UNODC Enhances Capacities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Law Enforcement Agencies 

22 March 2017, Peshawar.  A three day training course on Drugs and Precursors Identification, organized by the UNODC Country Office Pakistan (UNODC COPAK) and sponsored by the Embassy of Japan, concluded at the Pearl Continental Hotel, Peshawar. This training on drugs and precursors identification was one of the many deliverables under a project for 'Strengthening Border Security Against Illicit Drug Trafficking and Related Transnational Organized Crime' (2016-2019) signed between the Government of Japan and UNODC in March 2017. 

In his opening remarks Mr. Naweed Riaz, International Law Enforcement Advisor UNODC, welcomed the participants and stressed the importance of UNODC's global mandates, including the countering of transnational organized crime and illicit trafficking. He noted the importance of the current training in the context of UNODC's Country Programme for Pakistan.

Mr. Riaz specially thanked the Government of Pakistan for its continued cooperation; and greatly appreciated GoP and its law enforcement agencies for making concerted and highly commendable efforts in interdicting and seizing large amounts of illicit drugs and illegally diverted precursor chemicals destined for international markets. Concluding his welcome address, he assured the attendees  that UNODC would continue organizing similar training workshops for law enforcement agencies on the issue of drugs and precursors trafficking and on other serious transnational organized crimes. 

The object of this training was to build the capacity of field officers from Pakistan Customs, Excise & Taxation, the Narcotics Control Department, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police, & Anti-Narcotics Force to identify and interdict drugs and precursors trafficking. The participants were also briefed on the overall and prevalent drug situation in the region, with special emphasis on the diversion of precursor chemicals. 

On Day 1 and Day 3  Col Sajid Aslam, UNODC Law Enforcement Trainer, explained the different aspects of drugs trafficking, and of its interdiction, through classroom lectures and presentations. Day 2 of the training was based on learning through computer based e-learning modules, wherein all participants went to the Police Information Technology College at Police Lines, Peshawar for practically going through the modules. The modules focussed on drugs and precursors identification, interdiction of precursors and clandestine laboratories, and use of drug test kits. 

In total 22 officials - mainly Assistant Collectors, DSPs, ASIs, and Inspectors from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police, Excise & Taxation, Pakistan Customs, and Anti Narcotics Force attended the training course. The participants brought a wealth of experience from their respective fields, contributing to the value and delivery of the training; thereby making it both practical and innovative.  

On conclusion of the event, the Training Certificates were distributed by Mr. Dar Ali Khattak, DIG Investigation, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police. Mr. Khattak asked the training participants to implement the knowledge thus gained in their respective roles; and stated that it would be mandatory for these trained officials to transfer their new skills in turn by conducting such training at their own duty stations. 

In her closing remarks Ms. Anila Rahim, Programme Officer (Precursors) UNODC, emphasized the importance of interagency cooperation in tackling the issue of drugs and precusors trafficking. She   extended special thanks to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police team for their seminal support and cooperation in providing their e-learning centre for this training.