Karachi, 25 October 2018. Mr. Jawad Ahmed Dogar, DIG Pakistan Railways, attended a Japan sponsored training workshop on interdiction, risk assessment, and profiling of drugs and precursor chemicals in Karachi. The training was designed for the inspectors, sub inspectors, appraisement, and preventive officers of Pakistan Customs, the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), and Pakistan Railways based in Sindh. In his opening remarks he expressed his high appreciation of UNODCs' support in building the capacities of Pakistan Railways officials in the sectors of counter narcotics and human trafficking. He stressed the importance of inter-agency cooperation; and of equipping operational level officials with advanced knowledge and technological expertise.

UNODC with the support of the Government of Japan organised these two trainings, on 22-23 and 25-26 October 2018, in Karachi.  As indicated above their purpose was to build the operational capacity of these field officers in the interdiction, risk assessment, and profiling of drugs and precursors. Both trainings were attended by 34 officials (17 in each tranche) from the cited law enforcement agencies. The training conforms to the Government of Japan's commitment to strengthen border security against illicit drug trafficking and related transnational organized crime.

Mr. Shamim Akhtar, Consultant UNODC, briefed participants on drugs and precursor chemicals identification, and on container types  by reading their ISO Codes, and cross verifying various ISO standards for improved identification and profiling of high risk cargo/containers, concealment methods, seal tampering, chemical hazards,  and for basic safety rules, in the context of the overall prevalent drug situation in the region; with special emphasis on the diversion of precursor chemicals. In her welcome address Ms. Anila Rahim, Programme Officer (Precursors) UNODC, briefed participants on UNODC's global mandates, including countering transnational organized crime and illicit trafficking. She emphasized the importance of the training in the context of UNODC Country Programme II in Pakistan.

Mr. Ali Aslam Turk, Assistant Director Anti-Narcotics Force, Regional Directorate Sindh, gave a detailed presentation on 'Existing control mechanisms and efforts of ANF to control drugs and precursors trafficking'; and highlighted the main issues and challenges faced by ANF in the province.

On day one of the training, the participants visited the Pakistan International Container Terminal (PICT) port in Karachi. The UNODC delegation was received by port officials, who briefed them on port operations, in particular the scanning of containers through the control room. All participants were briefed on Customs' processes and reading of images, for better profiling of containers with false bulkheads and concealments in cargo. 

In both trainings, diverse methodologies were adopted including presentation, discussion, e-Learning modules, and visit to the dry port for practical demonstration of container seals and concealment methods. The officials participated in the conduct of the e-Learning modules on interdiction, search techniques, selection methods, risk assessment, and profiling for land controls.

On the training workshops' conclusion, Certificates were distributed to the participants. This achievement has been made possible by the generous support of the Government of Japan.