Activities of the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Center (CARICC) in countering drug trafficking and illicit financial flows

Source: Paris Pact

Geographical area: Global

Date: 10 November 2021


As of October 2021[1], CARICC has facilitated 43 drug enforcement operations, including 23 international controlled deliveries. As a result, over 700 kg of drugs, including the those originating in Afghanistan, have been seized. Despite the limitations imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the centre successfully conducted five operations since the second half of 2020, aiming to destroy the transnational organized crime groups that supplied Afghan drugs. This resulted in the seizure of 56 kg of heroin and 100 kg of methamphetamine worth nearly 9 million USD.

CARICC admits that anti-money laundering measures related to drugs and confiscation of assets from transnational organized crime group are insufficient.

In this regard, CARICC developed the legal basis for operational practices aimed at identifying ways of cross-border movement of illicit money, their arrest and confiscation. The Centre also promotes the "Follow the money" strategy and capacity building of personnel in combating the money laundering using the virtual assets.

CARICC operations directly contribute to the implementation of specific operational recommendations adopted under the Pillar I (Regional Cooperation) of the Vienna Declaration, which serves as a roadmap for the Paris Pact Initiative. In particular, they respond to the call for a better use of regional law enforcement centers for timely exchange of criminal intelligence and coordination among the law enforcement agencies of Paris Pact Partner States. 
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[1] As reported at the Paris Pact Expert Working Group on Illicit Financial Flows (Vienna, 7-8 October 2021)