UNODC-WCO Global Container Control Programme enhances the knowledge of members of Port Control Units in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan

On 12-15 July 2022 the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Office for Central Asia organized a specialized training on Customs Operational Practices for Enforcement and Seizures (COPES) in Bukhara, Uzbekistan for members of Port Control Units (PCUs) of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan within the framework of the UNODC–World Customs Organization (WCO) Global Container Control Programme (CCP).

The training was aimed at sharing the WCO’s practical knowledge and expertise under the WCO’s COPES Programme, specialized in the enforcement of Customs legislation and procedures and brought together 21 participants from Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, including CCP National Focal Points (NFPs) from the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan and the State Customs Committee and the National Information-Analytical Center on Drug Control under the Cabinet Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan (NCDC) as well as members of PCUs deployed at Beyik Serdar Yoly, Beyik Turkmenbashy, and Farap Avtoyollary Customs posts of Turkmenistan, and Tekhkontora Chukursay, Alat, and Yallama Customs posts of Uzbekistan. 

It was led in an in-person format by WCO experts who covered theoretical sessions with practical and interactive exercises on risk assessment, analysis, and targeting; local legislation practices and procedures; intelligence-related aspects; examination techniques; investigative tools and methods; strategic trade control issues; special te1chniques such as verbal and non-verbal communication; practical interviewing; case management; hands-on exercises on forensics integrity and evidence handling; as well as bulk cash smuggling, followed by knowledge-check exercise. Separate session was held on the emerging trends and global legislative approaches in addressing the new psychoactive substances, including their history and classifications.

Welcoming the participants, Mr. Batyr Geldiyev, CCP Regional Programme Coordinator stressed that the close interaction between NFPs and PCUs of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan would contribute to the practical cooperation in identifying and suppressing high-risk consignments in addition to knowledge the participants would acquire from the training. In this regard, he encouraged them to benefit from this unique opportunity to engage actively in the sessions, discussions, and practice-and-opinion exchanges on current daily basis practices, challenges, and ways to improve it.

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.

For more 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 93) 505-05-58 | Email: arifa.fatikhova[a]un.org