Building Capacity of Law Enforcement and Regulatory Officers of Lao PDR on GRIDS Intelligence tools, Awareness Raising and Opioids Safe Interdiction Approaches
14-16 November 2023, Vientiane, Lao PDR - The International Narcotics Control Board's (INCB) Global Rapid Interdiction of Dangerous Substances (GRIDS) Programme organized a three-day training event on GRIDS Intelligence tools, awareness raising, and opioids safe interdiction approaches for intelligence purposes for Laotian law enforcement and regulatory officers in Vientiane from 14-16 November 2023.
The event was attended by 15 Laotian enforcement officers from Customs and the National Commission for Drug Control and Supervision. The training also welcomed experts from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and observers from the United States Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL).
Photo: Mr. Duc Long Nguyen, GRIDS Programme (left); Mr. Somphin Inthavong, Vice Division from Customs Department (Middle); Mr. William Solley, Director of INL, US Embassy in Lao (Right)
The participants gained hands-on experience in utilizing Project ION Incident Communication System (IONICS) for sharing real-time information related to the seizures of the new psychoactive substances (NPS) and other dangerous substances, and in using GRIDS Intelligence HD targeting tools. These tools provide actionable intelligence for daily operations and risk profiling for frontline officers. A practical exercise incorporating actual case information further encouraged participants to collaborate in a real-time scenario.
Photo: Practical training with targeting tools, communications platforms provided by the GRIDS Programme
Dedicated sessions covering safe handling and the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and field tests for opioids for theory and practical approaches were delivered to all officers. At the end, PPE kits and materials were distributed to each agency to support their daily work to stop the trafficking of these substances.
Photo: Hand over of PPE and drug test kits
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 is supported by the Governments of Canada, Japan and the United States. This event was made possible through generous support from 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