The international anti-drug operation "Web"

In accordance with the Action Program for the implementation of the Anti-Drug Strategy of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states for 2024–2029, the international anti-drug operation “Web” was carried out on the territory of SCO member states from August 4 to 8, 2025.

The goals were the practical resolution of tasks aimed at suppressing channels for the supply of drugs and precursors, primarily of synthetic origin, their distribution in the territories of the Organization’s member states, taking measures to prevent the use of Internet resources and virtual payment systems in the sphere of drug trafficking, and increasing the effectiveness of joint actions.

Representatives of the competent bodies of anti-drug agencies, internal affairs bodies (public security), national security services, and customs and border services of the SCO member states took part in the operation.

The International Coordination Headquarters (ICHQ) for conducting the anti-drug operation operated on the premises of the Police Training Centre of the Public Security Department of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR) in the city of Urumqi. The ICHQ, chaired by the China, included competent officers of the law enforcement agencies of the SCO member states and a representative of the Secretariat, who carried out coordination, statistical, and organizational work in combating drug crime within the Organization’s area. The Headquarters staff exchanged information online on drug seizures and conducted joint activities to detain drug traffickers.

According to preliminary data, during the operation, almost 10 tons of narcotic drugs and more than 21 tons of precursors were seized from illegal circulation. A total of 1,151 crimes related to illicit drug trafficking were identified, including 132 offenses committed by groups of individuals; 25 cases of drug smuggling and 21 cases of their shipment via postal consignments were stopped. More than 2,500 people were detained for committing drug-related crimes and offenses.

As part of the work of the ICHQ, participants familiarized themselves with the activities of the customs and border services of the Tianshan International Airport (XUAR), the customs International Mail Processing Centre, the educational centre for combating drugs, a narcological laboratory, the railway border terminal of the international land port, and the multimodal transport and logistics centre in the city of Urumqi.

The parties exchanged experience and best practices, including in countering the use of the Internet for the distribution of narcotic drugs and the legalization of drug proceeds. The results of work in this area were presented.

Following the results of the international operation “Web,” ICHQ experts emphasized that such events serve as effective platforms for joint efforts in combating the drug threat, help develop effective measures that contribute to strengthening international security and stability both in the SCO region and beyond.