Training on INCB GRIDS Intelligence tools: Awareness Raising and opioids safe interdiction approaches for intelligence purposes for drug law enforcement and regulatory officers of Lao PDR
5-7 December 2023, Luang Prabang, Lao PDR - The International Narcotics Control Board's (INCB's) Global Rapid Interdiction of Dangerous Substances (GRIDS) Programme organized a three-day training on INCB GRIDS Intelligence tools, awareness raising, and opioids safe interdiction approaches for Intelligence purposes for law enforcement and regulatory officers of Lao PDR from 5-7 December 2023.
The event, attended by 19 officers (12 from the Lao Customs and 7 from the Lao National Commission for Drug Control and Supervision (LCDC)), focused on increasing the knowledge of participants about the GRIDS Programme, its strategic initiatives, and various activities carried out to address the evolving threats posed by emerging opioids and related dangerous substances not under international control. The representatives of the two agencies provided updates on the latest trends and seizures of dangerous substances in the county and discussed opportunities for inter-agency cooperation.
The opening ceremony was presided over by Mr. William Solley, Director of the State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Division (INL) of the United States of America; Mr. Somphin Inthavong, Deputy Director of Training, Lao Customs Department; and Mr. Fumio Ito, Manager of Project ION (International Operations on New Psychoactive Substances (NPS)) of the GRIDS Programme. Talking about the rise in the proliferation of New Psychoactive Substances in Southeast Asia, Mr. Ito remarked that the East and Southeast Asian drug markets have shown a marked increase in synthetic drug manufacture and trade. The demand for these substances in Southeast Asia has grown because they are often cheaper and more accessible than traditional illegal drugs. Furthermore, traffickers exploit social media and e-commerce platform to sell dangerous substances, and the anonymity and convenience of this modality makes it difficult for law authorities to trace and intercept this transactions.
Highlighting the urgent need to include contemporary initiatives to counter the trafficking of dangerous substances, Mr. Somphin from the Lao Customs stressed the importance of international collaboration, intelligence sharing, and border control measures. Complementing his remarks, Mr. William Solley added that the INL will continue to support and encourage the GRIDS Programme's initiatives in the region and support law enforcement officers to build inter-agency cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking.
Photo: Mr. Fumio Ito; INCB NPS Project Manager, based in Vienna, Austria (left); Mr. Somphin Inthavong, Deputy Director of Training, Lao Customs (middle); and Mr. William Solley, Director INL, US Embassy (right).
Photo: Group photo of the opening ceremony on 5 Dec 2023 at Souphattra Luang Prabang hotel, Luang Prabang, Laos
Photo: Officers from Lao Committee on Drugs and Crimes (LCDC) and Ministry of Public Security (MPS).
Photo: Officers from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ).
The participants acquired hands-on experience in utilizing the Project ION communication system, IONICS, for sharing real-time information related to the seizures of the NPS and other dangerous substances; and in using GRIDS Intelligence HD, the advanced targeting system that transforms IONICS communications into actionable intelligence for daily operations and risk-profiling. Additionally, a special training session on the safe handling and proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was also conducted for the officers to enhance their awareness of the safety measures when dealing with opioids and other dangerous substances.
The event, coinciding with the launching of the GRIDS' sub-programme in the country, enhanced collaboration between the Customs, the LCDC Police officers, and the prosecutors, setting the stage for the upcoming programme activities in Lao PDR in 2024.
After the training, the GRIDS team also visited LCDC and the Ministry of Justice in Vientiane to discuss assistance plans in the near future.
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.
These events were made possible through generous support from the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, Department of State, U.S. Government.
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