Federal customs service

Joint Communique
of the World Customs Organization
and
the Committee of Heads of Law Enforcement Divisions of the Customs Services of the Commonwealth of Independent States

October 21, 2009
Moscow, Russian Federation

World Customs Organization and the Committee of Heads of Law Enforcement Divisions of the Customs Services of the Commonwealth of Independent States, recognizing the urgent necessity to consolidate the efforts of enforcement divisions of the customs administrations of the WCO Members and members of the Committee in the sphere of combating transnational illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals in Central Asia, took a decision to organize an international targeted customs operation.

In the course of the operation held in August-September, 2009, the customs services of 10 countries – members of the Commonwealth of Independent States prevented 105 attempts of drug smuggling and seized more than 162 kg of narcotic drugs, in particular, 92 kg of heroin, 25 kg of opium, 10 kg of cannabis resin, 33 kg of marijuana, various psychotropic substances and restricted medicines.

The operation utilized CenComm tool – modern technical instrument developed by the WCO for transfer of data and secure communication. The usage of CenComm in Russian language ensured intensive exchange of intelligence in the region during the operation.

The 3^rd session of the Committee of Heads of Law Enforcement Divisions of the CIS Customs Services held on the 8^th of October in Yalta (Ukraine) adopted a decision to make the operation an international annual long-term targeted project and to create a permanent working group on drug enforcement for coordination of further actions.

The World Customs Organization supports these decisions and intends to work in close co-operation with the Committee in order to meet common challenges. 

Secretary General                                       Chairman
World Customs Organization                      Committee of Heads of Law Enforcement
                                                                     Divisions 
                                                                     Council of Heads of Customs Services
                                                                     of the Commonwealth of Independent States

K. Mikuriya                                                   I. A. Zavrazhnov