Preliminary results of the sub-regional anti-drug operation "Channel-Second Barrier" are summarized

In order to implement the proposals made at the Extraordinary meeting of the Collective Security Council of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO CSC) of 23.08.2021, to combat the transit of drugs from Afghanistan along the "Northern route", eliminate the drug raw materials base, close drug smuggling channels, suppress the activities of transnational drug gangs, underground laboratories, undermine the economic basis of drug trafficking, including the legalization of drug proceeds, reveal facts of financing of terrorist structures with the proceeds of drug trafficking, as well as seizure of weapons, ammunition and explosives from illicit trafficking, the CSTO conducted a sub-regional anti-drug operation "Channel-Second Barrier" in the format of the CSTO from 23 to 27 May 2022.

During this period, in Osh city, the Kyrgyz Ministry of Internal Affairs deployed an International Coordination Staff (ICS), which was attended by representatives of competent authorities of the CSTO member states and observers from the UNODC, the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure, the OSCE, sectoral cooperation bodies of customs services and internal affairs bodies of the CIS member states, the Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism.

The ISC conducted an in-depth analysis of the drug situation in the CSTO member states, ensured coordination between the national staffs and the rapid exchange of relevant information.

Officers of competent bodies of the CSTO member states, seconded to the ICS and observers carried out practical visits to the Jalal-Abad and Batken regions to familiarize themselves with the work of mobile groups and temporary checkpoints established under the "Channel - Second Barrier" operation in the most dangerous directions, along which drug trafficking takes place.

The security of officers on duty against drug trafficking was provided by the "Shumkar" special operations regiment of the Kyrgyz Interior Ministry, which is part of the CSTO Collective Rapid Reaction Forces special operations force formations.

The ICS participants and representatives of law enforcement agencies of the Kyrgyz Republic exchanged experience in identifying new methods of concealing drugs in cargo and vehicles, routes of illegal logistics of controlled drugs, new methods of counteraction to the spread of drugs, the use of sniffer dogs and special equipment.

In the course of the operation, the controlled delivery method was actively used to uncover all the details of the drug smugglers' illegal activities. The law enforcement agencies of the CSTO member states implemented comprehensive measures to prevent drug traffickers from using modern information communication technologies in the interests of the drug business.

On May 27 this year, in Osh city, with the participation of Ulanbek Sultanov, the Head of the Service for Combating Illicit Drug Trafficking of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, a meeting of the ISC was held to summarize the preliminary results of the joint (coordinated) actions to implement the concept of operation "Channel-Second Barrier".

The operation involved more than 11 thousand officers and servicemen of internal affairs bodies, drug control, special services and customs and seized from the illicit traffic:

- 274 kg of narcotics, psychotropic and powerful substances, including more than 5 kg of heroin, about 70 kg of marijuana and 75 kg of hashish;

- more than 86 kg of synthetic drugs, such as alpha-PVP, mephedrone, methamphetamine and others;

- more than two tons of precursors;

- 51 firearms and 2,836 pieces of ammunition, including hand grenades.

Three "underground" drug laboratories were identified and eliminated. 389 criminal cases related to illicit drug trafficking were initiated, including 28 criminal drug groups, in 21 cases related to drug smuggling. 50 persons wanted for committing crimes in the field of drug trafficking were detected. 306 web-sites, through which illegal information on drugs was disseminated, were detected.

The measures taken have had a significant preventive effect.

On the basis of the experience gained during the sub-regional operation "Channel - Second Barrier", in order to strengthen collective security, the next active stages of the CSTO Regional Anti-Drug Operation "Channel" will already be planned and carried out this year for the benefit of all peoples of the CSTO member states.