UNODC strengthens the capacity of Interagency Mobile Teams in Uzbekistan in search, inspection and profiling techniques

UNODC continues to support the Government of Uzbekistan in enhancing its responses to the interconnected problems of drug use, transnational organized crime, illicit trafficking in drugs, human beings and firearms, cybercrime, and terrorism.

On 29 January - 2 February and 5 - 9 February, UNODC conducted a training course on the detection of drug caches in vehicles and cargo and a training course on risk assessment and profiling in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, within Phase III of the project “Countering illicit drug trafficking through strengthened coordination and enhanced capacity of Interagency Mobile Teams”.  

 

The trainings were delivered for two groups of law enforcement officers – members of 13 UNODC-supported Interagency Mobile Teams of Uzbekistan (IMTs). Fifty-two law enforcement officers from IMTs improved their knowledge and skills in advanced profiling techniques.

The training aimed to equip the participants with information, skills and attitudes for safe and efficient search of individuals, vehicles, buildings, workplaces, goods and furniture to obtain evidence in all kinds of anti-smuggling operations and investigations.

During the opening session, Yusuf Kurbonov, UNODC International Programme Coordinator, welcomed the training participants and briefed them on project activities and plans to date. He thanked the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs for supporting the implementation of the project’s Phase III and stressed that “this unique initiative had already proved its effectiveness as the success of IMTs stood as a testament to the cohesive collaboration among various stakeholders.”

 

Dilrabo Abdughaparova, an expert from the National Information and Analytical Center on Drug Control under the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan, noted that according to the drug situation in Uzbekistan for 2022, 54% of drug seizures in the country were carried out through the efforts of IMT employees.

Timur Namazov, Head of the Counternarcotics Unit of the Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the Samarkand region, said that noticeable benefits from the establishment of IMTs and project implementation contribute significantly to enhancing the operational capacities of the law enforcement agencies of Uzbekistan.

The training sessions were delivered by international psychologists and profilers Lola Shakimova and Akmaral Abdukeeva and international customs expert Lauris Krivans.

 

The first part of the training covered psychological aspects of profiling, psychological characteristics of criminals, establishing psychological contact, methods of information extraction and management of difficult communicative situations. These topics were supported by the sessions on the development of risk profiles and the preparation of analytical information with a risk profile of potential targets.

The training also covered the operation principles of mobile teams and vehicle search and inspection methods.

 

The in-class sessions were complemented with practical and role-game exercises. Practical drills on vehicles and passenger search inspection procedures were conducted in compliance with core principles of justice, ethics and human rights.

 

The final day of the training was held at the Samarkand train station with practical study drills on profiling and identification of potential traffickers and criminals. Participants had an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills acquired during the four days of the training.

 

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From 2016 through 2023, UNODC, in collaboration with the competent authorities of Uzbekistan, implemented the project on establishing and operationalization of Interagency Mobile Teams.

The IMT units are instrumental in enhancing interagency cooperation, streamlining intelligence-sharing as well as fostering collaboration through joint operations with various agencies to maximize impact.

These teams comprise the combined efforts of the State Security Service, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the State Customs Committee, and the Department on Combating Economic Crimes under the General Prosecutor’s Office of Uzbekistan. The National Information and Analytical Center on Drug Control under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan lends strategic oversight, ensuring aligned coordination.

Phase III of the project “Countering illicit drug trafficking through strengthened coordination and enhanced capacity of Interagency Mobile Teams” implemented under Sub-programme 1 of the UNODC Programme for Central Asia 2022-2025, is funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.  

 

 

For further information, please contact:

 

Nurangez Abdulhamidova

Communications and External Relations Specialist

UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia

Email: nurangez.abdulhamidova[at]un.org