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| News and Events Archive (2006)UNODC to Enhance Drug Control at Airports on Behalf of EC
The efficiency of counter narcotic efforts at airports in many respects depend on the professional level of the law enforcement personnel, and on the coordination of their activities. Recently, UNDP and UNODC have jointly established a regional project aimed at strengthening the drug control capacities at airports in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The establishment of interagency Drug Profiling Units (DPUs) at the main international airports and reinforcing drug control capacities have been planned in the frame of the Central Asian Drug Action Programme (CADAP 2) funded by the EU. Under the Project, the respective agencies of member-states have signed the Memorandum on these Units establishment, which will be operating in airports and equipped with specialized hardware for daily drug search and detection activities. These Units include representatives from the Ministry of Interior, customs service, border guards, national and aviation security services. Recently, the Units' officers from each country were trained in Tashkent, Bishkek, Khujand and Ashgabat. 48 officers were trained in drug profiling techniques (risk assessment, risk profiling, preliminary observation, questioning, analysis of behavioral indicators, etc.), as well as in collecting, collating, analyzing and the application of relevant information for the detection of illicit drug trafficking. In addition, in order to reinforce regional cooperation among airports and encourage the adoption of harmonized procedures and methods in drug control, arrests and seizures, a regional seminar was held in mid December in Tashkent. This seminar enabled the trained employees to discuss the establishment of a database for sensitive data and to share best practices for implementing agreements on information-sharing amongst countries. The overall objective of CADAP is to foster a development-oriented drug control strategy in Central Asia that ensures a sustained reduction of drug consumption and trafficking in line with European Commission drug strategies. EU Helps to Enhance Forensic Laboratory Capacities in all five Central Asian States
In order to strengthen forensic laboratory capacities in all five Central Asian states UNDP and UNODC ROCA are jointly implementing Project "Support to Forensic Laboratories Capacity in Central Asia" under European Union's Central Asia Drug Action Programme (CADAP Phase 3) with a view to support national and regional law enforcement efforts to combat the illicit trade in drugs and precursor chemicals. In consultations with Laboratory and Scientific Section of UNODC, Vienna, a Forensic Expert from Bundeskriminalamt (BKA), Germany, was recruited as International Consultant who conducted assessment mission to assess the current capacity of forensic laboratories of all the five Central Asian states and identify priority needs for equipment and training in each country and recommend appropriate changes to institutional and organisational framework in which forensic laboratories are working to ensure improvements in inter-agency and international sharing of drug related data.
During the first phase of the assessment mission from 2-14 December 2006 visits to Forensic Laboratories of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Forensic Laboratories of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Justice and Drug Control Agency of the Kyrgyz Republic were undertaken. During the second phase of the assessment mission visits to Forensic Laboratories of the Drug Control Agency, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Ministry of Justice of Tajikistan; Forensic laboratories of Ministry of Health, Ministry of Justice, Customs Committee and Ministry of Interior, Uzbekistan and Forensic laboratories of Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Energy of Turkmenistan was undertaken. During the assessment mission, the expert also had extensive discussions with EU-BOMCA officials and bilateral donors in the region. The final report on assessment results is expected to be submitted by the end of February 2007. Following endorsement of the Assessment Mission report by the European Commission, UNDP will procure and deliver equipment as recommended by UNODC and thereafter UNODC will implement a training programme for relevant staff of the forensic labs benefiting from the assistance. The overall objective of the CADAP is to foster a development-oriented drug control strategy in Central Asia that ensures a sustained reduction of drug consumption and trafficking in line with the European Commission drug strategies. Improving Border Controls at the Hayraton "Friendship Bridge" Check Point
In Uzbekistan, UNODC has been active in improving border controls at the Hayraton "Friendship Bridge" check point, which is a major transport connection between Central Asia and Afghanistan and creates benefits for both sides. With a view to maximizing the positive effect of trade there, UNODC has been concerned with minimizing the negative effects that increased drug trafficking through the point could create. UNODC had therefore been providing specialized equipment including weighbridge, video surveillance systems, mobile radar for controlling border area adjacent to the checkpoint. On 16 January 2007, UNODC handed over a Truck crane to be used for loading and unloading cargo and containers for the search purposes. Further, in April UNODC is planning to provide specialized search equipment and training to Uzbek Customs and Border Guard offices at the crossing. As a result, the checkpoint will be fully equipped and operational. UNODC Trains on HIV/AIDS Prevention and CareFrom 6-10 November in Tashkent, UNODC held a five-day national seminar on "Designing and managing effective HIV/AIDS prevention and care programmes targeted at IDUs". 35 participants from Uzbekistan were taught skills for developing and managing harm reduction projects targeted at IDU, in order to improve their access to services. The workshop also addressed improving relevant skills to coordinate harm reduction projects, develop communication with drug users, and addressing issues related to interactions with the police, health facilities and other service organizations. Subsequently, to ensure the sustainability of the training process, on 13-17 November UNODC held a five-day national 'Training of Trainers' workshop targeted at developing the training skills of current and future trainers/consultants on methodologies of training outreach workers engaged in HIV/AIDS prevention and care services among IDUs. 35 trainers from all over Uzbekistan are now able to conduct effective training and supervision of outreach workers. AML/CFT Training Series Started in UzbekistanFrom 6-10 November in Tashkent, UNODC held a five-day national seminar on "Designing and managing effective HIV/AIDS prevention and care programmes targeted at IDUs". 35 participants from Uzbekistan were taught skills for developing and managing harm reduction projects targeted at IDU, in order to improve their access to services. The workshop also addressed improving relevant skills to coordinate harm reduction projects, develop communication with drug users, and addressing issues related to interactions with the police, health facilities and other service organizations. Subsequently, to ensure the sustainability of the training process, on 13-17 November UNODC held a five-day national 'Training of Trainers' workshop targeted at developing the training skills of current and future trainers/consultants on methodologies of training outreach workers engaged in HIV/AIDS prevention and care services among IDUs. 35 trainers from all over Uzbekistan are now able to conduct effective training and supervision of outreach workers. UNODC held a Meeting of experts on the illicit drug trafficking training of Central Asian and Afghan Law Enforcement agencies14-15 November 2006, Tashkent
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) pays particular attention to the issues of training and capacity building of the law enforcement specialists involved in illicit drug trafficking countering. The NATO-Russia Council (NRC) along with UNODC launched the Pilot Project on capacity building of Central Asian and Afghan Law Enforcement Personnel in the field of illicit drug trafficking countering. . Training sessions in specialized education centres of Russia and Turkey, as well as fixed location trainings in Central Asia and Afghanistan, delivered by mobile training team, have been scheduled to be implemented under the cooperation of the NATO-Russia Council member-states. Activity of the project, results of the first training sessions for the law enforcement officers of Central Asian states and Afghanistan, concepts of mobile training team and preparation of the local trainers, and evaluation training programs and monitoring results were the key issues discussed during the Meeting of UNODC and NATO-Russia Council specialists and law enforcement employees of the Central Asian states and Afghanistan, which was held on 14-15 November 2006 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
The NATO-Russia project aims to assist in in-service training of the law enforcement officers of Central Asia and Afghanistan. All available resources of NATO-Russia Council member states will be used for this activity, namely, the cycles of fixed location trainings in Turkey and Russia. Provided courses will promote to extend the level of counter-narcotics operations and establish a potential capacity of mobile team trainers. Up to now, two training courses for 35 mid-level law enforcement officers from Afghanistan have been conducted at the TADOC and in the All-Russia Institute of Capacity Building Domodedovo under the Ministry for Defense, where the specialists of the illicit drug trafficking countering units are being trained. Also, the Russian Institute of Capacity Building conducted training courses for 15 law enforcement officers from Central Asian countries and Afghanistan. Currently, the trainers of NATO-Russia Council member-states are providing mobile training for the Tajik law enforcement officers. This Meeting allowed to identify the lessons learned for the training module future adjustment to the regional conditions, and improvement the networking and cooperation among the regional officials and NATO-Russia Council experts. Specific needs of the law enforcement agencies and their employees, as well as deepen assessment of the training efficiency will be taken into consideration during the further training activity. UNODC participated in the Conference of Heads of Informational/Statistical Departments of CIS Law Enforcement Agencies18-19 October 2006, Astana
UNODC participated in the Intergovernmental Conference of Heads of Informational/Statistical Departments of CIS Law Enforcement Agencies. "Cooperation in the field of informational support to combat transnational crime and terrorism" was a title meeting organized by the Committee on Legal Statistics and Special Records of the General Prosecutor Office of Kazakhstan. In attendance were 80 participants from 12 CIS countries represented by the Heads of Informational/statistical departments of the Ministry of Interior, Prosecutor Office, Financial Intelligence Unit, Customs and Ministry of Justice of respective countries. Representatives of CIS Antiterrorism Centre and CIS Executive Committee also participated in the conference. The Conference was divided into two sessions. The first session was devoted to an overview of the law enforcement informational/statistics departments' activities and cooperation of the CIS countries in this field.
During the discussions a special attention was given to Kazakhstan' experience to set up the Committee on Legal Statistics and Special Records under the General Prosecutor Office and results of legal information support in counter the crime. Notably, the Kyrgyz representative informed that Kyrgyzstan is planning to adopt a similar system and shift the current crime related information/statistics collection from Ministry of Interior to the Office of the Prosecutor General. The UNODC delivered a presentation on UNODC assistance in law enforcement activities including support to information collection and analysis. The second session mainly discussed ways to improve cooperation and information sharing mechanism within CIS Intergovernmental Informational Database (IID) maintained at the Main Informational-Analytical Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation. Finally, participants agreed to improve the cooperation in field of legal information exchange and establish the Intergovernmental Center for legal statistical and analytical information. Operation Transshipment Debriefing meeting in Tashkent2-4 October 2006
UNODC jointly with INCB organized "Operation Transshipment" at twenty strategic border checkpoints in the five Central Asian countries, in order to intercept the trafficking of smuggled consignments of precursor chemicals transiting through the Central Asian states to Afghanistan. This is the first operation of its kind in Central Asia involving all five Central Asian states. Mentors from France, Germany, the Russian Federation, Turkey and the United States provided on-site training at border checkpoints, and guidance in preventing the diversion of precursor chemicals. Operation Transshipment has resulted in seizures of 3 tons of sulphuric acid and 1,677 kg of marihuana in Kazakhstan, 7.21 kg of heroin in Kyrgyzstan, and 29.1 kg of heroin and 81.5 kg of opium in Tajikistan. A recent Operation Transshipment debriefing meeting held in Tashkent on 2-4 October 2006 recommended that next year's operation be conducted in a wider format with participation of Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan and China. AML/CFT Training for Financial Supervisory and Law Enforcement Officials26 September 2006
The World Bank and UNODC have initiated a training series of full-day training sessions for government officials on Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) for Financial Supervisory and Law Enforcement Officials of Central Asian Countries. On 26 September, the first of 6 training session was held for about 30 Uzbek officials representing the Financial Intelligence Unit of Prosecutor's Office, Ministries of Interior, Justice, Finance, Tax Committee, Central Bank and Customs Committee. In this session was discussed FATF Recommendations as well as corresponding Evaluation Criteria from the Evaluation Methodology. Discussions will include best practices, lessons learned from other countries, and the roles of all respective ministries and agencies concerning all the FATF Recommendations and requirements of the Evaluation criteria. Appointment of Victoria Chia as Project Coordinator in UNODC Bishkek OfficeMs. Vicktoria Y. Chia was recently appointed as the project coordinator of the "Drug Control Agency in Kyrgyz Republic" project. Additionally, she will be in charge of the office in Bishkek and responsible for all related UNODC matters in Kyrgyzstan. Mr. Chia comes to the ROCA office after serving three years at the UNODC Regional Centre for East Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok, where she most recently managed a drug control project (ATS) and a human trafficking project. Before joining UNODC, she was a Consultant at UNICEF in Mongolia and has previously worked with a number of NGO's as well as having private sector experience in various countries. Vicktoria Chia holds a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and International Relations from the University of Wisconsin in USA as well as Master's Degree in International Affairs from Columbia University in New York. Turkmenistan has accepted new National Anti-Drug Action ProgrammeAshgabat, Turkmenistan The Government of Turkmenistan recently adopted the "National Action Programme of the Fight against Illicit Narcotics and Psychotropic Materials, and Provision Material Assistance to Drug and Psychotropic Materials Addicts for 2006-2010", signed by President Saparmurat Niyazov on April 24, 2006. The five year Programme is directed at improving the strategy on drug control; strengthening the fight against illicit drug trafficking; increasing controls over the legal circulation of drugs and precursors, enhancing the professional skills of specialists in sphere of drug abuse and HIV/AIDS prophylactics/treatment, and provision of assistance to drug addicts. Along with the measures on fight against drugs smuggling, the programme includes: the conducting of a bi-annual operation nicknamed "MAK" ("Poppy") on the interdiction and eradication of opium poppy crops as well as the creation of action groups on financial control (including the confiscation of profits derived from the illegal sale of narcotics). In order to provide a legal basis for such activities, the Programme also includes measures on improvements to the current legislation and the elaboration of normative acts for the further implementation of Turkmenistan's drug control laws, as well as preparation and adoption of the 2006-2007 anti-money laundering. Within the framework of drug demand reduction and assistance to drug addicts the planned measures include providing prophylactics measures and annual epidemiological research on the HIV/AIDS situation among injecting drug users as well as the opening of new medical/rehabilitation centers and helplines in periphery regions and cities. The Programme also provides for the strengthening of cooperation with international organizations for the realization of common national and regional projects, including those administered by the UNODC. The State Coordination Commission on the fight against drug abuse under the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan together with the relevant ministries and departments will coordinate the implementation of the concrete measures outlined in the Programme. Euroasian Working Group (EAG) Meetings
25-26 August, 2006
The most recent EAG meeting took place on August 25-26 2006 in Kyrgyzstan, and was attended by numerous high level government officials representing countries in the Eurasian region. Other key actors that participate in strengthening the efforts of states in the region to increase their AML/CFT capacities were also present, including UNODC. As confirmed at the most recent meeting, private sector actors will be included in the dialogue concerning AML/CFT in the region at a meeting later this fall. A key topic discussed at the meeting was drug trafficking, to which the UNODC contributed valuable data and expertise. The meeting was also an opportunity to discuss progress that countries in the region have made towards strengthening AML/CFT efforts. Highlights include:
With its extensive knowledge base and experience, UNODC plays a key role in facilitating progress towards a stronger AML/CFT framework in the region. UNODC will continue to actively contribute to initiatives such as the EAG, in order to respond to complex problems of international crime with multifaceted solutions. UNODC, NATO-Russia Council strengthen law enforcement in Central Asia and Afghanistan
27 July 2006
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the NATO-Russia Council have agreed to cooperate in training law enforcement officers in Central Asia and Afghanistan in fighting the narcotics trade.
Data Management and Analysis Training
17-20 July 2006
The Global Assessment Programme on Drug Abuse (GAP) organized a 4 four days training on "Data Management and Analysis" from 17 July in Tashkent for 16 participants from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The participants were a mix of professionals especially those who are responsible for data management and analysis at the Ministries of Health, the Republican Narcology (national drug treatment centres) or the AIDS Centres. The four days workshop was a practical hand on training using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) on various aspects of data management, i.e., coding and recoding responses to a questionnaire, entering and cleaning data; and on concepts of descriptive data analysis. For most of the participants this was the first time they had received this kind of training. Official Opening of the DCA in South Kyrgyzstan
6 July 2006,
The UNODC ROCA Regional Representative James Callahan traveled to Osh, Kyrgyzstan on July 6 for the official opening of the southern branch of the Kyrgyz Drug Control Agency (DCA). In his welcoming speech, Kyrgyz Security Council Secretary Miroslav Niyazov expressed gratitude to donors and to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), for support in setting up the DCA in Kyrgyzstan and its branch in the southern region. In his speech he also expressed his high confidence in the integrity of the DCA staff. According to him, 13 law enforcement officers were arrested for drug trafficking in 2005 and 2006 in the Southern Kyrgyzstan. Among them nine officers from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, one prosecutor, two border guards and a customs officer. The Osh DCA Division is stationed in a large building which took almost six months and US$ 750,000 to renovate and equip. This modern DCA building has a modern forensic facility to conduct drug tests, the best detention facility in the Southern part of Kyrgyzstan, and large air conditioned offices for the staff. 27 out of the 60 vehicles supplied to the DCA by the project are being used by its Southern Branch which currently employs approximately 60% of the entire DCA country team agents. The opening was attended by Kyrgyz Senior officials and representatives of international organizations as well as donor countries. All present stressed the need for close regional cooperation to stem the threat of drug trafficking from Afghanistan. Drug Burning Ceremony held in Uzbekistan
26 June 2006,
On June 26, the National Security Service of Uzbekistan held a burning ceremony of drugs seized from illicit circulation. A total of 700 kg of drugs including 430,7 kg of heroin, 182 kg of opium, 73 kg of marijuana and 7,7 kg of hashish were burned during the event attended by UNODC and other international organizations and foreign embassies. The first such ceremony was held in 1994 when Uzbek law enforcement agencies burned more than 14 tons of drugs. According to Uzbek laws and procedures, drugs used as evidence in drug related criminal cases must be burned in special drug incinerators by members of State Interagency Commission with the participation of representatives of law enforcement agencies, courts and foreign diplomatic community. These events are coordinated by the Uzbek National Center on Drug Control and UNODC ROCA. Since 1994 Uzbekistan has destroyed more than 38 tons of drugs. Computer Based interactive training center
13 April 2006,
The opening ceremony of the Computer Based interactive training center was held on 13 April 2006 at the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The Center was established with the direct support of UNODC under its regional computer based law enforcement training project aimed at enhancing Governments' capacities to develop and implement self-sustaining training programs to counter drug trafficking. The Head of the Anti-Narcotics Department and Investigation Department Gen. F.Gadoev as well as of UNODC ROCA Representative for Central Asia James Callahan took part in the ceremony. Expert Roundtable meeting on Cross-border Cooperation
10-11 April 2006,
In order to better coordinate а response to the changing situation on the Afghanistan borders and as a result of а recommendation by the Vienna Policy Level Meeting of the Paris Pact (December 2005), the project organized an Expert Roundtable meeting on Cross-border Cooperation between Afghanistan and its neigbouring countries in April 10-11 2006 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Experts from major donor countries, international organizations as well as regional states reviewed existing border management, cross-border coordination, information and intelligence exchange mechanisms and ways to strengthen precursor control measures in Afghanistan and neigbouring countries. UNODC to Launch New Joint Operation to Combat Precursors Trafficking
28-29 March 2006,
The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) and UNODC, Regional Office for Central Asia jointly organized a meeting on 28-29 March 2006 in Tashkent with participation of representatives from Central Asian states, to discuss practical activities focusing on seizures of acetic anhydride and identification and disrupting methods and routes of diversion through the Central Asian states to Afghanistan. These joint activities would enhance the efforts already undertaken through the UNODC Regional Precursor Project and are the first of their kind in Central Asia involving all five Central Asian states. In addition, the Governments of France, Germany, Russia, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States would provide mentors for on-site training and guidance. International support would be provided through INCB Secretariat, Interpol, UNODC and WCO. The focus of the current exercise is to educate key officers from specific border crossings on methods used to identify and intercept smuggled consignments of chemicals. Basic training would take place in Turkey to be followed up with the actual activities at selected border crossings within Central Asia, with mentors from countries with experience in precursor interdiction providing on-site training and guidance. The emphasis would be on road transport, but attention would also be given to the seaports on the Caspian Sea and rail crossings from China and Russia. Customs, Police and Border Guards would share responsibilities and these specific activities are also to be viewed as a "First Phase" to be expanded to Afghanistan and other neighbouring countries in the future, using the lessons learned. UNODC, OPEC Fund Launch $4 million HIV/AIDS Prevention Project in Central Asia
16 March 2006,
UNODC and the OPEC Fund for International Development are launching a four million dollar project to improve HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment among drug users and prisoners in the five Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan. UNODC Executive Director Antonio Maria Costa and OPEC Fund Director-General Suleiman J. Al-Herbish signed an agreement on 9 April launching a project entitled "Effective HIV/AIDS prevention and care among vulnerable populations in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan." The UNODC Regional Representative for Central Asia James Callahan also attended the signing ceremony. Mr. Costa noted that compared with other regions in the world, Central Asia is experiencing the fastest growth in HIV/AIDS, mainly among injecting drug users and in prison populations. In addition, he further emphasized that this project can help prevent a major HIV/AIDS epidemic in the region and hoped that it will serve as a model for other regions. HIV/AIDS specialists from UNODC will help governments to develop comprehensive national prevention and care programmes among drug users and prisoners. This new project brings the volume of UNODC's demand reduction/HIV portfolio in Central Asia to more than $7 million. UNODC supports Central Asian Regional Drug Information Network
14-16 March 2006,
The Global Assessment Programme on Drug Abuse provides support to member states to build the systems necessary for collecting reliable data on drug abuse to inform policy and action. GAP had initiated its activities in Central Asia in 2001 with support to the countries in conducting "assessment of problem drug use in Central Asia". For the last three years GAP has been supporting implementation of 2 key epidemiological indicators - drug abuse treatment demand and HIV infections (especially among injecting drug users) in selected cities in the region. The focal persons, who collect the indicator data, also form part of the regional network - CARDIN (Central Asian Regional Drug Information Network) who meet annually to share information on drug abuse trends and experiences in data management. The 3rd Annual Review meeting of the regional drug abuse information network (CARDIN) was held on 1416 March 2006 in Tashkent. The meeting's participants included the designated national focal points, representatives of the Ministry of Health, Republican Narcology Centres and National Drug Control Agencies from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. This meeting also included participants from Pakistan represented by national focal person from the Anti Narcotics Force and the UNODC Programme Officer from Islamabad. During the meeting, the participants presented an overview of the drug abuse and HIV/AIDS situation in their respective countries and provided further information on setting up local and national information networks to monitor the drug abuse situation. UNODC Executive Director Welcomes Decision to Set up Central Asian Centre to Combat Narcotic Drugs
9 February 2006,
VIENNA, 9 February (UN Information Service) -- The Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Antonio Maria Costa, today welcomed a decision by five Central Asian countries, Russia and Azerbaijan to set up a regional coordination centre in Almaty, Kazakhstan, to fight illicit drug trafficking.
UNITED NATIONS INFORMATION SERVICE VIENNA (UNIS)
See also
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