) participated in the event.
During the meeting, participants shared information on the trafficking of precursors in their respective countries and discussed new trends, such as trade of precursors through the internet. One of the core objectives of the meeting was the review of the preliminary results of operation "Substitute.Phase II" conducted in the first quarter of 2018. Participants, praised the positive results of the operation, and advanced proposals for increasing its effectiveness. All participating countries acknowledged the importance of regional cooperation in precursors control and expressed their support to conduct the next phase of the operation "Substitute".
Mr. Mohammad Kabir, Head of the Precursors Control Unit of the Counter Narcotics Police of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (CNPA), said that "major increase of poppy cultivation and trafficking of precursors in Afghanistan require from countries of West and Central Asia continuous efforts in conducting joint regional operations beyond the timeframe of operation Substitute".
At the end of the meeting a set of recommendations was approved.
UNODC thanked the European Union for funding this important activity