Kyrgyz Port Control Units learn best practices and strengthen regional cooperation

From 26 February to 2 March 2018, UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia conducted a five-day mentorship programme for Port Control Unit (PCU) members in Bishkek and Osh under the UNODC-World Customs Organization (WCO) Global Container Control Programme (CCP) Regional Segment for Central Asia.

The mentoring led by an experienced WCO trainer provided a great opportunity for Kyrgyz State Customs Service's officials to strengthen their professional knowledge and learn the latest developments in drugs/precursors production, "rip-off" and "rip-on" trafficking cases, usage of open source information and secure communication system ContainerComm. Practical exercises on seal manipulation methods conducted at railway terminal in Bishkek, helped to advance PCU members' skills on physical inspection of containers, concealment methods, as well as health & safety tools.

Aiming to promote regional cooperation, share experience, and build trust among PCUs across the regions, the CCP Regional Segment for Central Asia invited the Georgia Revenue Service officers to present PCUs activities in Georgia and share their knowledge on risk management, inspection of consignments, seizures, as well as discuss future cooperation within CCP. In particular, the Georgian experts shared some practical recommendations on combatting illicit drug trafficking and other criminal activities in the region whilst facilitating legal trade.

The CCP Regional Segment for Central Asia and Azerbaijan is funded by the 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.