Uzbekistan’s law enforcement officers seized contraband cigarettes at the UNODC-supported “Ayritom” border check point on the Uzbek-Afghan border

For many decades, efforts have been made to counter drug trafficking and abuse. Multiple measures and initiatives have been developed and implemented by UNODC in collaboration with national counterparts to address these challenges at both national and international levels.

One such initiative – the establishment of Border Liaison Offices (BLOs) – is considered a critical element for enhancing cross-border cooperation and intelligence-sharing. The primary goal of these offices is to detect and intercept smuggling, including narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, and precursor chemicals, all while facilitating legitimate international trade."

In August 2023, BLO officers representing the Customs and Border Services at the “Ayritom” border checkpoint on the Uzbek-Afghan border inspected a vehicle driven by a citizen of Uzbekistan who had entered the crossing point from a neighbouring country.

As a result, authorities discovered 2,040 boxes of tobacco products, with a total value of 51 million Uzbek soums, hidden without excise stamps inside the motor vehicle's fuel tank.

 

Currently, customs inspections are underway based on the revealed offense.

Earlier this year, from 12 June to 16 June 2023, UNODC conducted a five-day regional training course as part of the Project for Enhancing Regional Cross-Border Cooperation by Strengthening the Capacity of Border Liaison Offices (BLOs) in Central Asia. This training was conducted jointly with the Turkish International Academy against Drugs and Organized Crime (TADOC). The course focused on organizing border control at checkpoints along the border with Afghanistan, specifically at the BCP 'Ayritom'. The training was designed for 27 law enforcement officers from five Central Asian states: the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Practical sessions of the training took place at the BCP 'Ayritom' on the Uzbek-Afghan border. These sessions allowed participants to conduct inspections and carry out search operations directly at the Uzbek-Afghan border. Additionally, participants had the opportunity to share their experiences regarding drug trafficking trends in both Central Asia and Europe.

The training equipped participants with new knowledge and skills in risk analysis and assessment, document verification, interview techniques, search methods and principles, and the utilization of modern equipment for detecting contraband materials.

Between 2022 and 2023, a total of 115 law enforcement officers in Uzbekistan – out of 430 officers in the entire region – strengthened their capacities through a series of trainings organized by UNODC in Central Asia. These trainings were conducted as part of the Regional Initiative on Enhancing Cross-Border Cooperation in Central Asia. The focus of the training was on risk profiling, joint operative activity planning and implementation at the border, drug interdiction, and information sharing.  

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