UNODC Supports the Capacity Building of the Drug Control Agency of Tajikistan

"It is extremely important to join our efforts in conducting joint operations with Afghanistan and Central Asian states to combat drug trafficking, with a strategic role of DCA in addressing drug trafficking through the so- called "Northern Trafficking Route" - said Mr. Murtazo Haydarzoda, Deputy Director of the Drug Control Agency under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan (DCA).

Playing a leading role in combatting illicit drugs, the DCA implements effective mechanisms and recruits high-level professionals. Moreover, the DCA jointly with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), conducts capacity building activities to ensure successful operations of the Agency.

On 22 October - 9 November 2018, UNODC jointly with DCA conducted a New Recruit training course which specifically aimed to build capacity of newly appointed officers of DCA. The training enhanced knowledge and skills of 26 DCA officers from the DCA HQ, Departments for Sugd, Khatlon and Mountain Badakhshan provinces.

Experienced DCA instructors and honored DCA officers provided lectures and practical exercises on laws and regulations of Tajikistan covering issues of illicit drug trafficking, operative-search activities and criminal case investigations. The instructors had an opportunity to practice the skills gained during the ToT (training for trainers) event organized by UNODC on 21 - 25 August 2017 as a part of "Tajikistan Drug Control Agency" component.

On the other hand, the UNODC professionals provided sessions on the UN Conventions - the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961, the Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971, and the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988, as well as updated on UNODC national/regional efforts in combating illicit drug trafficking, and operative search activities using international experience. Special attention was given to case investigations covering detailed investigative procedures through case-study simulation which included human rights and gender equality aspects.

The training was organized as a part of the "Tajikistan Drug Control Agency" component of Sub-Programme-1 "Countering Transnational Organized Crime, Drug Trafficking and Preventing Terrorism" of UNODC Programme for Central Asia 2015-2019 and funded by the U.S. State Department Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).

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