The two-day event was organized jointly by the DEA, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the National Security Service of Uzbekistan. More than 55 senior law enforcement officials representing 15 countries gathered to discuss and share information about criminal organizations operating in the region.

Charge d’Affaires Duane Butcher delivered opening remarks and commended the efforts being made by the Government of Uzbekistan to address transnational organized crime – particularly in the area of drug trafficking. During the opening ceremony Christopher Melink, the DEA Country Attaché at the U.S. Embassy, spoke of the expanding network utilized by criminal groups and emphasized that “effective, proactive drug law enforcement can only be accomplished by working together and sharing information.”

In his opening remarks, First Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Abror Ibragimov voiced the hope that cooperation between the Ministry and the DEA will bring positive results in the joint fight against drug trafficking.

The program showcased DEA strengths and capabilities and provided an opportunity for networking and private conferencing among regional partners. The primary purpose of the meeting was to share drug-related information and develop a coordinated approach to drug trafficking that will allow agencies to collectively identify and dismantle regional narcotics organizations and their precursors.

Hosting such an event in Tashkent signifies the continuing commitment of the Government of Uzbekistan to join the international community in the fight against drug trafficking. In previous years, Uzbek representatives have participated in the Regional IDEC meeting in Bucharest, Romania and the 28th IDEC in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.