United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

Central Asia

UNODC-WCO Global Container Control Programme strengthens the technical capacities of the Port Control Units in Central Asia

On 23 July 2021, the UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia has handed over the computer and IT-equipment to the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan under UNODC-World Customs Organization (WCO) Global Container Control Programme (CCP) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The equipment will be used by CCP National Coordinators at State Customs Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Port Control Unit (PCU) deployed at Chukursay Tekhkontora Customs post in Uzbekistan. Since Uzbekistan’s engagement in the Programme, PCUs have successfully participated in different stages of capacity-building measures envisaged by the Programme including theorical, practical, advanced training as well as regional/international activities.

During the handover, Mr. Ramil Kontyukov, Deputy Chief of the Risk Assessment and Monitoring Department of the State Customs Committee commended UNODC and CCP for mutually beneficial and fruitful cooperation – which turned into successful practical interaction – and stated that today’s equipment handover will certainly strengthen PCU technical capacity and make o worthy contribution to the efforts on detecting high-risk consignments.

The official handover ceremony of the specialized equipment for detection of narcotic drugs, Raman TruNarc, portable handheld analyzer to the State Revenue Committee of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan took place on 29 June 2021. The device is dedicated for the use by Air Cargo Control Unit at “Zhetysu” Customs post located in Almaty International Airport. The ceremony was attended by representatives of “Zhetysu” Customs post including Deputy Head of the Post, members of ACCU and the UNODC staff.   

Mr. Dulat Okutayev, Deputy Chief of the Customs Post assured that the use of TruNarc will facilitate the work of ACCU in efficient detection of illicit drugs and precursors and optimize the investigative procedures of law enforcement authorities involved in fighting against drug trafficking, transnational organized criminal activities and other forms of illegal trade on the border. 

At present ACCU officers at Almaty airport are staffed, trained, and equipped to undertake the systematic profiling and inspection of high-risk containers with minimum disruption to legitimate trade.

As part of the national COVID-19 response and partnership, UNODC-World Customs Organization (WCO) Global Container Control Programme (CCP) has procured and handed over to the Drug Control Agency under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan the Video Conference System for holding online meetings, conferences and prevent contracting the virus while performing their duties. Mr. Habibullo Saydullo Vohidzoda, Director of the Drug Control Agency under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan noted that the implementation of the Programme will significantly increase the safety and security of the international trade performed with the use of container and cargo movements. He expressed his gratitude for the great ongoing support in enhancing the existing PCUs in Tajikistan and a hope for further fruitful cooperation.

28 May 2021 – The UNODC-WCO Global Container Control Programme has transferred the specialized and office equipment to the Port Control Unit in Osh, the Kyrgyz Republic.

The equipment included radio devices, electric lighters; GPS trackers; mobile network suppressor, office equipment; field uniforms; printed TIR and Customs rules catalogues; and other Customs control tools. The above equipment was procured upon formal request of Southern Customs, Osh PCU.

Mr. Bayish Sultanov, Coordinator of Osh PCU has expressed his special gratitude to the CCP for continuous support rendered by the Programme and noted that all the special equipment and communication means will further add to strengthening the risk profiling capacities and enhancing the anti-smuggling efforts at the borders.

The CCP Regional Segment for Central Asia is funded by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), and the Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) Programme.