Countering illegal sale of drugs online focus of OSCE-supported training course in Kazakhstan

The latest trends in using the Internet to illegally buy and sell drugs and how to counter this phenomenon were the focus of an OSCE-supported training course for law enforcement officials from Kazakhstan’s Regional Hub to Counter Global Threats which concluded on 18 May 2018 in Astana.

The four-day event brought together some 15 law enforcement officers and instructors from law enforcement educational institutions representing the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Central Asian Regional Information and Co-ordination Centre for Combating Illicit Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and their Precursors (CARICC) and the Interior Ministry’s Anti-Drug Units.

The participants learned about monitoring web-based platforms used for conducting illegal activities, the criminal use of messenger services, payment instruments as well as software for using the Darknet and the Deep Web. Experts referenced case studies to illustrate ways to effectively conduct online investigations.

The course was organized by the Programme Office in Astana in co-operation with the United States Embassy in Astana Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. It is part of the OSCE Programme Office’s multi-year efforts to build the host country’s capacity to effectively address the illicit trafficking of drugs.