OSCE Centre in Astana supports workshop on preventing trafficking in chemical precursors

A two-day workshop on precursors – chemicals used in the illicit manufacture of drugs - began on 28 May 2012 in Almaty. The event is a part of the OSCE Centre in Astana’s activities to support Kazakhstan’s efforts to prevent drug trafficking.

Chemicals used as precursors have a primarily legitimate use, such as the synthesis of plastics, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, perfumes, and detergents. Effective control of the trade in these chemicals and investigation from the place of seizure back to the diversion point is one of the most effective ways to fight drug production and trafficking.

Twenty-five Kazakhstani border guards, customs officers, representatives of the National Security Committee and the Interior Ministry’s Drug Control Committee will learn about chemical precursors in an international context, including the need for precursor controls, global seizures of precursors, trends and transshipment routes, detection and inspection techniques, as well as about related UN conventions. International experts from the US, Great Britain and Georgia will discuss with the workshop participants their experience in combating the illicit transfer and use of precursors.

The workshop was organized by the OSCE Centre in Astana in co-operation with the EU/UNDP Border Management Programme for Central Asia, the US Embassy, and the Interior Ministry’s Committee for Combating Drug Trafficking.