Review of Inter-Agency Mobile Teams Monitoring Missions conducted by UNODC jointly with Operations Coordination Team in 2022

From  September to  December 2022, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Office for Central Asia, the representatives of the National Information-Analytical Center on Drug Control under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan (NCDC), the members of the Operations Coordination Team (OCT) carried out  a series of joint monitoring missions to the Interagency Mobile Teams (IMT) offices located within premises of local divisions of customs and internal affairs in 12 regions of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Karakalpakstan.

The monitoring missions provided an opportunity to discuss the status of Phase II project implementation, as well as current issues and results of joint operational-search activities, identify successes and challenges faced by IMTs, and identify possibilities to further strengthen the inter-agency collaboration to achieve the goals of the initiative.   

In the course of the monitoring missions OCT members delivered presentations on “Impact of the IMT project on drugs situation in Uzbekistan”, “Internationally controlled deliveries carried out by OCT and IMT members” and conducted a training course on the efficient methods of use of the equipment handed over within the framework of the IMT project, followed by group discussions.

During the monitoring missions IMT officers presented the reports on joint operations, seizures, and demonstrated how Phase II of the initiative contributed to enhancement of inter-agency collaboration. Most of IMT officers in the regions noted that the technical equipment purchased under the project greatly increased the productivity and efficiency of their professional activities.  

The project activities carried out within the framework of Phase II of the initiative has contributed to strengthening interagency cooperation mechanisms at the operational level. The initiative supported the OCT in enhancing their skills of operative coordination, expanding operative presence in the regions by increasing the numbers of IMT offices, strengthening operative cooperation between all IMTs in conducting joint operations, including controlled deliveries. Due to effective cooperation of IMT and OCT teams, there was an increase in drugs seizures and arrests.

Yusuf Kurbonov, International Project Coordinator of UNODC ROCA commended the joint efforts of the OCT and IMT officers in countering trafficking in drugs and stated that the results of joint operational-search activities and seizures serve as an indicator of high level and professional interagency cooperation established within the IMT. 

Ibrokhim Ibragimov, Deputy Head of the State Customs Committee of Fergana region expressed his gratitude to the UNODC ROCA and the Government of Japan for continued support provided to the IMT units and law enforcement officers within the framework of the IMT project. He highlighted the fact that due to the well-established interagency coordination and cooperation; the joint activities and operations are conducted with increased efficiency resulting in significant increase in drugs seizures and arrests.

The initiative on "Countering trafficking of Afghan narcotics and synthetic drugs in Uzbekistan through establishment of Interagency Mobile Teams (IMTs)" is implemented under Sub-Programme 1 of the UNODC Programme for Central Asia with financial support of the Government of Japan. The initiative aims to address the challenges of countering narcotics in Uzbekistan and facilitate enhancement of the relevant agencies in the country by providing technical assistance in establishment of Interagency Mobile Teams, creating required institutional and legal frameworks, procurement of equipment, delivering training courses and workshops. 

For further information please contact:        

Arifa Fatikhova  

Communications and External Relations Officer

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) 

Regional Office for Central Asia

Mobile: (+998 99) 825-05-43 | Email: arifa.fatikhova[at]un.org