West and Central Asian countries have discussed outcomes of a regional operation developed to counter illicit trafficking of precursors
On 30 April 2019 in Almaty, Kazakhstan the UNODC Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries jointly with the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre (CARICC) convened a de-briefing on results of the regional operation "Substitute.Phase 2." This operation aimed to identify and intercept smuggled consignments of acetic anhydride as well as of non-controlled chemicals that are either directly used in the illicit manufacture of heroin or serve as a cover for smuggled consignments of acetic anhydride.
Participants included law enforcement officers involved in countering illicit precursors from Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan as well as representatives from CARICC and UNODC.
At the meeting CARICC presented outcomes of the regional operation "Substitute.Phase 2" and stated that the operation was successfully conducted in 2018 with over 6,500 kg of precursors and 4,600 kg of different drugs (mainly opium and hashish) seized. Participating countries expressed their strong support and agreed to develop a concept for the next phase of operation Substitute based on the results and of the lessons learned from the previous phases of the operation.
The meeting was organized under the auspices of the UNODC Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries with funding from the European Union and Finland.