UNODC COPAK conducted an interagency training on "Operationalization of Criminal-intelligence Products" for field staff of the Law Enforcement Agencies in Karachi

19 September 2019, Karachi -The UNODC Country Office Pakistan (COPAK) successfully organized an interagency training on "Operationalization of Criminal-intelligence Products" at the Pakistan Customs' Directorate General of Training and Research (DGTR) from 17-19 September 2019. The training was organized through contribution by the Government of Japan under the project entitled "Strengthening Border Security against Illicit Drug Trafficking and Related Transnational Organized Crime (2016-2020)". It enhanced criminal-intelligence collection capacity of the field staff from the Pakistan Customs; Anti Narcotics Force; Pakistan Coast Guards; Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department Sindh; Sindh Police; and Pakistan Railway Police. 

The interagency training focused at the collection of information related to illicit trafficking of various kinds, including drugs, people and contraband items through the borders and other entry/exit points. It raised awareness of the participants on the fundamental criminal-intelligence principles, concepts, information gathering techniques and sharing of actionable criminal-intelligence with the relevant national counterparts quickly. It also covered the practical use of IBM i2 Software for drawing association, link charting and analysis of information to draw criminal-intelligence proactively. The training aimed at building mutual confidence and drew synergies amongst the participating departments.

While addressing the participants at the closing ceremony of this three-day training, Mr. Toshikazu Isomura, Consul-General of Japan said, "The Government of Japan highly appreciates the usual support provided by UNODC Country Office Pakistan to enhance operational capacity of the Pakistani law enforcement agencies for combatting drug trafficking and other transnational organized crime effectively. The Government of Japan shall continue to provide all the support for prosperity of Pakistan, by strengthening border management and counter-terrorism capability of officers and staff members of the Pakistani law enforcement agencies."

Mr. Faiz Ahmed, Director General DGTR of Pakistan Customs also attended the closing ceremony. He thanked the Government of Japan for supporting capacity-building of the Pakistani law enforcement officials, particularly of Pakistan Customs under World Customs Organization (WCO) and other important international forums. At the end, the Consul-General of Japan and the Director General DGTR gave certificates to the participants. 

UNODC's Pakistan Country Prog ramme is facilitating specialist training of staff from various law enforcement agencies at the national training institutes including the DGTR, where different Customs cadres are being trained. UNODC envisages to continuing its close support to the Government of Pakistan's priority needs and vision to attain the Sustainable Development Goal - 16 " Promoting Peace, Justice and Institutional Development".