Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in Central Asia Ashita Mittal, director of the National Center for Drug Control under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan Olim Narzullayev, head of Samarkand Customs Administration Erkin Salihov and representatives of law enforcement authorities took part in the meeting.

At the meeting, it was analyzed the work carried out by the Samarkand region in the fight against illicit drug trafficking in 2018. It was mentioned that drug addiction is one of the most dangerous global problems threatening the future of humanity.

As a result of efforts taken by the government of our Republic to combat the illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs in the country, a number of activities are underway.

Within the framework of the project, an Interadministrational mobile group was established, from the professional staff of the State Security Service, Ministry of Internal affairs and Customs Departments located in Samarkand, Bukhara and Navoi regions, and the central office of this mobile group was designated as the customs administration of Samarkand region.

For this "Interadministrational Mobile Group" there is a special room in the administrative building of the Samarkand Regional Customs Administration, where all the communication and technical facilities used to prevent the illicit drug trafficking.

Currently, the Samarkand region borders with Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, with six border crossing points (2 in Samarkand, 3 in Bukhara and 1 in Navoi). These post offices are equipped with all modern technical tools used to prevent the illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs.

In addition, inspector cynologists with their specially trained service dogs search of narcotic substances at border crossing points and carry customs control of transport vehicles and passengers' hand luggage.

Considering the work done by the Interadministrational Mobile Group in the prevention of illicit drug trafficking in 2018, 27,31 kg of drugs and psychotropic substances were seized from illicit traffic.

It is noteworthy that today, campaigns on the prevention of illicit drug trafficking and their negative consequences are being held at mahallas. This, of course, should give a positive result.

At the meeting, the UN Regional Representative on Drugs and Crime in Central Asia, Ashita Mittal, recieved proposals from the participants and outlined the measures to be taken in the future. At the same time, Mrs. Ashita Mittal thanked the organizers for the event.

At the end of the event, the guests received souvenirs from customs officers.