In the face of growing threats posed by drug trafficking and related organized crime, the countries of Central Asia, with support from UNODC, came together in 2006 to form the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre for Combating Illicit Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and their Precursors (CARICC) as a platform for regional counter-narcotics collaboration.
Today, CARICC comprises seven member states, 18 observer states, and three international organizations with observer status: Interpol, the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), and the Southeast European Law Enforcement Center (SELEC).
CARICC assists member states in joint operations by facilitating real-time information exchange and overcoming bureaucratic barriers. It also conducts a strategic analysis of the drug situation to identify areas requiring coordinated action. The Centre maintains a centralized database tracking drug trafficking trends to enable proactive operational planning. Furthermore, CARICC offers training and capacity-building programmes for law enforcement agencies, enhancing their capabilities to fight drug trafficking.
CARICC’s impact on countering drug trafficking is significant: since its inception, it has contributed to 85 international counter-narcotics operations, resulting in the seizure of over 7.5 tons of narcotic drugs, more than 62 tons of precursors, and the arrest of 122 members of drug trafficking networks.
On 12 September 2024, at the invitation of Turkmenistan, the Council of National Coordinators of CARICC Member States came together in Ashgabat to take stock of CARICC’s activities and give strategic direction for the future. Participants also discussed the rapidly evolving drug situation in Central Asia following the opium cultivation ban issued by the de facto authority in Afghanistan. Of particular concern was the spread of synthetic drugs, as well as the multiple indications of an emerging production of new psychoactive substances in several countries of the region.
“Illegal drug trafficking, a persistent threat to humanity in the 21st century, is further exacerbated by the growing spread of new psychoactive substances and synthetic drugs. Urgent and comprehensive action is needed to address this crisis. It is essential to highlight our collective commitment through our ongoing collaboration with CARICC. We are continually strengthening this partnership by expanding the Centre’s reach and enhancing its role,” stated Yazguly Agabaev, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Turkmenistan.
“The evolving drug situation in the CARICC Member States demands coordinated and targeted measures to suppress drug smuggling. A joint action plan is needed to investigate major drug seizures and develop effective responses,” said Atageldi Yazlyev, Director of CARICC.
Dr. Oliver Stolpe, UNODC Regional Representative for Afghanistan, Central Asia, Iran and Pakistan, noted: “CARICC has made significant steps in enhancing regional cooperation and operational effectiveness. It is imperative that we sustain and build upon these achievements to address the dynamic challenges of drug trafficking in the region. Maintaining CARICC’s strategic priorities and operational capacity is essential for continuing our progress in this critical area.”
For more insights into CARICC’s work, watch:
CARICC: 18 years of operational successes in countering illicit drug trafficking
CARICC capacity-building programmes: Open-source intelligence regional training course
CARICC: 18 years of operational successes in countering illicit drug trafficking (unodc.org)
Open-Source Intelligence Regional Training Course at CARICC-World Drug Day 2024 (unodc.org)
For further information, please contact:
Nurangez Abdulhamidova
Communications and External Relations Specialist
UNODC Regional Office for Afghanistan, Central Asia, Iran and Pakistan
Email: nurangez.abdulhamidova[at]un.org