Artificial intelligence and digital technologies in combating drug trafficking and organized crime focus of CARICC and OSCE side event at 35th Session of UN Crime Commission

On 2 June 2026, on the margins of the 35th Session of the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Vienna, Austria, the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre (CARICC) and the OSCE Transnational Threats Department (OSCE/TNTD) co-organized a side event titled “Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies in Combating Drug Trafficking and Organized Crime”.

The event brought together representatives of CARICC, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, OSCE/TNTD, and national authorities from Central Asian States to discuss the role of digital technologies, artificial intelligence and advanced analytical tools in countering drug trafficking and organized crime.

The side event provided a platform to discuss emerging challenges linked to the rapid digitalization of drug trafficking and organized crime. Participants highlighted how criminal networks are exploiting darknet marketplaces, encrypted communication platforms, cryptocurrencies and automated financial tools to facilitate illicit trafficking and conceal criminal proceeds.

CARICC presented its initiative to establish an AI-powered early warning system against drug-related threats in CARICC member States. “We view artificial intelligence not as a replacement for existing co-operation mechanisms, but as a tool to strengthen the analytical and co-ordination capacities of States,” said Mahmud Khamidov, Director of CARICC. Kazakhstan shared its experience with a digital platform for monitoring, tracking and blocking financial flows linked to the drug trade, “This platform would allow us to move from lengthy international request procedures to proactive monitoring, where financial resources can be blocked faster than criminals are able to withdraw them,” said Askhat Zhumagali, Deputy Prosecutor General of the Republic of Kazakhstan, while Uzbekistan presented national perspectives on the use of digital technologies in combating drug trafficking and organized crime. “No State can effectively counter global transnational organized crime alone. Only joint efforts, stronger international partnership, expanded information exchange and coordinated action can ensure sustainable and long-term results,” said Farhod Khasanov, Acting Director of the Agency for the Control of Narcotics and Firearms under the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The OSCE/TNTD contributed with a presentation on Advance Passenger Information and Passenger Name Record systems, highlighting how passenger data can support risk-based border management, strengthen interagency co-operation and help identify movements linked to transnational organized crime and drug trafficking. Discussions also emphasized the importance of ensuring that the use of emerging technologies is consistent with international human rights standards and data protection principles.

Participants underlined the importance of strengthening interagency and international co-operation, improving analytical capabilities, and developing integrated early warning mechanisms to better anticipate and respond to drug-related threats.