United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

East Asia and Pacific

		View by sections
		Project Code and Sector Project Background and Justification Immediate Objective, Outputs and Main Activities Counterpart, Institutional Setting and Implementing Arrangements
		Project Summary

RASI61 - Consolidation and Enhancement of the Border Liaison Office Mechanism (BLO) in East Asia

1. Project Code and Sector

2. Project Background and Justification

Background

Six countries, Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam, are signatories to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in which they agree to cooperate with each other to reduce problems created by the manufacturing, transportation and abuse of illicit drugs. The area known as the "Golden Triangle", which falls within and affects the six countries, is recognized a one of the world's major locations for production of heroin and Amphetamine-Type Stimulants (ATS). Illicit drugs are manufactured in clandestine laboratories which are often protected by armed groups and located in a sparsely populated area of eastern Myanmar to which the Government has limited access. In addition to the unlawful production of opium, heroin and methamphetamine tablets, a new development is the manufacturing of crystal methamphetamine ("Ice"). The recent seizures of large quantities of Ice point to a new, higher quality product being produced in the same general area. Given the higher prices demanded for this drug it must be assumed that the organized drug traffickers are targeting the more affluent nations segments of population in the region and beyond.

Large shipments of heroin destined for North America, Australia, Japan and Europe have been seized and identified as having originated in this region. Such shipments show an established level of traffic that has only surfaced due to law enforcement successes. It is not always possible to confirm the origin of illicit drugs seized in developed countries. The stationing of over fifty foreign law enforcement officers by countries worldwide indicated the concern by many governments who regard this region as a major supplier.

The national borders of the region favor trafficking. Borders are often lengthy and frequently run through unpopulated areas consisting of steep sided, dense, jungle-clad hills where trails known to local inhabitants are the only means for travel. The Mekong River forms a common border in a key location where China, Myanmar, Thailand and Laos come together. Traffickers use the river as a conduit to ship drugs into Thailand either directly or via Cambodia. The Mekong River is a popular trading route and the large number of boats makes it difficult to police despite the implementation of river patrols. As highways develop on both sides of the border, increasingly high volumes of pedestrian, private and commercial vehicular traffic pass through the border points. Without units trained and equipped able to respond to real-time information, the task of interdicting illegal substances and arresting those criminal elements responsible becomes extremely difficult.

A recent successful 7-year-UNODC project established Border Liaison Offices (BLOs) at a number of border crossing points. The concept behind the creation of the BLOs was to reverse traditional attitudes and encourage cooperation between law enforcement units working at the borders thereby maximizing the value of jointly held information.

The success of the BLO concept has resulted in offices being established in 22 locations (44 offices), a major increase from the original four locations at the beginning of the project.


Project strategy and linkages

The project will be in two phases. The first phase is intended to continue to build on BLOs established under the previous UNODC project. Many more recently created BLOs still need support to ensure that cooperation becomes an accepted practice and is the rule rather than the exception. These new offices will require equipment and training to bring them into line with established BLOs.

Phase II will be focusing on improved level of enforcement that targets higher level traffickers. The Phase II inputs will ensure entrenched mechanism able to function independently of international assistance.

3. Immediate Objective, Outputs and Main Activities

Objective:
Increased effectiveness by law enforcement to counter drug and transnational crimes in the MOU and adjacent countries.

Outcome 1: BLOs operational capacity development and the sharing of operational information and/or intelligence related to drugs and transnational crime strengthened

Output 1.1 BLO personnel understand, develop and share operational information /intelligence regarding both drugs and transnational crimes.

Output 1.2 All border enforcement personnel trained to develop and share information / intelligence leading to seizures and arrests of persons responsible for organizing drug trafficking activities.

Outcome 2: Improved communication capacity for BLOs.

Output 2.1 BLOs communicate using improved methodology such as internet/e-mail where possible.

Outcome 3: High-risk border areas in the region and neighbouring countries suitable for introducing the BLO concept identified and implementation plan and schedule established

Output 3.1 The identification of additional high-risk drug and crime locations along borders common to the six MOU countries.

Output 3.2 A draft agreement to establish and implement a border liaison mechanism in selected locations along the Myanmar/India border

Output 3.3 A draft agreement to establish and implement a border liaison mechanism in selected locations along the borders of China and several Central Asia States

Outcome 4: Improved understanding of BLO concept and cooperative approach among MOU counterparts at all levels to ensure the ownership and preparing for sustainability of BLO mechanism.

Output 4.1 BLO management understand and extend professional cooperation activities.
Output 4.2 Support provided for BLO mechanism integrated into national action plan, regular annual fiscal plan and national up-scaling
Output 4.3 Selected MOU governments provided funding to support BLO operations in their country and providing support to BLO operations in cross-border locations.
Output 4.4 Capacity of monitoring and reporting of BLO operation strengthened among MOU countries i.e. protocol, checklist and handbook for internal review, monitoring system and tools formulated
Output 4.5 End of Phase I Project Evaluation report provided, lessons learned, development of best practices of cross-border cooperation and its implementation roll-out based on best practices

4. Counterpart, Institutional Setting and Implementing Arrangements

The capacity of the six counterpart agencies varies considerably. More developed countries with a strong economic base are able to fund the BLOs located within their jurisdictions. For other countries with less capacity it is not possible for the time being to fund the project activities. However, all counterpart agencies are able to provide premises and staff for the BLOs, and will make arrangements for training, operational visits, meetings and regional conferences. In some instances it may be necessary for the project, though, to support management personnel with supplementary income to enable them to travel in order to promote and encourage cooperation.

The UNODC Regional Centre at Bangkok will be the executing agency. UNODC is well placed to meet the needs of the member countries participating in this project and provide strategic direction in line with the project design, given the availability of in house expertise in cross-border cooperation, drug law enforcement capacity building and crime prevention.

National Project Coordinators appointed by their respective governments and based in their respective countries will work with the Regional Project Coordinator to ensure that activities under their jurisdiction are implemented efficiently and on time. The National Project Coordinator will be required to monitor the progress of any new BLO.