INCB trains officers from Central Asia on the use of its platforms, tools and resources to prevent the use of precursors, non-scheduled chemicals and equipment in illicit drug manufacture
Officers from five countries in Central Asia attending an INCB training conducted in partnership with the UNODC Regional Program for Afghanistan and Neighboring Countries (Photo: INCB)
ALMATY, 17 October 2024 - INCB conducted the "Training on precursor chemicals and illicit drug manufacturing equipment: from real-time intelligence exchange to case investigations" for officials from countries in Central Asia at Almaty, Kazakhstan on 16 and 17 October 2024. Fourteen officers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan participated in it.
Illicit manufacture of synthetic cathinones such as mephedrone is known to take place in some countries of the region and therefore the training was intended to raise awareness and increase usage by the relevant authorities of all the INCB tools and resources, that have been put in place to assist Governments to prevent such manufacture.
A key component of the training, which was conducted in Russian language, was the use of the Precursors Incident Communication System (PICS), INCB's platform for sharing real-time intelligence on incidents related to precursors and equipment used in illicit drug manufacture. After an introduction to the platform, practical exercises on the use of PICS for communicating actionable information resulted in several incidents being shared by the participants through PICS during the training.
Participants were also provided with inputs on other INCB tools and resources with regard to precursor control, such as the Pre-Export Notification Online (PEN Online) system, the PEN Online Light system, the limited International Special Surveillance list of non-scheduled chemicals (ISSL), among others. Participants were given information on estimates of Annual Legitimate Requirements (ARLs), which provide an indication of the legitimate volume of certain chemicals imported by licit industries.
The training further included sessions on operational collaboration and investigation of precursor cases, including the role of Internet for trafficking in precursors. Real case studies for precursor investigations and how the use of PICS has helped investigations and prevented diversion, were shared. Participants also shared the latest trends in precursors trafficking and illicit drug manufacture in their respective countries.
The two-day training programme is expected to enhance the usage of the INCB platforms related to precursors and equipment by the countries in the region leading to more operational cross border cooperation to prevent chemical diversion and illicit drug manufacture.
Related resources
- PICS brochure
- PEN Online Brochure
- PEN Online Light Brochure
- Annual Legitimate Requirements (ARLs) of P-2-P, 3,4-MDP-2-P, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and their preparations.
- Project PRISM and Cohesion
- Secure Portal for Competent National Authorities (Password needed)
Click here to learn more about the PRECURSORS and EQUIPMENT Programme