Strengthening the postal supply chain in South America: INCB-GRIDS' organizes 2nd regional cross-border training in Brazil to raise awareness and safe interdiction approaches for NPS and synthetic drugs in the region
Curitiba, Brazil, 24 November 2023 - The International Narcotic Control Board within the framework of the INCB Global Rapid Interdiction of Dangerous Substances (GRIDS) Programme coordinated the 2nd 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 through the postal supply chain in the region. The five-day networking and training event in Curitiba included postal security operators, customs enforcement and police drug control officers from the Governments of Argentina, Brazil, 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 opened jointly by Mr. Sérgio Ricardo Silva Cibreiros De Souza, Federal Criminal Expert, from Policia Federal and Mr. Fabiano Blonski, Regional Superintendent from Brazil Customs. In his opening remarks, Mr. Cibreiros stressed the importance of regional cooperation and the utility of INCB's proprietary intelligence tools in supporting the participants' operational work: "These substances are a threat that is unfortunately growing in our region, we are seeing it more and more every month, I would urge all of you take advantage of the tools provided by INCB, we are using them here in Brazil to support several investigations and we see their value". He closed by reiterating the importance of both inter-agency and inter-regional cooperation to combat the growing problem of NPS and Synthetic opioids, including fentanyl in the region.
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 activity included practical sessions on promoting 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.
To supplement the classroom activities, the participants also visited the Main International Postal Hub in Pinhais, Brazil, the largest facility of its kind in the region, to learn security and interdicting strategies and procedures implemented by Brazilian customs units, police drug control units and Postal Security Officers to identify and interdict dangerous substances being shipped through the post.
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.
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