From 26 to 30 October 2026, a sub-regional anti-drug operation " Channel-Caspian Lighthouse" was conducted on the territory of the member states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) within the framework of the activities of the Coordination Council of Heads of Competent Authorities for Combating Illicit Drug Trafficking of the CSTO member states.
The event was aimed at identifying channels of international drug trafficking, suppressing the activity of organized criminal groups involved in the illicit trafficking of weapons and ammunition, as well as in crimes related to the distribution of drugs using information technologies.
The competent authorities of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan were involved in the operation. Representatives of China and Iran, international and regional organizations, including the Secretariat of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, participated as observers in the work of the International Coordination Headquarters deployed in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
During the operation, 790 drug-related crimes were identified, the activities of 101 drug groups were suppressed, and more than 11.4 tonnes of illicit substances were seized. 376 persons involved in drug crimes were detained, and 674 internet sites used for the distribution of prohibited information were identified.
Concluding the event, an award ceremony was held at which personnel of the competent authorities and participants in the operation were presented with medals, certificates and commemorative gifts.
The Memorandum of Understanding between the SCO and CSTO Secretariats was signed on 5 October 2007.