Peshawar, 12 October 2018 - UNODC with the support of the Government of Japan conducted two trainings on interdiction, risk assessment, and profiling of drugs and precursor chemicals for the Inspectors and Sub Inspectors of Pakistan Customs, Anti Narcotics Force (ANF), Pakistan Railways, Excise & Taxation Department, and Narcotics Control Department in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Islamabad. The trainings were conducted on 01-03 October 2018 in Lahore and 10-12 October 2018 in Peshawar. 

The purpose of this training was to build the operational capacity of field officers in interdiction, risk assessment, and profiling of drugs and precursors. Both trainings were attended by 45 officials (24 in Punjab & 21 in KP) from the above mentioned law enforcement agencies. The trainings were in accordance with the Government of Japan's commitment to strengthen border security against illicit drug trafficking and related transnational organized crime.

Ms. Anila Rahim, Program Officer (Precursors) spoke on UNODC's global mandates including countering transnational organized crime and illicit trafficking. She emphasized the importance of these trainings in the context of UNODC Country Programme II in Pakistan. 

During the visit to the Customs Dry Port in Mughalpura Lahore, the UNODC delegation was welcomed by Mr. Jamil Nasir, Collector Customs Punjab and his team, who gave a detailed briefing on Customs operations in general and also pertaining to that particular port.

In Peshawar, the officers from four agencies visited Pakistan Railways Dry Port and were received by Ms. Sadaf Ali Shah, Assistant Collector Customs, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. They were briefed about container types and concealment methods.

In both trainings different methodologies were adopted; including presentations, discussions, e-learning modules, visits to dry ports for practical demonstration, and methods of drugs and precursors identification by using Trunarc, Hand held analyzer (provided by UNODC), and Defender. The participants also took part in the eLearning modules on interdiction, search techniques, selection methods, risk assessment, and profiling for land controls.

Dr. Syed Tashfeen Iqbal, Deputy Director ANF, Regional Directorate Punjab and Mr. Saib Khan, Deputy Director Operations, ANF Regional Directorate Khyber Pakhtunkhwa gave detailed presentations on 'Existing control mechanisms and efforts of ANF to control drugs and precursors trafficking' and highlighted the main issues and challenges faced by ANF and other law enforcement agencies in their respective provinces. Both officers highly appreciated UNODC support in enhancing ANF's operational capability through specialized training and advanced equipment.

Mr. Shamim Akhtar, Consultant UNODC, briefed the participants on drugs and precursor chemicals identification, container types, concealment methods, seal tampering, chemical hazards and basic safety rules, and on the overall prevalent drug situation in the region, with special emphasis on the diversion of precursor chemicals.

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.