UNODC-WCO Global Container Control Programme held practical Ferry exercise for PCU officers from Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan

In late July, a joint practical Ferry exercise aimed at strengthening the cooperation and information exchange between the Port Control Units (PCU) at the Turkmenbashi and Alyat International Seaports under the UNODC-WCO Global Container Control Programme (CCP) was held. The main focus of the joint exercise was combating transnational organized crime and security threats management by suppressing the high-risk consignments used for illicit drug trafficking and illicit goods smuggling.  

In total, eleven PCU officers, five from Turkmenistan and six from Azerbaijan, as well as two representatives of the donors took part in the exercise. Turkmenbashi and Alyat International Seaports considered to be the largest seaports in Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan, respectively.

The present activity provided a good opportunity for the frontline officers from Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan to improve their practical knowledge and skills in minimizing the risks of maritime containers/cargoes being exploited for the trafficking of illicit goods, including drugs, precursor chemicals, firearms, weapons of mass destruction, nuclear materials, and other forms of organized crime activity in a real-life environment. 

Besides, it was a good opportunity for Azerbaijani and Turkmen Customs officials to familiarize themselves with the seaports’ infrastructure, the border inspection and import/export/ transit control procedures of Alat and Turkmenbashi International Seaports. The participants enjoyed the unique opportunity to board and travel for two days with the ferry and to mingle with the crew and other itinerants. A study tour was conducted in the cargo area, engine area, and passenger living quarters of the vessel where the officers could identify potential concealment spots that could be used for smuggling purposes, as well as check the existing weak points in the control procedures.    

Emphasizing the fact that it was the first ferry exercise of such kind in the region, held between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan, Mr. Chary Atayev, UNODC National Programme Coordinator, expressed confidence that joint CCP - Azerbaijan/Turkmenistan Customs cooperation would yield concrete results and seizures of illicit goods made by the PCUs in the Caspian Seaports.

Upon discussions there was a common understanding that in recent years, countries of Central Asia, Black Sea, and Balkan regions have achieved a significant increase in inter-regional cooperation and collaboration, including in contribution to a smooth development of trade and transit corridors. However, it has been also agreed that as inter-regional integration increases, relevant border management and collaboration must increase too, to address growing drug, small firearms trafficking threats, including linkages with other forms of transnational organized crime and terrorism.

The participants expressed their appreciation to UNODC-WCO CCP for arranging this productive study visit, as well as for being a reliable interlocutor for the countries in their efforts to build and enhance mutual relations and practical cooperation.

The CCP Regional Segments for Southern Caucasus and Central Asia are 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 Program.

More about Global CCP at: https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/ccp/index.html

***

For more information contact Vasilina Brazhko 

Communication and PR Specialist at 

UNODC Criminal Justice Programme in Central Asia 

UNODC POKYR 

+996775987817 WhatsApp 

vasilina.brazhko[at]un.org