The CSTO conducted a large-scale anti-drug operation "Channel-Neman"
01.10.2022
During the period from 26th to 30th September this year in fulfillment of the plan on realization of the Anti-Drug Strategy of the CSTO member states for 2021-2025 and decisions of Coordination Council of heads of competent bodies on combating illicit drug trafficking of the Organization, in order to provide collective and national security, increase level of interaction between competent bodies, decrease risks connected with drug trafficking within the framework of Regional Anti-Drug Operation "Channel" of CSTO constant action was carried out in the sub-region.
The operational headquarters of the International Coordination Headquarters for the operation was based in the city of Grodno (Republic of Belarus).
Law enforcement structures, border and customs authorities, state security services, financial intelligence units of CSTO member states took part in large-scale activities.
Participants in the operation had the opportunity to strengthen direct contacts between law enforcement agencies and special services of CSTO member States and to establish cooperation with colleagues from specialized international organizations.
Representatives of Interpol, the Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism, the Committee of Heads of Law Enforcement Units of CIS Customs Services, the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre for combating narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors and the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure participated in the operation as observers.
More than 9,500 members of the competent authorities were involved in the Kanal-Neman operation.
According to preliminary data, as a result of coordinated action on the territory of CSTO member States, more than 432 kg of drugs were confiscated from illegal circulation on the territory of CSTO member States, including around 432 kg of precursors. As a result of coordinated action throughout the CSTO member States, 432 kg of drugs were confiscated, including 341 kg of marijuana, more than 810 kg of plants containing narcotic substances, more than 33 kg of hashish, more than 7.8 kg of mephedrone and almost 9 kg of methamphetamine, 2.8 kg of heroin and 26 kg of precursors.
361 drug crimes were detected. 41 drug gangs were exposed. 298 persons were brought to administrative responsibility for illegal drug operations. 59 Internet sites were detected through which the illegal information on drugs was disseminated. Forty-three firearms and about 2,500 ammunition were seized.
During the operation financial intelligence units of the EAG member-states revealed 1300 suspicious financial transactions of 29 citizens to the total sum of 100 million rubles.
In addition, the competent authorities of the CSTO member states conducted a number of international controlled deliveries. A number of smuggling channels of controlled compounds were blocked.
The participants of the MCG visited the Ussov border outpost. They visited the V. Usov border post and the road checkpoint "Privalka" located on the Belarusian-Polish and Belarusian-Lithuanian borders, where they familiarized themselves with the work of customs and border services and were shown the work of inspection equipment and search dogs. During the visit to JSC "Grodno-Azot" we studied the best practices of organization of precursors' storage.
Within the framework of the Headquarters a round table was held on the problems of combating the spread of synthetic drugs and their precursors, the fight against cannabis cultivation in the Central Asian region and the involvement of special forces of the Collective Security Treaty Organization in special anti-drug operations.
Soldiers of the Special Purpose Police Unit of the Department of Internal Affairs of the Grodno Regional Executive Committee demonstrated practical actions to detain armed drug dealers.
Joint work to strengthen and expand cooperation in the fight against illicit drug trafficking continues.