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.Over the years, CARICC has developed expertise in controlled delivery operations and shares this knowledge with partners. The Centre’s international status and its liaison officers have facilitated the establishment of networks with international organizations and beyond its member states, enhancing the effectiveness of its operations.The Centre leads several long-term initiatives, including Operation REFLEX, targeting new psychoactive substances, and Operation SUBSTITUTE, aimed at preventing the diversion of controlled chemicals to illicit trafficking. It also engages in short-term operations focused on specific drug-related crimes, leading to significant drug seizures and legal actions against traffickers.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 traffickingCARICC capacity-building programmes: Open-source intelligence regional training course For further information, please contact:Nurangez AbdulhamidovaCommunications and External Relations SpecialistUNODC Regional Office for Afghanistan, Central Asia, Iran and Pakistan Email: nurangez.abdulhamidova[at]un.org

“Some of my colleagues are a bit confused,” confesses Dr Rosa Nodirshoeva, who is known here simply as Dr Rosa. “We have not had any cases of sepsis for a few months now. They find this unusual,” she adds, smiling at her collaborator, Dr Joyrine Biromumaiso, before declaring, “but you and I, we know the reason.”Dr Rosa shifts comfortably in her chair. She has an air of authority about her. This suits her position as a senior doctor at the large Maternity Hospital Number 1 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Dr Rosa has worked at the health facility for over 30 years and knows it like the back of her hand.She works closely with Dr Joyrine, an expert on infection prevention and control based at the WHO Country Office in Tajikistan. Today they are discussing how much has changed since the start of their close collaboration, just over 3 years ago. Preventing health care-associated infections“Infection prevention and control training have changed the way we work,” Dr Rosa declares. “Before, nurses with years of experience could accidentally infect a patient while performing even the simplest procedures, such as inserting a catheter, because they simply weren’t aware of the right measures and techniques to prevent health care-associated infections. They had not been taught well.”Dr Rosa explains that the facility had been working on improving infection prevention and control for decades. However, since working with Dr Joyrine, they have been able to strengthen their capacity dramatically and accelerate progress.She gives examples of improvements made at the facility, adding that staff now pay close attention to infection prevention and control measures, and understand how important this is to provide safe, quality care.“Our staff apply the 5 moments of hand hygiene and have become much more diligent in how we clean the facility. My colleagues know how to properly dispose of used syringes, masks and other medical waste. Our facility has clearly articulated the need for disinfectants and other health products used for protection. We now have devices with disinfectant solutions throughout the facility. Patients want to receive quality care and all these changes help us to keep them, and our health workers, safe from health care-associated infections.”Dr Rosa notes that a simple reminder is sometimes enough to prevent a tragedy, and that patients themselves have become more aware of their own health. “They may come in for a treatment, but if they see that the doctor has not cleaned his hands, they speak up.” Fewer infection casesAt the end of the corridor, the discomfort of a mother-to-be can be heard. Almost 1000 babies per month are born in this facility. One in every 5 babies is delivered through a caesarean section, as the facility receives women with complications from all regions of the country.Before, at least 2 or 3 cases of septic complications were registered in the maternity hospital every month, but this situation has changed in recent years. The facility has also seen a dramatic reduction in other infections, including hepatitis B among health workers. The improvements made in infection prevent and control have been key to this success.Dr Joyrine is proud of the achievements of Dr Rosa and her staff. She herself knows how proper infection prevention and control practices save lives. She was in western Africa at the height of the Ebola crisis, which killed over 11 000 people. As a frontline worker, she trained health workers to provide safe treatment and to protect themselves from the virus, but it killed many of her colleagues.After this terrible experience, Dr Joyrine is one of the biggest advocates for implementation of infection prevention and control programmes in health-care facilities. “In Tajikistan, I often talk about my experiences in western Africa and East Africa and about what I have seen in the field.”She explains that the topic of cultural norms often comes up. “By having an open conversation about cultural practices and traditions – for example, those related to burial rites – the Tajik health-care workers start to understand how infections can spread. They are keen to learn about WHO’s guidance and to implement the practices and techniques which we recommend. This is why we see such improvements.”Since Dr Joyrine started working in Tajikistan, much has changed. With technical support from WHO, the country developed new national guidelines on infection prevention and control in 2022. Financial support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been crucial in developing further guidance for health workers on how to put these measures into practice. “Infection prevention and control are everything”Over the past few years, based on the WHO guidelines on infection prevention and control and in collaboration with other organizations, such as the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), over 8000 health workers across the country have been trained in infection prevention and control. Quality training and communication materials have been developed in national languages.Many partners are supporting Tajikistan to ensure access to adequate water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure and services, as well as essential materials and equipment for infection prevention and control, to deliver safe care.The hard work continues. Many facilities in the country are still not following proper infection prevention and control practices, and many more health workers require training. Furthermore, the lack of access to safe, running water in health facilities, and the lack of availability of personal protective equipment such as gloves, masks and alcohol-based hand rub, pose major barriers to implementing infection prevention and control measures.With support from USAID, Dr Joyrine will train a monitoring and evaluation team that will be instrumental in keeping track of the progress made in health facilities in all districts of Tajikistan. Key next steps for the country also include ensuring that courses on infection prevention and control are incorporated into all medical curricula and offered to health workers in facilities systematically.The establishment of a new cadre of health workers, fully dedicated to guiding and monitoring the proper implementation of infection prevention and control practices in health facilities, is a key WHO recommendation.A cleaner passes the room that Dr Rosa and Dr Joyrine are sitting in. Dr Rosa adjusts her glasses and declares, “Infection prevention and control are everything. If you don't know how to prevent infections, you cannot work in a health-care institution.”

Regional cooperation among law enforcement agencies is pivotal in combating transnational organized crime, particularly illicit drug trafficking. The UNODC facilitates member countries in establishing a regional platform to collectively address the challenges posed by drug trafficking. A central component of this effort is the promotion of cross-border cooperation through the Border Liaison Offices (BLOs) network to tackle transnational threats and organized crime effectively.These offices play a pivotal role in identifying and halting various smuggling activities, including narcotics, psychotropic substances, and precursor chemicals, all while facilitating lawful international trade.On 7 March 2024, customs and border officers from the UNODC-supported BLO stationed at the Oybek border crossing point in the Tashkent region of Uzbekistan, in coordination with their counterparts from the BLO at the Fotehobod border crossing point in Tajikistan, thwarted an attempt to smuggle two kilograms of hashish. During the inspection of a cargo van, officers discovered two plastic bags attached to the trailer with magnets, containing a total of 1,981 grams of hashish. The BLOs at the Oybek and Fotehobod border crossing points are two of 24 such offices strategically positioned at key border checkpoints across Central Asia. These offices have been established under the Regional Project on Enhancing Cross-Border Cooperation by Strengthening the Capacity of Border Liaison Offices in Central Asia of Sub-programme 1 Preventing and Countering Transnational Organized Crime of the UNODC Programme for Central Asia 2022 - 2025.This pioneering project, supported by the Government of Japan, strives to establish BLOs across Central Asia, with stakeholder involvement from the Ministries of Internal Affairs, Border Troops, Customs Services, and Drug Control Agencies of each participating country. Its overarching goal is to bolster the capabilities of BLO officers representing various law enforcement agencies in combating transnational organized crime through comprehensive training programmes and the provision of state-of-the-art equipment.Such collaborative efforts highlight a shared commitment to preventing and countering transnational organized crime, making the borders in Central Asia safer and more secure.

*The photos are taken from kun.uzRead more about the projectFor further information, please contact:

Nurangez Abdulhamidova
Communications and External Relations Specialist
UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia
Email: nurangez.abdulhamidova[at]un.org

Interagency cooperation, intelligence-sharing and information exchange among law enforcement agencies in Central Asian countries play a key role in fighting against drug trafficking. UNODC has been concentrating its efforts on supporting the vulnerable border areas by strengthening the border crossing points and establishing working intelligence-sharing and enhanced cross-border communication mechanisms allowing detection and interception of contraband, including narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals. On 21 November 2023, officers stationed at the UNODC-supported Border Liaison Office (BLO) at the Fotehobod border crossing point located in the Sughd region of Tajikistan intercepted a large shipment of narcotic drugs. During the inspection of a motor truck that arrived at the border crossing point, the BLO officers found 65 black polyethylene wrappages containing 71 kg and 110 grams of heroin. In recognition of the invaluable support of the UNODC in the prevention of illicit drug trafficking, Lieutenant General Khurshed Karimzoda, Head of the Customs Service under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, sent a letter of appreciation to Yusuf Kurbonov, International Programme Coordinator, UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia (ROCA). Lieutenant General Karimzoda expressed his agency’s gratitude to UNODC ROCA for its continued support in the provision of technical equipment and the professional development of the officers. “Thanks to cooperation with UNODC, customs officers have been provided with unique opportunities to attend various training courses and workshops specifically designed to effectively combat and prevent the trafficking of narcotic drugs as well as other smuggled goods. The knowledge, skills, and new technologies provided have significantly strengthened the capacity of officers to prevent illegal activities at the state border. Through cooperation with UNODC, the Customs Service continues to enhance the officers’ capacities and maintain their high professionalism in combating illicit drug trafficking. We look forward to further cooperation with UNODC in our joint fight against organized crime and illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs. Joint efforts and cooperation are not only key to our continued success but also a prerequisite for achieving our common goals of ensuring security and sustainable development,” noted Lieutenant General Khurshed Karimzoda in the letter. BLO at the Fotehobod BCP is one of 24 BLOs in the Central Asian region established at the key border crossing points under the Regional Project on Enhancing Cross-Border Cooperation by Strengthening the Capacity of Border Liaison Offices in Central Asia of Sub-programme 1 Preventing and Countering Transnational Organized Crime of the UNODC Programme for Central Asia 2022-2025. It is the first project to establish BLOs in Central Asia, and its stakeholders are the Ministries of Internal Affairs, Border Troops, Customs and Drug Control Agencies of each country. The project strengthens the capacities of officers working at the BLOs representing all law enforcement agencies in countering transnational organized crime, including through various training programmes and the provision of cutting-edge equipment. The project is funded by the Government of Japan. The implementation of the project in Turkmenistan is funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).  *The photos are taken from the website of the Customs Service under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan.   For further information, please contact:  Nurangez Abdulhamidova  Communications and External Relations Specialist   UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia  Email: nurangez.abdulhamidova[at]un.org