OSCE works to develop co-operation among Eastern European law enforcement agencies in countering illicit trafficking in New Psychoactive Substances

MINSK, 17 February 2016 – More than 40 representatives of law enforcement agencies from Belarus, Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, the Russian Federation and Ukraine, and experts from eight international organizations concluded a two-day discussion in Minsk today on greater co-operation among law enforcement agencies in combating the increasing spread of new psychoactive substances.

The roundtable discussion was aimed at developing appropriate national legislative measures, procedures and operational practices in dealing with the supply of New Psychoactive Substances in Eastern Europe through promoting best practices and successful experiences, as well as strengthening the networking capacities of law enforcement authorities in the region.

The discussion was organized by the Strategic Police Matters Unit of the OSCE Transnational Threat Department in co-operation with the Belarusian Interior Ministry upon the request of Belarus.

“The Republic of Belarus, due to its geographical location and rapidly developing migration, and integration processes, faces the multi-faceted challenge of illicit drugs and New Psychoactive Substances,” said Valentin Mikhnevich, First Deputy Interior Minister of Belarus. “The Belarusian authorities in co-operation with other member states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization have taken a number of legislative measures, including internet-related, in order to protect the country’s population, especially the youth, against this challenge.”

Guy Vinet, Head of the OSCE’s Strategic Police Matters Unit, said that “New Psychoactive Substances pose an evolving global threat to at least more than 100 countries and territories, with the majority of them in Europe. New Psychoactive Substances include those that are not controlled under international law, and by the time authorities spot and regulate them, organized crime quickly switches to selling completely new substances. Robust legislative measures and co-ordinated operational practices are needed to overcome this situation.”