Development of cooperation networks in the fight against drug trafficking in Western and Central Asia.

On October 12, 2021, an online meeting of the Regional Working Group on Forensic Medical Examination and Drugs was held under the auspices of the Regional Representation in Central Asia of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

The purpose of the meeting is to develop a network of cooperation between investigators and law enforcement agencies and forensic laboratory experts, support specialists, develop regional programs and strategies aimed at combating drug trafficking in Western and Central Asia.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the competent authorities for combating drug trafficking of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, the Republic of Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republic of Afghanistan, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, representatives of the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Center.

Representatives of the countries made an overview of the situation in the field of drug trafficking and forensic expertise. The meeting discussed plans for regional operations, current trends in the illicit drug trade and the spread of new psychoactive substances in the Central Asian region.

The regional Working group announced initiatives to support the equipping of laboratories and the provision of methodological assistance to specialists engaged in the fight against drug trafficking.