Regional workshop on "Promoting regional cooperation in Control Delivery and Joint Investigative Teams"
5 - 9 December 2016, Almaty, Kazakhstan
UNODC, under Sub-Programme 1 and 2 of its Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighboring Countries, in cooperation with the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre for combating the illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors (CARICC), organised the third regional workshop on "Promoting regional cooperation in Control Delivery and Joint Investigative Teams", in Almaty, the Republic of Kazakhstan from 5 to 9 December 2016.
The event, which was attended by 45 experts from law enforcement agencies, Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs), prosecuting authorities, customs, central banks, Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Ministries of Finance and CARICC, was supported by experts from the Dutch and Finnish police and the EU Heroin Route Programme.
During the five day workshop, the participants shared best practices and experience on their respective legal and operational efforts in tackling drug trafficking. A large number of topics were discussed including: the importance to further promoting regional cooperation among the countries in West and Central Asia on issues related to Control Delivery and Joint Investigative Teams, as well as the needs and challenges related to enhancing regional cooperation in these areas. Moreover, the discussions were intermingled with a table top exercise and a real case scenario during which the participants were grouped into three different joint investigative teams, simulating a real investigation on a "real-case based" scenario.
Furthermore, within the margins of the training workshop, a regional FIU to FIU meeting took place. The participants from all countries expressed their interest in furthering negotiations with a view on signing bilateral Memoranda of Understanding that could facilitate the exchange of information on suspicious financial transactions.
At the end of the event, the participants expressed their appreciation for the provided assistance by UNODC and requested the organization to consider the possibility of "institutionalizing" this kind of an event and convene it on an annual basis.
UNODC thanks the European Union and Finland for funding the event.