INCB expands South America opioids awareness and safe interdiction for intelligence exchange networking multi-agency officers in Uruguay
22 April 2023 Montevideo, Uruguay - The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) Global Rapid Interdiction of Dangerous Substances (GRIDS) Programme delivered a multi-agency capacity building training for Uruguayan authorities in 17-21 April in Montevideo, Uruguay. The workshop brought together 32 participants from SND (National Secretariat of Drugs), Customs, Postal Operators, Ministry of Interior, Marine Coast Guard, and Ministry of Health to build capacity to address trafficking in non-medical synthetic opioids and dangerous new psychoactive substance (NPS) in the region.
During the training, officers received access to INCB global communications platforms and advanced targeting tools, such us IONICS, GRIDS Intel HD and ELITE, to enhance the global exchange of information and intelligence-led targeting and to support domestic and international investigations. The GRIDS team trainers also led live demonstrations on appropriate use of personal protective equipment and a rapid drug test kit that can detect fentanyls, tramadol and oxycodone. After the live demonstrations, opioids safe handling kits and rapid test kits were delivered to the participating frontline officers.
Photo: Officer applies theoretical training with practical exercises for safe interdiction for intelligence purposes, including handling, photographing, presumptive testing and gathering intelligence from suspicious shipments
GRIDS also performed on-site visits with officers at the Carrasco International Airport air passenger, cargo control centres and the police crime laboratory to examine cargo examination procedures and gain an understanding of the risk profiling and equipment used to test opioids and dangerous NPS. GRIDS team also met with the General Secretary of Postal Union of the Americas, Spain and Portugal (UPAEP) to discuss future cooperation to expand training activities on INCB platforms, opioids safe interdiction and intelligence exchange in 2023 for their postal security officers.
Photos: Officer field visit locations including Carrasco International Airport air passenger and cargo control centres and the police crime lab.
The Board's Global Rapid Interdiction of Dangerous Substances (GRIDS) Programme and Project ION and OPIOIDS Project support Governments' capacity to respond to changing trafficking, illicit manufacture, marketing and sales of NPS, non-medical synthetic opioids and fentanyl-related substances by providing real-time communication, facilitating information exchange and intelligence development that interdict distribution of dangerous substances.
This event was made possible through generous support the generous support of the United States Department of State Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL).
Click here to learn more about the GRIDS Programme
Click here to learn more about the OPIOIDS Project
Click here to learn more about the Project ION