ALMATY (Interfax-Ukraine) – The Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre for combating illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors (CARICC) has granted observer status to China, Romania and Ukraine.

CARICC is established as part of Rainbow strategy of UNODC. Its purpose is to facilitate information exchange and analysis, and to assist in the coordination of operational activities of the various law enforcement agencies in the region – police, drug control agencies, customs, border guards, security services of the countries involved. The staff is based in Almaty,

At the end of the last September, the Council of the National Coordinators of CARICC member states in Bishkek adopted guidelines for 2013-2015 in organizing international cooperation in collection, protection, analysis and exchange of information and organizational support to CARICC.

The current members of CARICC are Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Observer countries and organizations include Afghanistan, Austria, Canada, China, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Pakistan, Romania, Turkey, Ukraine, USA, Interpol and the SECI Centre.

With Afghanistan supplying some 93% of the world’s opium, Central Asian States as the Northern Route form a crucial frontline against opiate trafficking. UNODC estimates suggest that the scope of opiate trafficking through the “northern route” is significantly higher than the volume seized and is increasing annually due to abundant supply from Afghanistan.

The drug trade demonstrates in the negative the potential of Afghanistan to serve as a land bridge connecting its surrounding regions. The strategic and central location of the country makes it the indispensable pivot for seeking closer cooperation and expanding trade throughout the region.