Andrey Khrapov: the interaction of law enforcement agencies in the CSTO space makes it possible to keep the drug situation under control

"Allies. CSTO": Andrey Ivanovich, in June of this year, the 20th anniversary of the Coordinating Council of Heads of Competent Authorities for Combating Illicit Drug Trafficking (CCBCD) of the CSTO member states was celebrated. What are the main results of the work carried out?

Andrey Khrapov: In 2005, due to the increase in drug smuggling to our countries, primarily heroin and hashish from Afghanistan, by decision of the CSTO Collective Security Council, the CSTO was established, whose main task was to maintain constant interaction between the member states on the entire range of issues related to combating drug trafficking.

The most important tool for achieving these goals has become the permanent international operation “Channel”, during the active stages of which serious law enforcement forces of the CSTO member states are involved under the leadership of the International Headquarters.

To date, 39 such stages have already been carried out, as a result of which more than 80 tons of drugs and 50 tons of precursors were prevented from entering the underground drug market of our countries only from 2017 to 2025.

This year, the implementation of the Anti–Drug Strategy of the CSTO member states for 2021-2025 is coming to an end. An updated Anti-Drug Strategy for the period up to 2030 is currently being prepared, which will take into account the specifics of modern challenges and threats posed by drug trafficking, as well as propose ways to address them. Summing up, it can be noted that the interaction of law enforcement agencies in the CSTO space, thanks to well-established cooperation mechanisms, makes it possible to keep the drug situation under control and effectively counter organized drug crime.

"Allies. CSTO": How do you assess the current situation regarding drug trafficking and consumption in the CSTO space and what are the prospects for its development?

Andrey Khrapov: As a result of the measures taken by the competent authorities, the situation in the field of drug trafficking in the CSTO area remains controlled and relatively stable.

The main influence on the drug situation is exerted by such factors as the smuggling of drugs into the territory of the CSTO member states or transit towards EU countries, the active spread of synthetic drugs, and, as a result, the expansion of clandestine drug production, the tendency towards an increase in non-medical consumption of medicines containing psychoactive substances, as well as contactless drug distribution using the Internet, electronic payment instruments, the active use of thematic forums and social networks for involvement of citizens in drug use and drug crime.

The activities of organized groups and criminal communities, including transnational ones, continue to pose a serious threat.

Against this background, it can be assumed that the development of the drug situation in the coming years will occur with the active use of innovative communication technologies and modern financial instruments for the legalization of proceeds from criminal activities. It is also predicted that the conspiracy of drug smuggling channels will increase.

At the same time, it should be noted that dubious initiatives emanating from a number of states in the collective West to transform international drug policy in terms of weakening drug control and recognizing their recreational use as a socially acceptable norm. A number of countries have already made appropriate legislative adjustments, and now they are persistently seeking the same decisions from other members of the global community.

However, in none of the drug-liberal countries has this policy led to a recovery of the drug situation, on the contrary, it is deteriorating rapidly.

In this regard, the CSTO member states are making common efforts aimed at anticipating negative scenarios of changes in the situation in the field of drug trafficking. Serious attention, in particular, is being paid to the prevention of drug crime and drug use, as well as to improving the human resources of law enforcement agencies.

All coordinated actions of law enforcement agencies in the CSTO area of responsibility are based on a strong belief in the need to preserve traditional drug policy and strive for a drug-free society.

"Allies. CSTO": How is the training of personnel for anti–drug authorities carried out in the CSTO member states? Are there uniform standards?

Andrey Khrapov: The competent authorities of the CSTO member states pay close attention to the training of anti–drug personnel. The All-Russian Institute of Advanced Training of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia and the Siberian Law Institute of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia have been identified as the basic educational institutions of the CSTO, which have developed appropriate curricula. There is already extensive experience, pedagogical methods have been tested, and a unique teaching staff has been formed.

They provide systematic training to law enforcement and other competent authorities of the CSTO member states. In 2023-2024 alone, about 700 employees of interested departments of the CSTO member states took part in advanced training courses.

In recent years, distance learning technologies have been actively used in educational processes, which, in addition to traditional teaching methods, make it possible to ensure the professional development of employees of anti-drug units. For example, in April of this year, Kazakh colleagues organized an online refresher course on the topic "Modern technologies, forms and methods of work on drug addiction prevention."

In addition, seminars, trainings, round tables and other events are held with CSTO partners aimed at sharing work experience and discussing practical working methods used to counteract current challenges and threats.

Training and exchange of work experience with the participation of representatives of the competent authorities of all CSTO member states allows not only to achieve mutual understanding in the field of countering drug crime, but also to form working contacts that contribute to greater effectiveness in solving the common tasks we face.

"Allies. CSTO": How actively is the CSTO developing cooperation on the anti-drug track with other international organizations and third countries?

Andrey Khrapov: The CSTO's cooperation with international organizations and third countries on the anti-drug track is based on the principle of openness and readiness for mutually beneficial cooperation.

Based on this, contacts are underway with the UNODC, the SCO, the CIS, the EAG, CARICC, ASEAN and Interpol. Close cooperation is also underway with the competent authorities of Iran and China, which regularly participate in the active stages of Operation Channel. Earlier, Afghan law enforcement agencies were also involved in this operation, as well as representatives of over 20 anti-drug agencies from European and Asian countries as observers. Constructive cooperation with foreign partners is also conducted through the training of anti-drug personnel. The practice developed by the CSTO member states in this area was presented at the UN Security Council in 2024 and aroused great interest among the participants.

We believe that countering drug trafficking remains the task of the entire international community, and we are ready to establish contacts with all interested competent authorities of foreign states and international organizations.

"Allies. CSTO": The Afghan direction of the CSTO's activities remains one of the most important. The de facto leadership of the country, represented by the Taliban movement, claims that it has managed to significantly reduce drug production. Is it so?

Andrey Khrapov: Afghanistan continues to have a significant impact on the situation in the CSTO member states, through which the so-called "Northern Route" of drug trafficking passes.

Although the ban on opium cultivation, introduced after the change of government in the country, initially led to a significant reduction in drug cultivation in Afghanistan, recent UNODC research shows that there is again a trend towards an increase in the area of drug crops.

There is also information that the stocks of opium drugs accumulated before the introduction of this ban may last for several more years.

The situation is aggravated by the growing production of synthetic drugs in Afghanistan, primarily methamphetamine from local plant raw materials. In the states located on the "Northern Route", including Russia, arrests of large quantities of this drug have already been recorded.

Taking into account these factors, the organization of coordinated work to curb the smuggling of any type of drugs from Afghanistan to the CSTO member states remains a priority area of the CCBCD activities.

"Allies. CSTO": In your opinion, what is the most important thing in terms of suppressing drug trafficking? How to protect loved ones from harm?

Andrey Khrapov: One of the main tasks facing law enforcement agencies is to prevent the involvement of citizens, and especially the younger generation, in drug trafficking. At the same time, we clearly understand that the problem of drug addiction cannot be solved by force alone.

Therefore, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia is constantly carrying out preventive work aimed at reducing the demand for drugs and fostering strong immunity to drug use in children and adolescents.

Given the growing informatization of society, innovative mechanisms for involving adolescents and youth in anti-drug activities are being promoted. The volunteer anti–drug movement is supported and developed on the principle of "equal - equal", which makes it possible to raise public awareness of the effects of drugs on the body and the inevitable consequences, including legal and judicial ones.

Drug addiction prevention involves youth switching to a healthy lifestyle. Various social events, including sports, promote patriotism, loyalty to traditions, courage and responsibility.

Interdepartmental operational and preventive operations ("Children of Russia", "Clean Generation") and all-Russian anti-drug actions ("Inform where death is traded", "Draftee") are conducted annually in Russia, the number of events within which has increased by a third over the past three years, and the total coverage of participants has reached almost 2.5 million people..

Comprehensive drug prevention is also underway in the rest of the CSTO member states. Everyone can participate in the formation of a healthy environment capable of resisting youth subcultures, including those promoting drug use, and assist law enforcement agencies in preventing offenses and antisocial actions related to drug trafficking.