OSCE supports training of customs and police officers in Kazakhstan on countering transnational organized crime and drug trafficking

PAVLODAR, Kazakhstan, 2 November 2016 – An OSCE-supported training seminar aimed at building the capacity of law enforcement to address transnational threats with a focus on trafficking in drugs, new psychoactive substances and synthetic drugs began today in Pavlodar, Kazakhstan.

During the three-day event some 30 customs and police officers, as well as prosecutors of the General Prosecutor’s Office from around the country will learn best national and international practices.

The trainers include national and international experts from Belarus, the United States of America, the Central Asian Regional Information Co-ordination Centre for Combating the Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and their Precursors (CARICC), and the Karaganda Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The experts will provide an overview of the current situation in Central Asia and Afghanistan, and the legal framework for countering transnational organized crime and trafficking of drugs. They will also focus on methods to counter the smuggling of drugs across borders.

“The OSCE has long prioritized building the law-enforcement agencies’ capacity to combat transnational organized crime, in particular illegal trafficking in drugs,” said Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana Ambassador György Szabó. “Only through shared experience and co-operation between participating States and government agencies can law-enforcement officials better address this scourge.”

Deputy Head at the Training Centre of the State Revenues Committee Muratzhan Dzhangozin said: “Through this training we hope to enhance the knowledge of employees engaged in the fight against drug trafficking and help them save thousands of lives by stopping the flow of funds to organized criminal groups.”

The event was co-organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, the State Revenue Committee of the Finance Ministry and the United States Embassy in Kazakhstan. It is part of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana's activities to build the host country’s capacities to prevent and counter transnational organized crime and drug trafficking.