Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan Customs officers are trained to detect seal manipulations

On 12-14 December 2017, UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia conducted a Regional training on detection of seal manipulation for customs officers from Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan under the UNODC-WCO Global Container Control Programme (CCP) in Baku, Azerbaijan. The training was hosted by the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan and held at the Regional Office for Capacity Building of World Customs Organization.

In his welcoming speech Mr. Safar Mehdiyev, First Deputy Chairman of the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan, noted that "the knowledge gained in the dialogue and ideas exchange by training participants will open up new opportunities for successful fight against violations in customs area".

Mr. Batyr Geldiyev, the UNODC Regional Programme Coordinator stressed that "UNODC is proud of its partnership with countries of the region under the Global Container Control Programme and this training is continuation of efforts to further strengthen CCP Port Control Unit capacities in Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan."

The experienced trainers from Dutch Customs Practical Training Center shared their knowledge on seal manipulation methods/techniques and detection measures, drug concealments in containers as well as conducted practical exercises on seals at the ROCB container yard. The participants also shared their experience on real cases (drugs, counterfeit, etc.) of seal manipulation/manipulated containers in their own countries. The trainees also had a unique opportunity to visit Customs Cargo Terminal in Baku for conducting practical control scenarios in real work environment.

The CCP Regional Segment for Central Asia and Azerbaijan is funded by Government of Japan, the U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and the Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) Program.