Stopping the sale of illicit drugs on the internet in focus of OSCE-supported training in Kazakhstan

Specialized investigative techniques for government officials to counter the internet-based narcotics trade were the focus of a training course organized by the US Embassy in Kazakhstan and the Global Training Team of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration's Office of Training with support from the OSCE Programme Office from 19 to 23 June 2017 in Astana.

The event was held at the Training Methodology Centre of the State Revenue Committee of the Ministry of Finance and brought together some 20 officers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ anti-drug units and of the State Revenue Committee’s Directorate of Economic Crime Investigation Service.

They learned how to monitor Web-based technology that is used to buy and sell drugs as well as seize proceeds of illicit drug transactions. Topics included the misuse of the Internet Protocol (IP) address, e-mail exploitation, website investigations, manipulation of social media and instant messaging, and how to conduct undercover internet investigations. A number of case studies were reviewed for the participants. 

The course was led by experts of the Global Training Team of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration's Office of Training to provide a working understanding of internet investigative techniques.

The event is part of the OSCE Programme Office’s multi-year efforts to build the host country’s capacity to effectively address the illicit trafficking of drugs.