UNODC participated as an observer of the operation “Channel”

Creating and strengthening cooperation between countries in the fight against drug trafficking is a key element of the UNODC mandate. Criminals do not respect national boundaries, so the exchange of information between countries in real time is crucial for effective counter-narcotics operations. One of the main counter-narcotics operations conducted in the countries of Western Asia, Central Asia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) is Operation Channel, which is coordinated under the auspices of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). This operation has been carried out every year since 2003. Operation Channel has had a significant impact over the years, and has led to significant illegal seizures of drugs and strengthened the capacity of participating countries to conduct joint operations in real time.

   In accordance with the bilateral Protocol on Joint Drug and Crime Projects between UNODC and CSTO, signed in 2006, UNODC, as part of the Regional Program for Afghanistan and Neighboring Countries, participated as an observer in the last stage of Operation Channel, which It took place on May 28 - June 1, 2018, with the Coordination Center this time in Issyk-Kul Oblast, the Kyrgyz Republic. The regional program also joined as an observer at the previous stage in Saratov, Russian Federation.

   The Deputy Minister of the Interior of the Kyrgyz Republic, Mr. Almazbek Orazaliev, during the meeting of the Coordination Staff "Channel" noted the need for further work to combine efforts and develop mechanisms for a comprehensive response to illicit drug trafficking. He noted that the main problem in the CSTO sphere of responsibility is still the production of drugs in Afghanistan, which, according to UNODC, increased significantly last year.

   As part of this stage of activity, Channel 2018, law enforcement agencies of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan, together with the competent authorities of Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan and China, as well as financial intelligence units of the Eurasian Anti-Money Laundering Group of Interpol and the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Center (CARICC) have introduced comprehensive investigation and search measures aimed at identifying and blocking channels to kotrafika in the States participating in the operation. As a result of the coordinated actions of the law enforcement agencies of the participating countries at this stage of the Operation, over 5 tons of narcotic drugs, psychotropic and potent drugs, including 4 tons and 753 kg of opium, 416 kg of hashish, more than 83 kg of heroin, 169 kg, were withdrawn from illicit trafficking. marijuana and 5 kg of synthetic drugs.

   Operation Channel has advanced significantly in blocking the illegal smuggling of drugs from Afghanistan to Europe. The CSTO and its member state actively attract states from outside the region, as well as international organizations to their activities, which increases their effectiveness. Since the beginning of the operation in 2003, more than 360 tons of drugs were seized. Within the framework of the Regional Program for Afghanistan and neighboring countries, UNODC also supports regional anti-precursor operations (Operation Substitution) and synthetic drugs (Operation REFLEX).