Together with national partners, UNODC remains committed to developing and executing innovative strategies to combat cross-border crime.
One key initiative in this endeavor is the establishment of Border Liaison Offices (BLOs), crucial for fostering improved cross-border communication and intelligence-sharing. These offices serve as vital hubs in the fight against various forms of smuggling, from narcotics to precursor chemicals, all the while facilitating legitimate international trade.
In July 2024, customs and border officers from the UNODC-supported BLO stationed at the Ayritom border crossing point (BCP) in the Surkhondaryo region of Uzbekistan thwarted an attempt to smuggle approximately eight kilograms of narcotic drugs.
During the inspection of a cargo van, officers discovered seven packages wrapped in tape and hidden within the truck. The packages contained a total of 3 kilograms of opium and 4.95 kilograms of hashish.
Established in 2016, the BLO at the Ayritom BCP is one of 24 such offices strategically positioned at key border crossing points across Central Asia. These offices have been established under the Regional Project on Enhancing Cross-Border Cooperation by Strengthening the Capacity of Border Liaison Offices in Central Asia of Sub-programme 1 Preventing and Countering Transnational Organized Crime of the UNODC Programme for Central Asia 2022 - 2025.
This pioneering initiative, supported by the Government of Japan, aims to empower BLO officers across the region with the necessary skills and tools to combat transnational organized crime effectively.
Such collaborative efforts with stakeholder involvement from various law enforcement agencies highlight a shared commitment to preventing and countering transnational organized crime, making the borders in Central Asia safer and more secure.
*Photo courtesy of the Customs Committee of the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Learn more about the project:
United for Security: A Look at UNODC’s Cross-Border Cooperation Initiative in Central Asia
For further information, please contact:
Nurangez Abdulhamidova
Communications and External Relations Specialist
UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia
Email: nurangez.abdulhamidova[at]un.org