Strengthening regional cooperation in South America: INCB-GRIDS' organizes regional cross-border training in Chile to raise awareness and safe interdiction approaches for NPS and synthetic drugs in the region
Santiago, Chile, 17 November 2023 - The International Narcotic Control Board within the framework of the INCB Global Rapid Interdiction of Dangerous Substances (GRIDS) Programme organized the 1st in a series of its back-to-back regional cross-border trainings to bolster the capabilities of frontline officials and provided them the opportunity to develop networks and skills for cross-agency international cooperation related to the trafficking of new psychoactive substances (NPS) and non-medical synthetic opioids in South America. The five-day networking and training event in Santiago included customs enforcement and police drug control officers from the Governments of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, and Uruguay, as well as international experts from the Universal Postal Union (UPU), the World Customs Organization (WCO), the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) and United States Customs & Border Protection (CBP) Container Security Initiative.
The event was inaugurated by Mr. Patricio Navarro Poblete, Chief of the Investigative Brigade for Chemical Substances of the Investigations Police of Chile (PDI). In his opening remarks, Mr. Navarro highlighted the importance of not just regional but global cooperation to combat the trafficking of these dangerous substances: "NPS have never been a regional problem, on the contrary, it is a global issue whose effects and impacts on economies and public health are felt around the world. We are very grateful to the INCB for their operational support and these fundamental training programmes, which allow us to share experiences between different countries and agencies." He continued by emphasizing the threats posed by fentanlys and other synthetic opioids being encountered in the region: "The dangers entailed by the advent of fentanyls further highlight the importance of international collaboration, to transmit interdiction practices and safe handling of these substances not only to prevent their proliferation in illicit markets, but also to protect front-line agents. Secure interdiction is the basis for collecting intelligence information to combat criminal organizations dedicated to the illicit trafficking of these substances."
Throughout the week, participants gained a comprehensive understanding of the GRIDS programme, including its strategic initiatives designed to address constantly evolving drug trafficking landscape. This shifting terrain is increasingly exploited by criminals who leverage postal networks, international logistics and service providers to traffic new psychotropic substances (NPS) and non-medical synthetic opioids. The participants as well as regional experts had the opportunity to share insights into current national and regional trends in drug trafficking, shedding light on recent major seizures where international cooperation played a pivotal role in dismantling organized criminal networks.
The cross-border regional activity included practical sessions to promote teambuilding, exchanging expertise, and enhancing officers' ability to share case information related to these dangerous substances. The officers received advanced training on how to develop strategic and operational intelligence packages using IONICS communication platform and GRIDS targeting tool, and on Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) approaches for monitoring and identification of illicit online opioids sales. Bilateral case meetings were also conducted on an ad-hoc basis between participants and regional experts.
Officers were provided access to INCB global communications platforms and advanced targeting tools, such as IONICS, GRIDS Intelligence HD and ELITE, to enhance the global exchange of information and intelligence-led targeting and to support domestic and international investigations. Trainers also led a dedicated, practical science-based training on their appropriate use of INCB supplied personal protective equipment (PPE) and rapid drug test kits that can detect even trace amounts of the most commonly trafficked synthetic opioids, namely tramadol, oxycodone, and fentanyls-some fatal if consumed at the milligram dosage. Training was matched to the realities of the challenging field environment where the frontline officers operate. These resources were supplemented with field guides, awareness posters and access to the ELITE virtual training resources.
In addition to the in-class activities, the participants also had two separate field visits on day 4 of the cross-border training. In the morning officers had the opportunity to see the work of the National Criminal Laboratory in forensically testing samples of NPS and other dangerous substances. In the afternoon, participants visited the Customs Centre at the Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport in Santiago and finally visited the Main International Postal Hub of Chilean Post. All these field visits were meant to showcase the incredible work done by Chilean authorities and also to allow participants to learn from best practices and share their experiences across these various fields.
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 at the source. The GRIDS Programme enjoys support from the Governments of Canada, Japan, and the United States. This event was made possible through generous support from the Government of Canada's Global Affairs Canada and the United States Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.
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