United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Counter Narcotics Service (CNS) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic in August 2023 finalized development of an innovative and holistic system to address illegal cannabis cultivation.
The results of this joint efforts were presented during the Regional Expert Meeting on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Innovative Technologies.
The core objective of this joint initiative was to finalize the research and development of a comprehensive system tailored to tackle the persistent problem of illegal cannabis cultivation. The system's innovative approach is set to transform the way authorities could assess illegal cannabis cultivation in Kyrgyzstan and may become an example for replication in other countries.
The Holistic System in Action
The result of this collaborative effort will be a state-of-the-art web-based online Geographic Information System (GIS) empowered by artificial intelligence (AI). This system will play a pivotal role in identifying and mapping illegal cannabis cultivations. The foundation of this AI is built on three years' worth of meticulously collected data from spectrometers and spectral cameras mounted on drones. The collected data was analyzed using AI algorithms to create a comprehensive map of known illegal cannabis fields.
However, what distinguishes this system is its capacity to extrapolate this data to predict potential cannabis fields throughout Kyrgyzstan. Remarkably, the system has demonstrated high accuracy in this extrapolation during its development stage. As next step, the CNS conducts field visits to potential sites to confirm or refute the AI's predictions, thereby fine-tuning the system over time. This iterative process will significantly enhance the system's precision.
A Glimpse into the Future
Once this system is fully trained and operational, it will facilitate counter narcotic efforts against illegal cannabis cultivation, following a systematic and efficient process: a) AI will identify potential cannabis cultivation areas. b) Law enforcement agencies, equipped with drones with mounted spectral cameras, will conduct remote inspections to confirm the presence of cannabis and estimate the volume of the crop. c) Based on these findings, law enforcement can strategically plan operations to investigate those who may be involved in illegal activities.
Embracing New Technologies
During the event, an array of cutting-edge technologies was assessed. Notably, a handheld drone detection device was demonstrated. This device serves as a critical tool in tracking drones approaching used by criminals. Given the increasing use of drones in narcotics trafficking, this technology eliminates the risk of traffickers using mountainous roads and provides law enforcement with a potent tool for identifying and intercepting these airborne threats.
A Collaborative Goal
This meeting reflects a distinctive and fruitful partnership involving UNODC, CNS, and several other stakeholders. The participation of law enforcement agencies and policy makers from Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, both in person and online, highlights the collective commitment to combat narcotics production. Additionally, visiting UNODC representatives from other offices also played a pivotal role in ensuring the success of the meeting.
Furthermore, Central Asian countries expressed interest in embracing this innovative system and embarking on training programs underscores its high potential. This concerted effort was made possible through close coordination with scientists from Singaporean, Kyrgyzstani, Belarusian, and Russian institutions, who shared their expertise.
In conclusion, this UNODC initiative, in collaboration with CNS and an array of dedicated partners, has not only achieved its goals but also demonstrated how innovative approaches can contribute to combatting illegal cannabis cultivation. This innovative system, with its potential to be extended to other countries, signifies a development in the international efforts to combat drug production. It provides an innovative tool, which will make law enforcement agencies more efficient, precise, and safer.
UNODC, with financial support from the Russian Federation, promotes innovative approaches to countering illicit drug trafficking in Kyrgyzstan within the project "Enhancing the capacity of the Mobile Operational Teams of the Counter Narcotics Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic."
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For more information, contact Vasilina Brazhko
Communications and PR Specialist
UNODC Criminal Justice programme in Central Asia
UNODC PO in the Kyrgyz Republic
+996775987817 WhatsApp
vasilina.brazhko [at].org
