OSCE helps Uzbek police officers share experiences with Austrian colleagues in tackling illicit drug trafficking

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan organized from 11 to 15 November 2013 a study visit to Austria for representatives of Uzbek law enforcement agencies, to learn best practices in tackling drug trafficking.

The trip focused on targeting and profiling air freights and cargo at Vienna airport, the role of the Criminal Intelligence Service in fighting illicit drug circulation and the use of information technology systems for this purpose.

Austrian and Uzbek representatives agreed to continue co-operating in the fight against drug trafficking through training Uzbek law enforcement officials, developing the capacity of local dog handler services, and improving data collection and management systems.

The visit is part of an on-going co-operative effort between the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan and the inter-agency National Centre on Drug Control (NCDC). The group was composed of mid-level officers from the Uzbek National Security Service, Ministry of Interior, State Customs Committee and were led by the Head of the NCDC.