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Belarus, USA keen to exchange experience in combating illegal drug trade

MINSK, 2 March (BelTA) – Representatives of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) under the U.S. Department of Justice led by DEA Deputy Regional Director Michael Nowacoski have visited the Central Office of the Investigative Committee of Belarus, BelTA learned from the committee.

Michael Nowacoski took office in January 2020. He is in charge of cooperation of the U.S. agency with nine CIS member states, including Belarus. The DEA regional office is located in Kazakhstan.

Michael Nowacoski got familiar with the history, functions, and jurisdiction of the Investigative Committee, including in investigation of crimes related to drug trafficking. The parties also discussed some aspects of cooperation of the Investigative Committee with other law enforcement agencies during pre-trial criminal proceedings in relevant cases, and information exchange.

The parties welcomed effective cooperation between the Belarusian agency and the DEA office in Moscow and the signing of the memorandum of cooperation between the Investigative Committee of Belarus and the Drug Enforcement Administration under the U.S. Department of Justice on 21 May 2019. Representatives of the two organizations showed interest in studying foreign experience, exchanging advanced methods of investigating crimes related to drug trafficking, offering internships, and exploring activities of the DEA Training Academy in the city of Quantico, the USA.

In line with the memorandum, the parties decided that their representatives will take part in various events on illegal drug trade held by the Investigative Committee in Belarus or organized in other countries with support of the DEA. “The working meeting helped maintain ties with the U.S. party in crime prevention at a high level,” the Investigative Committee noted.

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