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UNODC Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighboring Countries 2015 SEMI-ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT

Table of Contents

Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 1

Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries ........................................... 1

Donors ......................................................................................................................................... 2

From the Regional Representative .............................................................................................. 3

The RP’s Senior Management Team ........................................................................................... 4

Programme Steering Committee Meeting .................................................................................. 5

Independent Evaluation of the Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries………………………………………..………………………………………………………. 6

Partnerships ................................................................................................................................. 7

Special initiatives ......................................................................................................................... 8

Key Achievements ....................................................................................................................... 9

Regional Law Enforcement Cooperation (SP I) ............................................................................... 10

Achievements ............................................................................................................................ 10

Looking Forward ........................................................................................................................ 12

Interational/Regional Cooperation in Legal Matters (SP II) .......................................................... 13

Achievements ............................................................................................................................ 14

Looking Forward ........................................................................................................................ 16

Prevention and Treatment of Drug Dependence among Vulnerable Groups (SP III) ................... 17

Looking Forward ........................................................................................................................ 19

Trends and Impacts (SP IV) ............................................................................................................. 20

Achievements ............................................................................................................................ 20

Looking Forward ........................................................................................................................ 24

Annex ............................................................................................................................................... 25

Seizures & Arrests ...................................................................................................................... 25


Acronyms

AKT Afghanistan-Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan

AML/CFT Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism

AOTP Afghanistan Opiate Trade Project

APICC Asia Pacific Intelligence Chiefs Conference

ATS Amphetamine-Type Stimulants

CARICC Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre

CASH Criminal Assets Southern Hub

DCA Drug Control Agency

EAG Eurasian Group on Combating Money-Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism

EUROJUST European Union’s Judicial Cooperation Unit

FAST Family and Schools Together

GCIC Gulf Criminal Intelligence Centre

GPML United Nations Global Programme against Money Laundering

INCAS Iranian National Centre for Addiction Studies

INTERPOL International Criminal Police Organization

JPC Joint Planning Cell

MaReS Maritime Regional Cooperation Framework

MVTS Money Value Transfer System

PPI Paris Pact Initiative

PCM Prosecutors Case Meeting

RP Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries

RIWGP Intelligence Working Groups on Precursors

RWGFD Working Group on Forensic Capacity and Drugs


SELEC Southeast European Law Enforcement Center

TI Triangular Initiative

UNCAC United Nations Convention against Corruption

UNODC United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime


Introduction

The Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries is UNODC’s framework to support the countries of West and Central Asia to develop regional and international joint responses to counter the harmful impact of illicit narcotics trafficking on security, governance and social and economic development. The RP comprises four Sub-programmes, namely (SP I) Regional Law Enforcement Cooperation, (SP II) International-Regional Cooperation in Legal Matters, (SP III) Prevention and Treatment of Drug Dependence among Vulnerable Groups and (SP IV) Trends and Impacts. The RP is the platform for UNODC, the eight countries and international partners to coordinate and facilitate counter-narcotics efforts across the region.

Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries

The RP covers eight countries: Afghanistan, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

Country and Regional Programmes Structure

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Donors

UNODC Regional Programme is thankful to the generous support of donors including the Governments of Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Norway, the Russian Federation, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States, and the European Union provides the necessary impetus for the work of the RP.

Total Funding – US$ 24,799,382

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From the Regional Representative

With the Transformation Decade (2015-2024), the Government of Afghanistan seeks to review and revise previous political, security, development and counter-narcotics interventions to establish a platform for self-reliance, prosperity, stability and peace. The Transformation Decade offers the opportunity to develop and implement new priority activities in conjunction with regional and international partners to promote the further development of the licit economy for a future for Afghanistan and the region that is free from insecurity related to narcotics trafficking.

Regional cooperation forms a key component of the Transformation Decade. To this end, the RP continued to provide an effective platform for cooperation, joint work and confidence-building between Afghanistan and its neighbours in countering narcotics. Through this platform, extensive technical capacity-building was provided in the first half of 2015 to help the countries of the region to achieve significant results in countering the production, trafficking and use of narcotics in the region and beyond. Under the framework of the RP, closer cooperation has been achieved between law enforcement agencies of RP countries and their partners in the international community. Through the Regional Program, UNODC promoted the uptake of international best

practice in criminal matters. The programme has enhanced treatment capacity to reduce drug demand and delivered treatment services to drug-dependent refugees. Other results include increasing the understanding of government officials of narcotics trafficking of Afghan opiates, and advocacy for counter-narcotics activities. In addition, the RP continues to support the UNODC Country Office for Afghanistan in its efforts to strengthen the capacity of the Government of Afghanistan and to assist in reducing the consequences of drug production, trafficking and use and related crime in the country in line with the new National Unity Government’s “Realizing Self-Reliance” strategy put forward at the London Conference held on 4 December 2014. With regard to governance of the RP, I am extremely pleased at the endorsements we received from the Annual Programme Steering Committee Meeting, which was attended by Heads of Drug Agencies, and held in Ashgabat in May, as well as form the Independent Mid-Term Evaluation. Both highlighted the programme relevance and impact and the need for its extension into future phases. The Senior Management Team of the RP have begun extensive engagement with key partners

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and donors in programme countries to inform the development of RP Phase II (2016 to 2019). Consultations have already been undertaken with key partner ministries of the Government of Afghanistan in addition to a donor briefing in Kabul in June. Going forward, there will be similar consultations with counterparts in all RP countries to seek their inputs on the vision and priority actions for 2016 to 2019 before the Phase II programme design is concluded. In addition to the priority activities outlined above, another key priority is to effectively communicate the programme of work, achievements and challenges of implementing the RP. This Report is part of the revised communications and reporting strategy for stakeholders and supplements our previously-established communications and reporting to stakeholders on activities, successes and challenges. Further illustrations of increased communication and advocacy with RP stakeholders include the newly launched RP website (www.unodc.org/rpanc) carrying content including publications, reports, press releases and pictures, and a dedicated RP email address ([email protected]). The RP will continue to provide the framework for regional cooperation to counter the production, trafficking and use of narcotics in Afghanistan and the region in the latter half of 2015, a process to be continued through Phase II of the programme, which will run through to the end of 2019. We express our sincere gratitude to programme countries, donors and the RP Senior Management Team for their dedication, support and hard work, without which the RP would not be the success it is.

Andrey Avetisyan Regional Representative for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries Special Adviser to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Counter-Narcotics.

The RP’s Senior Management Team

Jeremy Milsom Senior Programme Coordinator

Yusuf Mollaoglu

Programme Coordinator: Regional Law Enforcement Cooperation (SP I)

Ali Hajigholam-Saryadzi

Programme Coordinator: International-Regional Cooperation in Legal Matters (SP II)

Nadeem Rehman

Programme Coordinator: Prevention and Treatment of Drug Dependence among Vulnerable Groups (SP III)

Senyo Agbohlah

Programme Coordinator:

Trends and Impacts (SP IV)

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mailto:[email protected]


Programme Steering Committee Meeting

6th May 2015 - Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

The annual Programme Steering Committee Meeting, held in Ashgabat on Wednesday 6 May, was the first meeting of the Committee held in the region instead of at UNODC headquarters in Vienna. We express or gratitude to the Government of Turkmenistan for their hospitality in hosting this meeting.

Heads of drug control agencies of RP countries attended the meeting along with representatives from Finland, Japan and the Russian Federation. During the course of the meeting, representatives of the RP presented the key achievements of 2014, priorities for 2015 determined through regular consultations with member countries as well as initial thinking on Phase II of the Programme which will run from 2016 till 2019.

All RP countries welcomed the programme's strong contributions and results-orientated approach to efforts to counter the illicit drug production and trafficking and related socio-

economic harms in the region and beyond as well as formally adopting the strategic priorities outlined for 2015. With regards to Phase II, the RP outlined plans to build on effective training, capacity-building, networking and information sharing activities, which are delivering tangible outcomes. Programme countries unanimously endorsed the continuation of the RP into Phase II, and expressed strong interest in continuing to actively participate in the Programme.

Going forward, the RP Senior Management Team will circulate the concept note for Phase II and undertake country-by-country visits to hold briefings and solicit inputs on the design of the future workplan from donors, support countries and national governments. This began in Afghanistan in mid-June and will take in all RP countries and culminate in the launch of Phase II of the Programme towards the end of 2015.

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Independent Evaluation of the Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries

The RP underwent an in‐depth, mid‐term evaluation by the Independent Evaluation Unit of the United Nations. The Evaluation outlined the relevance (internationally and regionally) of the RP with regards to generating regional dialogue and promoting an integrated programming approach. While recognizing the sometimes challenging political environment in which the Programme operates, the Independent Evaluation further states that the RP is well designed and flexible in response to the needs of programme countries.

The Independent Evaluation also outlines areas which could be improved including increasing staffing levels in some areas, obtaining longer-term guidance on possible future achievements and providing equal support to all aspects of the Programme. The mid‐term evaluation report was recently published and is available at:

http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/evaluation/indepth-evaluations-2015.html

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http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/evaluation/indepth-evaluations-2015.html


Partnerships Addressing illicit drug trafficking and related transnational organized crime in West and Central Asia is an immense challenge. The human, technical and financial resources available to counter the scourge are stretched thin as nations work to cope with a complex problem that is constantly evolving. To ensure the most comprehensive and effective coverage, the RP seeks to forge strong partnerships with the various regional and international bodies working in the region. Over the past six months, joint activities and sharing of expertise has taken place with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the Eurasian Group on Combating Money-Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism (EAG), Interpol, Europol, the World Customs Organization and the European Union Heroin Route II Project. In addition, programme collaboration has been discussed with United Nations agencies, the Collective Security Treaty Organization, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Within UNODC, the RP has become the centre piece of a new strategy to harmonize programmes at the country, regional and global levels. The RP aligns activities with the Country Programmes for Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran and the Programme for Central Asia to ensure complementarity and economies of scale with regards to efficient programming and sharing of expertise. This is further illustrated by the close cooperation between the RP and the Global Programmes such as the Global Programme on Money Laundering, the Container Control Programme and the Afghan Opiate Trade Project. The RP connects West and Central Asia with neighbouring regions, through the Networking the Networks Initiative, which supports, among other work, the linking of the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre (CARICC) and the Joint Planning Cell (JPC) with the Southeast European Law Enforcement Center (SELEC), the Gulf Criminal Intelligence Centre (GCIC) and the Asia Pacific Intelligence Chiefs Conference (APICC). At the strategic level, the RP coordinates closely with the Paris Pact Initiative and also the Heart of Asia (Istanbul) Process. The Paris Pact has served for many years as a crucial strategic guiding body for UNODC programming in the region and the RP is a primary operational vehicle for the Paris Pact, helping translate the recommendations of the expert working groups into action. The Heart of Asia Process complements the Paris Pact, being a partnership of countries more closely neighbouring Afghanistan. The RP has been engaged with the Counter Narcotics Confidence Building Measure of the Heart of Asia Process and is helping deliver the goals and outcomes pursued by that group.

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SPECIAL initiatives

AKT The Afghanistan-Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan (AKT) Initiative is aimed at strengthening cross-border cooperation in law enforcement and legal matters between these countries at the starting point of the Northern Route for trafficking narcotics from Afghanistan.

CASH The CASH Initiative was launched in January 2012 to enhance the capacity of countries in West and Central Asia to address cross-border illicit money flows and to facilitate exchange of experience and best practices on matters related to anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT). So far under the CASH Initiative, ten regional meetings of national financial intelligence units of RP countries have been organized along with several meetings of subregional financial intelligence units (among the TI and AKT countries). Moreover, the RP model bilateral MoU on AML/CFT was developed and shared with Programme countries. Some countries have already signed the MoU on AML / CFT which has helped them to establish a stronger legal basis for regional cooperation on AML / CFT as well as exchange requests / information on “Suspicious Financial Transactions”.

TI The Triangular Initiative (TI) is composed of three countries including the Islamic Republics of Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. The overall objective of this initiative is to improve communication and strengthen cooperation against illicit trafficking of drugs and precursor chemicals. Under the TI, biannual meetings at Senior Officials level as well as Ministerial levels are held and the member states review the progress so as to take remedial actions.

MaReS With the increasing importance of maritime routes in trafficking of narcotics, goods and people, the Maritime Regional Cooperation Framework (MaReS) has been established with the aim of boosting cooperation and operational action with the use of maritime trafficking avenues, primarily along the southern route.

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KEY Achievements

Regional Law Enforcement Cooperation (SP I) Substantial seizures of narcotics and related

arrests as a result of capacity-building,

information sharing and joint operations (see

annex).

Technical, expert-level meetings on forensics and

precursors to enable participants to share

experiences and to plan, undertake and review

joint operations.

Advanced, technical training delivered to build

operational capacity in interdiction techniques.

Prevention and Treatment of Drug Dependence among Vulnerable Groups (SP III) Significant progress on implementation of the

Family and Schools Together (FAST)

Programme to include scaling up in

Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Iran,

Pakistan and Uzbekistan.

Comprehensive HIV prevention services were

continued in RP supported Drop in centres in

Iran and Pakistan for large numbers of male,

female and adolescent Afghan returnees, and

returnees and refugees.

International/Regional Cooperation in Legal Matters (SP II) Training on international standards in “Investigative

Techniques of Transnational Corruption Offences”

provided to the RP countries to improve national

capacity of the countries in the region with regard

to better implementation of the United Nations

Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and

harmonization of national legislations/legal

frameworks in line with international

standards/norms.

Technical training provided to experts in the region

to better address “Cross-Border Illicit Money Flows”

and the legal obstacles and issues that prevent

successful controlled delivery operations.

Regional cooperation in criminal matters was

promoted through reinforcing the network of

contacts among relevant national counterparts

(Financial Intelligence Units, Customs, General

Prosecutors’ Offices and Drug Control Agencies).

Comprehensive legal advisory services and

mentorship provided to senior managers and

operative level staff of Financial Investigation Units,

law enforcement, customs, prosecutors and other

relevant national agencies of the RP countries.

Trends and Impacts (SP IV) Commencement of the Youth Drug-Use Survey

Project with week-long technical training for

research professionals from RP countries in

conducting national surveys. The Project will

ultimately lead to the production of Youth Drug-

Use Surveys in RP countries. In a number of

countries, it will be the first ever such survey of

such kind.

Ground-breaking research undertaken, namely

the first ever technical study on key elements

and market characteristics of small arms

trafficking between Afghanistan and Pakistan,

illicit financial flows and the Balkan Route.

Discussions and debates between Ministers

from RP countries and 400 university students

on public awareness, public perceptions and

necessary steps to promote greater regional

cooperation on countering narcotics in the

region at the Regional Media Forum in

Dushanbe.

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REGIONAL Law Enforcement Cooperation (SP I)

Effective law enforcement remains the critical cornerstone to countering the production, trafficking and use of narcotics. The transnational nature of the illicit trade in Afghan opiates and related criminal activity requires cooperation between enforcement agencies of the region and wider international community. The RP law enforcement Sub-programme (SP I) delivers and promotes technical, skills-based

training on operational effectiveness as well as the procurement of necessary materials. SP I also facilitates relationship building and cooperation between enforcement agencies of RP countries as well as with key external bodies including CARICC, the Southeast European Law Enforcement Center and Europol that is helping to deliver tangible results in terms of seizures and arrests of criminal gangs. SP I promotes regional cooperation in areas including precursor control, drugs and forensics, through two vehicles including the Regional Intelligence Working Group on Precursors (RIWGP), and the Regional Working Group on Forensic Capacity and Drugs (RWGFD). Both Working Groups provide platforms for information sharing, operational cooperation and joint operations in the region.

Achievements The operational Precursor Case Meeting (PCM) was conducted in Dushanbe in March during which 10 precursor investigation cases were reviewed by officials from the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Tajikistan and China. In addition, the participants had bilateral meetings so as to share intelligence information regarding the on-going cases. The eighth meeting of the RIWGP was held in April in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan with participation of eight RP countries. At this meeting, the participants reviewed the recent precursor seizures, and determined investigation cases for operational case meetings. In addition, the participants of the RIWGP drafted an operation plan for the Second Phase of the Operation Substitute, which aims to identify illicit trafficking of precursor chemicals as well as track the movement of non controlled substances.

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The first meeting of RWGFD in Almaty in April is a prime example of the ground-breaking work the RP is doing to promote technical cooperation and information sharing among countries of the region to work together to tackle problems related to narcotics. The objective of this working group is to bring together investigators and forensic laboratory staff of RP countries to review the situation, share forensic information and discuss regional operational mechanisms and joint investigations. The RIWGP has proven to be an effective platform for law enforcement and regulatory authorities to review recent precursor seizures in the region, foster regional backtracking investigations, and reinforce further the role of CARICC and JPC as information hubs and operational coordination mechanisms. Furthermore, SP I delivered a "Training of Trainers and Advanced Level Training Course in Precursor Control" in June in Dushanbe for RP countries. At the training, experts from the French police and customs presented the latest interdiction techniques and shared information on new synthetic drugs. In the evaluation following the training, more than 70% of the trainees indicated that they would be able to apply the knowledge and skills acquired at the training in their work. SP I also provides comprehensive capacity-building and operational best practice support and networking opportunities for criminal justice actors in the region to tackle narcotics. In the first half of 2015, this included supporting the organization of the AKT Ministerial Review Meeting held in May in Dushanbe, at which law enforcement and judicial officials from drug control agencies, ministries of foreign affairs, general prosecutor’s offices and financial intelligence units of the AKT countries discussed legal and enforcement cooperation in tandem to allow for the formulation of strategies that support operations right through to prosecutions. Participants felt that bringing together law enforcement and judicial authorities was crucial to boost the overall impact of counter-narcotics efforts in the region. Furthermore, the second regional workshop on “Promoting Regional Cooperation in Controlled Delivery and Joint Investigative Teams was ” held in April in Almaty in collaboration with the European Union Heroin Route II Project involving senior law enforcement officials and legal experts from eight RP countries and the officials from CARICC, JPC, the Russian Federation, Interpol and European Union. Activities undertaken under SP I have resulted in substantial seizures of narcotics and arrests of individuals in and beyond RP countries. A comprehensive list of these is given in the annex.

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Looking Forward During the third and fourth quarter of 2015, progress

towards the objectives of SP I will continue through meetings, training exercises and events.

RIWGP meeting – third or fourth quarter 2015

RWGFD meeting – third or fourth quarter 2015

Table-top exercise and training course on the secure communication platforms CENCOMM2 – third quarter 2015

Operational case meeting under the RWGFD – third quarter 2015

Precursor case meeting under the RIWGP – third quarter 2015

Operation Substitute – third and fourth quarter 2015

Debrief on operation substitute – fourth quarter 2015

LOOKING forward

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INTERNATIONAL/ REGIONAL

Cooperation in Legal Matters (SP II)

Effective regional criminal justice cooperation can be hindered by different legal systems and gaps in appropriate national legal provisions. SP II of the RP is working with countries in West and Central Asia to both strengthen legislative and regulatory frameworks, and to bring countries together to harmonize national legislation to strengthen regional responses to illicit drugs and trans-national organized crime.

SP II works to build regional and international legal cooperation in a range of areas central to the mandate of UNODC, including the following: providing training on judicial cooperation, enhancing cooperation on mutual legal assistance, extradition and transfer of foreign prisoners, and supporting the establishment and strengthening of central authorities. This is achieved through various regional workshops and training sessions and facilitating better contact between relevant judicial authorities in the region.

The second major focus of SP II is money laundering and illicit financial flows, with the aim of increasing seizures of the proceeds of the trafficking of illicit drugs and precursors in RP countries (under the RP CASH Initiative). The RP prioritizes capacity-building for national authorities through workshops, the sharing of relevant legislation and model agreements or memorandums of understanding, the establishment and meetings of Financial Investigation Units, and providing support for a ‘Regional Anti-Money Laundering Group of Experts in West and Central Asia’.

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Achievements During the first half of 2015, SP II successfully assisted the countries in the region to enhance regional cooperation in relevant legal areas to strengthen responses to narcotics-related criminal cases. SP II achieved this by enhancing the capacity of the countries in various technical areas including, control delivery and joint investigation as well as money-laundering and illicit financial flows. SP II also supported the harmonization of legislative frameworks to achieve closer compliance with international standards and norms, facilitated contact between relevant judicial authorities (networking) and supported institutions responsible for international-regional cooperation in criminal justice to better address drug related threats and crimes. Through the provision of technical training courses, workshops and legal advisory services, countries have been able to strengthen operations and develop joint actions to counter drug related threats and crimes. This support helped facilitate the expansion of opportunities for real time exchange of information on suspicious financial transactions, among others.

Enhancing Regional Cooperation and Coordination In the first half of 2015, SP II organized a range of regional events that provided significant support for regional cooperation and coordination to address criminal matters (drug related crimes) in the region. A regional workshop on “Investigative Techniques of Transnational Corruption Offences” was organized in March 2015 in Tehran. The workshop focused on building the national capacity of the countries in the region in a range of areas including: better implementation of the UNCAC and harmonization of the national legislations/legal frameworks in line with international standards/norms; strengthening inter-agency cooperation among the relevant institutions of the countries in West and Central Asia; and trust-building among partner institutions of the countries in the region to improve their international/regional cooperation in legal matters. The workshop also provided an opportunity to identify the priority needs (including institutional development) of the RP countries that require UNODC's further technical assistance.

A second regional workshop on “Promoting regional cooperation in Control Delivery and Joint Investigative Teams” was held in April 2015 in Almaty in close cooperation with CARICC and with the technical support provided by the European Union Heroin Route II Project. More than 40 senior experts/practitioners from RP countries (Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) as well as experts from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Belarus, the Russian Federation, the European Union, EUROJUST and Interpol attended the workshop. The workshop created a platform for participants to discuss legal tools, operational practices and material resources to carry out effective controlled delivery operations; ways to improve their ability to detect sources and destinations of drug shipments; and how to effectively dismantle organized criminal groups involved in drug trafficking. The workshop addressed the strengthening of timely information exchange

Promoting regional cooperation in Control Delivery and Joint Investigative Teams

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through existing regional and international structures including CARICC, JPC, World Customs Organization and Interpol.

A regional workshop on “Supporting successful prosecutions and other disruptions by building, enhancing and networking financial investigation capacity in national Law Enforcement Agencies" was organized in May 2015 in Tashkent. The workshop was inter-regional and co-organized with the United Nations Global Programme against Money Laundering (GPML), the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and EAG. More than 40 senior experts/practitioners from RP countries and EAG member countries attended the workshop. The Regional Workshop delivered on key observations agreed during recent Paris Pact meetings as well as Financial Action Task Force studies on financial flows deriving from the illicit trafficking of opiates from Afghanistan. It provided a forum for senior experts/practitioners to learn and share good practices from the region and facilitated the identification and analysis of options for developing a financial investigation capability within law enforcement agencies and networking this capability with key stakeholders including prosecutors and financial investigation units. The value of joint capacity-building activities and critical importance of involving financial investigation units and prosecutors in enhancing the financial investigation capability of law enforcement agencies was highlighted in this event. The workshop concluded by adopting a set of recommendations to promote cooperation among the RP countries on the above specific subject matter. As an immediate practical follow-up, UNODC and its AML/CFT professionals will organize follow-up meetings for AML/CFT professionals to share operational financial intelligence on issues such as drug trafficking, terrorism and other serious crimes. SP II supported the organization of an AKT Ministerial Review Meeting (Dushanbe, May 2015). At this meeting participants gave their support to promoting “legal cooperation” between their countries. In this regard representatives from the ministries of foreign affairs, general prosecutor’s offices and financial intelligence units of the AKT countries discussed ways to jointly counter the drug problem by supporting law enforcement agencies in the region. This event also facilitated better networking among law enforcement and judicial institutions/agencies of the AKT countries and made preliminary recommendations for the next biennial operational roadmap.

Legal Advisory Services During the first half of 2015, the RP continued to provide legal advisory services and mentorship to senior managers and operator-level staff of financial investigation units, law enforcement, customs, prosecutors and other relevant national agencies of the RP countries. Through this activity, SP II continued to facilitate the harmonization of national legislative frameworks to achieve greater compliance with the UN Drugs and Crime Conventions as well as with international standards and norms by focusing on the collection and analysis of legislative frameworks of the RP countries (with regard to mutual legal assistance, extradition, anti-money laundering, transfer of criminal proceedings, and cooperation in freezing, seizing and confiscating of criminal assets). The RP also recommended that countries update relevant national laws. With respect to these key elements, attention was also given to the effectiveness of the work of relevant national authorities in ensuring that the process is streamlined, cooperation is prompt and predictable (within a set timeframe), human rights guarantees are adequate and the minimal standards on cooperation are upheld. The development/provision of technical assistance in Money Value Transfer System (MVTS) including modules on intelligence, investigation, disruption and community engagement; financial intelligence, collection and use; and financial disruption, including leveraging multi-agency and public sector capabilities, was discussed in detail with the RP countries in the first half of 2015. An MVTS training course module is close to completion and work is ongoing to develop financial

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disruption training workshops and provide advice and support on the creation of the GPML “financial disruption toolkit” and “disruption methodology.”

Looking Forward

LOOKING Forward

Assistance to the countries of the region in the area of international/regional cooperation in legal matters is more pertinent than ever. The governments of the region have recognized the need for additional support in developing their capacity to engage regionally to find solutions to shared problems.

The international community has also identified regional cooperation in criminal matters as one of the most viable options to provide solutions for drug control in the region. For these reasons, the RP will continue to strengthen the capacity of relevant judicial institutions in the region to better cooperate across borders in criminal matters, among others, through organizing a range of regional and inter-regional events in the second half of 2015. One of the aims of organizing the planned activities will be to further support better inter-agency cooperation among the relevant agencies (at the national and regional level) to boost regional/international cooperation in legal matters to better address transnational organized crime threats and challenges in RP countries.

Third Regional Workshop on "International and regional cooperation to combat Cybercrime" –

Dushanbe, third quarter, 2015.

Third Regional Workshop on “Combating illicit use of Money Value Transfer Services (MVTS) and

the 11th Regional FIU to FIU Meeting (to be conducted under the CASH Initiative – with support

from GPML) – Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan, third quarter, 2015.

Inter-regional Workshop on “Strengthening Cooperation between Financial Intelligence Units and

Law Enforcement Agencies in Combating the Laundering of Illicit Drug Trafficking Proceeds” (joint

RP/GPML/EAG activity) - Moscow, third quarter 2015.

Joint training on "Cash Couriers" for the AKT and TI countries respectively (to be conducted under

the CASH Initiative – with support from GPML) – Istanbul, Turkey – third quarter 2015.

Regional Workshop on “Harmonization of legislative frameworks to enable international/regional

cooperation in mutual legal assistance and extradition” – CARICC, Almaty, fourth quarter 2015.

Second Regional Meeting of General Prosecutors/Attorney Generals of the Countries in West and

Central Asia – Tashkent or Vienna, fourth quarter 2015.

All these activities aim to facilitate and provide a sound basis for promoting international/regional cooperation in criminal matters. They will also help countries in the region to better implement the drugs and crime conventions of the United Nations to more effectively address cases related to transnational organized crime.

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PREVENTION and Treatment of Drug Dependence among Vulnerable Groups (SP III)

The RP also undertakes a comprehensive programme of activities aimed at prevention and treatment of drug dependence among vulnerable groups. These are focused around three strategic areas: (i) promotion of international best practice in diagnosis and treatment provision; (ii) training for health care professionals in service delivery; and (iii) provision of comprehensive harm reduction services to improve prevention and treatment modalities in the region.

The internationally recognized FAST Programme, devoted to promoting evidence-based programmes, particularly family-skills training, continues to deliver tangible harm reduction in RP countries. Graduation ceremonies took place for three schools in

Kazakhstan. In order to enhance the capacity of FAST implementers it was

decided that additional training has to be provided. To achieve this extra training courses were organised.

A family-skills training programme resource centre was

established in Uzbekistan. To date, 60 families in the Samarkand Region of Uzbekistan and 224 families in Tehran have benefitted from FAST interventions. The expansion of FAST across the region means that more families are exposed to evidence-based anti-drug messaging. A rapid assessment of drug treatment services in RP countries is being finalized following constructive inputs from Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Once completed, the report will give policy makers and donors a comprehensive mapping of in-country

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treatment services to inform future policy decisions on treatment provision, prioritization and resource allocation. The consultative meeting on Drug Demand Reduction Coordination Centres was held 25–26 May in Almaty, with representation from six RP countries. At this meeting, the Republican Scientific Practical Centre of Medical and Social Problems of Drug Abuse in Pavlodar, Kazakhstan was nominated as the Regional Coordination Centre for 2015. In addition, two activities for 2015 were identified: firstly, development of the list of regional experts in drug demand reduction and HIV prevention and secondly, field visit to the Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS) in Tehran. The next meeting is scheduled for October 2015 in Pavlodar. Training of health-care professionals in the first half of the year included: Three-day training, 24-26

March 2015, for drug treatment managers was organized at the request of the Government of Turkmenistan. Around 30 drug treatment professionals from across the country (including nine females) participated in the training. An international trainer along with the RP SP III regional coordinator conducted the training on principles of drug treatment, alternatives to incarceration for drug users, drug treatment assessments, cost and

outcome evaluations of drug treatment services, management of opioid overdose, management of amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS), oral substitution treatment and so on. Treatment managers are well versed in international best practices of drug treatment and rehabilitation. The knowledge and skills gained during the training will enhance the quality of drug treatment services and improve treatment outcome.

From 9 to 11 February 2015 in Tehran, a regional training on ATS management was jointly organized by a regional network of non-governmental organizations, Drug Control Headquarters (Iran) and SP III. Professionals from RP countries participated. Through this training, participants are now able to identify and treat ATS patients in their respective countries.

In order to promote alternatives to incarceration, the SPIII is undertaking the following initiatives:

On-going development of model guidelines for systems of alternatives to incarceration for drug users; and

On-going development of toolkits/guidelines/protocols for law enforcement officials to engage with drug users.

These will introduce law enforcement professionals in RP countries to the effective use of non-custodial interventions for drug users. Ultimately, the aim of these interventions include the following: (i) breaking the cycle of drug use, imprisonment and recidivism; (ii) promoting rehabilitation; (iii) and helping to ease over-crowding in prisons. The provision of comprehensive harm reduction services to Afghan returnees is also a key component of RP treatment activities. In the period covered by this report, SP III provided the following: Residential treatment to around 94 drug users;

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Registration of 92 opioid users (including 30 injecting users) in the methadone maintenance programme in Mashhad, Iran;

Distribution of 110 syringes and 96 condoms; Provision of 148 hepatitis C tests; Organization of ten community awareness meetings; and Provision of social support (bathing, clothes, nutrition, antiseptic bandages, basic medical care)

to 621 clients.

Other reported activities

Under SP III, UNODC actively participated in the Development of the National Strategic Framework III (2015–2019) for HIV and advocated for inclusion of HIV Prevention services for female drug users, female prisoners and the returnee population in Afghanistan.

SP III facilitated the participation of Iranian youth who were nominated to attend a youth forum to discuss initiatives in the field of prevention and health promotion. At the forum the Iranian youth interacted with youth from other countries, learned from best practices and designed drug prevention programmes based on international best practices.

oking Forward Introductory session on SFP – third quarter 2015

The international addiction congress – third quarter 2015

Regional workshop on integrated HIV-related service delivery

including referrals – third quarter 2015

Consultative meeting on updating undergraduate medical curricula – fourth quarter 2015

In-service training for medical doctors – fourth quarter 2015

Consultative meeting on non-voluntary treatment – fourth quarter 2015

Assessment of health and social protection needs of returnees and refugees in select RP countries – fourth quarter 2015 (tentative)

Implementation of drug prevention programme in 2 schools in Iran – fourth quarter 2015 –

first quarter 2016 (tentative)

Implementation of drug prevention programme in 2 schools in Kazakhstan - fourth quarter 2015 – first quarter 2016 (tentative)

Implementation of drug prevention programme in 1 school in Afghanistan fourth quarter

2015 – first quarter 2016 (tentative) Family and School Together (FAST) programme training - TBI

LOOKING Forward

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– May 20 Under the RP, a comprehensive programme of work aims to fill critical gaps in trends analysis and impact-monitoring capacity of RP countries to strengthen evidence‐based policymaking efforts. This involves close cooperation with partner governments, the Afghan Opiate Trade Project, Paris Pact Initiative, and research at UNODC headquarters to strengthen capacities in data generation, collection, management, research and reporting

in the region. Furthermore, the RP Team works closely with the aforementioned partners to deliver

ground-breaking technical studies into under‐researched areas such as linkages between narcotics, socio‐economic factors and wider concerns of human security. The RP supports policy and advocacy work, giving countries opportunities to meet together to debate key issues related to illicit drug and crime challenges.

Achievements Key activities in this reporting period have focused on technical capacity-building of research institutions, finalizing new research on the illicit financial flows linked to Afghan opiates and research on trafficking of arms between Afghanistan and Pakistan, as well as advocacy and alternative livelihoods-related knowledge sharing.

TRENDS

and Impacts

(SP IV)

19

20


Technical Research Capacity Building

Technical Research Capacity-Building

The RP and Statistics and Survey Section of UNODC headquarters began a project to support the development and implementation of a national survey on drug use among youth in RP countries. This project is a first for the region, as a number of countries have never conducted a nation-wide survey on youth drug use.

Technical Research A regional workshop was held in Islamabad (26–30 May) with the following aims:

Outline the methodology and special

considerations for surveys on drug use within schools and for youth outside school settings;

Increase national capacity to design and implement surveys on youth drug use including capacity to develop questionnaires; and

Develop relationships with focal points that will move forward with developing the methodology, questionnaire translation, adaptation and testing in the months following the workshop and later implementation of youth surveys in selected places.

As an outcome of the workshop, participants from Afghanistan, Iran, Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan presented their preliminary plans to conduct surveys among youth. Plans are being prepared for four pilot surveys in city settings in each country to inform the development of nation-wide surveys. Going forward, the RP will work with the other programme countries to ascertain their willingness to undertake surveys.

21


Research The technical study on “Small Arms

Trafficking between Afghanistan and Pakistan” was finalized following internal and external peer review. This is the first comprehensive assessment of key trends, trafficking routes and prices (among others) of illicit small arms trafficking between the two countries.

Internal and external review of data collected, methodology and key financial figures of the technical study on “Illicit Financial Flows and the Balkan Route”. This study will, for the first time, enable understanding of the gross profits of the Afghan opiate trade in countries affected by the Balkan route. Analysis at national, regional, and inter-regional levels aims to estimate the scale of the challenge to law enforcement and policymakers as well as to provide recommendations for financial intelligence units and counter-narcotics law enforcement on effective actions.

The RP, GPML and the Russian Federation jointly presented on “Researching Drug Trafficking as a Business” at the Commission on Narcotics and Drugs in Vienna. The presentation introduced the Balkan Route study and outlined UNODC plans for further research into illicit financial flows linked to Afghan opiates.

Alternative Livelihoods

In conjunction with the Alternative Livelihood Project of UNODC Country Office for Afghanistan, the RP organized an alternative development study tour to Thailand for 25 Afghan and Tajik officials, academics and farmers to learn best practice principles from Thai officials and institutions at the forefront of leading alternative development projects. Key learning from this tour is

being disseminated in both countries to aid future alternative development initiatives in these countries.

Heroin Flows

Alternative Livelihoods:

22


Advocacy

The Regional Media Forum, for the first time, brought together counter narcotics ministers from RP countries and over 400 university students to discuss current initiatives and future priorities to tackle illicit drug production, trafficking and use and strengthen regional cooperation on drug control. The event was successful in raising awareness of drug control issues amongst the youth, sharing experiences of individuals and ministers, allowing ministers to describe policy and decision making priorities. The Regional Media Forum was widely broadcasted on Tajik and Afghan television.

Regional Media Forum Dushanbe, Tajikistan , 26 May 2015

Regional Media Forum Dushanbe, Tajikistan, 26 May 2015

23


Launch of the new website and communications strategy of the RP – third quarter 2015.

Finalization and launch of the “Illicit Financial Flows and the Balkan Route Report” by the Executive Director of UNODC, Mr. Yuri Fedetov – third quarter 2015.

Joint RP – UN Women Pakistan “Afghanistan/Pakistan Border Communities Engagement Event” – third quarter 2015.

Commencement of a technical study on “A policy-coherence approach to preventing and mitigating the risks of illicit financial flows, economic crime, corruption and narcotics production and trafficking: Creating an enabling environment for economic growth and improved governance in Afghanistan”. This study will map the size and scope of the illicit economy in Afghanistan and identify its nexus with licit economic activity with a view to outlining policy interventions for the international economy to promote licit economic development in the country – Kabul, third quarter 2015.

Commencement of a technical study on “Smuggling of Opium out of Afghanistan: Regional Flows”

which will outline smuggling flows and price fluctuations that characterize the smuggling of narcotics in the region – third quarter 2015.

The second “Counter Narcotics Awareness-Raising Seminar for Journalists” that will bring

together heads of news agencies of the region with a view to promoting greater coverage of all aspects of counter narcotics efforts (including enforcement, treatment, alternative development efforts). Participants at this workshop will be presented with a handbook on “Drugs and the Media” produced by UNODC – Bishkek, fourth quarter 2015.

LOOKING Forward

24


16 February 4.273 kg of opium was

seized and two citizens of Afghanistan were detained on in Ishkashim region of Gorno-Badakhshan province of Tajikistan

23 February

19.815 kg of heroin was seized and one citizen of Afghanistan was detained in Takhor province of Afghanistan.

Annex

SEIZURES &Arrests

Drug Control Agency (DCA) and Counter Narcotics Police of Afghanistan

27 January 59 kg of hashish was

seized and two citizens of Afghanistan were detained in Takhor province of Afghanistan.

10 March 15 kg of heroin was

seized and one citizen of

Afghanistan was

detained in Takhor

province of Afghanistan.

30 March 37.8 kg of opium was

seized and one citizen of Afghanistan was detained in Takhor province of Afghanistan.

14 April 57.9 kg of opium was


Afghanistan was

detained in Takhor

province of Afghanistan

17 May 32 kg of heroin was


Afghanistan was

detained in Badakhshan

province of Afghanistan

25


Other joint operations

Controlled delivery operations

16 March The DCA of Tajikistan and Ministry

of Interior of Afghanistan seized 46 kg of opium and one citizen of Afghanistan was detained in Takhor province of Afghanistan.

31 March

The DCA and State Service on Drug control (SSDC) of Kyrgyzstan seized

0,524 g of heroin and 7.72 kg of heroin, two citizens of Tajikistan and one citizen of Kyrgyzstan were

detained in Isfara, Sugd province of Tajikistan,

and Kyrgyzstan, respectively.

21 January As a result of a

controlled delivery operation conducted by the CNPA and DCA; 9.77 kg of hashish was seized, and one citizen of Afghanistan and one citizen of Tajikistan were detained in Kulyab, Khatlon province of Tajikistan

23 February As a result of a

controlled delivery

operation conducted

by the CNPA and

DCA; 48.627 kg of

hashish was seized

in Rudaki region of

Tajikistan.

24 March As a result of a

controlled delivery

operation conducted

by the CNPA and

DCA; 39.733 kg of

opium and 961.6 g of

heroin were seized

and one citizen of

Afghanistan was

detained in Kulyab,

Khatlon province of

Tajikistan.

25 February and 9 June Iranian and Pakistani law enforcement agencies conducted joint patrol operations. Even

though there were no seizures during this operation, the officers exercised their skills and

shared information. Confidential intelligence information was shared, which cannot be

published as it relates to ongoing investigations.

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