OSCE shows interest in Belarus' practices to combat online drug trade
27/11/2015
According to BelTA The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is interested in the practices of the Belarusian special analytical intelligence services that uncover drug trade via the Internet, head of the main department on drugs control and counteraction to trafficking in persons of the Interior Ministry of Belarus Vasily Losich told media on 26 November.
Such divisions were set up in the central office of the Interior Ministry and at the level of oblasts.
“They have been cooperating really well. The OSCE has already shown interest in our practices. Preliminary agreements have been made to hold an international conference in Belarus under the OSCE aegis in February 2016. The conference will highlight cybercrimes,” said Vasily Losich. In January-October 2015 the operation of 84 online drug stores were halted in Belarus. Access was also restricted to 18 websites that contain materials related to drugs distribution. Over 170 e-wallets drug dealers used were blocked. Vasily Losich noted: “Last year we registered a 50% growth in drug crimes, which posed a serious threat to the country's national security. At present the growth is only 0.9%. It is highly likely that we reach the zero mark by the end of the year.” The number of overdoses has also decreased in the country. A total of 932 such cases have been registered since the beginning of the year. The number of overdoses was 1092 in the same period last year. The number of overdoses among the underaged made up 119 from the start of the year (175 over the same months in 2014). The number of overdose deaths also went down (29 from the start of the year and 48 over the same period of time in 2014). The progress has been achieved also thanks to Decree No.6 concerning urgent measures to counteract illegal drug trade that was adopted in late 2014. According to Vasily Losich, a draft law has already been worked out to bring the legislation in line with the decree. According to the representative of the Interior Ministry, it is important to coordinate positions of the Healthcare Ministry and the Education Ministry in setting up special rehabilitation centers for minors. This issue is discussed today at a meeting in the Interior Ministry with the participation of representatives of security services, ministries of education, healthcare, information, foreign affairs, TV channels and others.
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