India: UNODC’s Capacity Enhancement Training Strengthens Anti-Narcotics Efforts

Jaipur, India/19 May 2023: South Asia faces numerous challenges related to drug trafficking, including the production, transit, and consumption of illicit drugs. This has serious implications for regional security, health and stability. Enhancing the capabilities and expertise of law enforcement officials is crucial to effectively counter this transnational crime.

UNODC’s capacity building initiatives equip law enforcement officials with the necessary knowledge, skills, and tools to detect, investigate, and dismantle drug trafficking networks. This further strengthens their ability to identify and disrupt the illicit drug trade, prevent drug-related crimes, and apprehend key actors involved. Through specialized training programs, information sharing mechanisms, regional cooperation mechanisms and operational support, law enforcement officials can stay updated on evolving trends, techniques, and technologies employed by drug traffickers. Over the last several years, UNODC has supported and assisted the Government of India in synergising ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking, through research, technical support and capacity building initiatives.

Continuing these efforts, a five-day capacity building workshop was convened in collaboration with the National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes, and Narcotics (NACIN) Zonal Training Institute (ZTI) in Jaipur, Rajasthan to enhance the knowledge of 46 operational and supervisory officers from customs, the Narcotics Control Bureau, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, and the State Police.

The training program focused on four crucial pillars: understanding and implementing the NDPS ACT and related laws, financial investigations related to drug seizure cases and property attachment, the use of cyberspace for drug trafficking (including social media, darknet markets, and cryptocurrencies), and cyber security and digital forensics. The comprehensive program consisted of twenty interactive sessions, covering a wide range of topics related to narcotics control.

The training provided participants with practical knowledge and skills to combat the evolving challenges of drug trafficking in the digital age. To facilitate hands-on learning, the trainees were provided with password-protected software on pen drives, allowing them to simulate virtual machines and gain experience in a safe environment by accessing darknet markets.

Inaugurated by the Principal Director General of NACIN, New Delhi, the training received positive feedback from the participants, who recommended the need for longer-duration trainings, more intensive sessions focusing on darknet markets, open-source intelligence, social media, and cryptocurrency interdictions. They emphasized the importance of conducting regular trainings to stay updated on the latest changes in law and trends in narcotics trafficking.

The capacity enhancement training under the ongoing project served as a significant step forward in strengthening India's anti-narcotics efforts. The training equipped the officers with the necessary tools and knowledge to effectively combat drug trafficking, financial crimes associated with the illicit drug trade, and emerging challenges in the digital realm. The event concluded with participants expressing their interest in further follow-up trainings, particularly for more hands-on sessions.

The collaborative efforts of NACIN, ZTI Jaipur, and the participating law enforcement agencies demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning and improving strategies to tackle the menace of drug trafficking in India. By enhancing the skills and expertise of the officers responsible for combating narcotics, the country takes a crucial stride towards a safer and drug-free society.

UNODC continues to build on the discussions and interventions to strengthen cooperation with the Indian Government and law enforcement agencies in developing a comprehensive strategic framework to address the drug problem.

This activity contributed to SDG 3, SDG 16 and SDG 17: https://sdg-tracker.org/

(Supported by the Government of India)