Empowering Customs Trainers with Advanced INCB Targeting and Intelligence Tools and Safe Interdiction Approaches for Dangerous Synthetic Drugs in Viet Nam
2-3 November 2023, Can Tho - The International Narcotics Control Board's (INCB's) Global Rapid Interdiction of Dangerous Substances (GRIDS) Programme organized a two-day Training-of-Trainers Training (ToT) on INCB GRIDS Intelligence tools, awareness raising, and safe interdiction approaches for Intelligence purposes for Viet Nam Customs officers from the southern borders of Viet Nam from 2-3 November 2023.
Highlighting the success of the first two training events held in the North of Viet Nam for Customs and Police officers, Mr. Vu Van Khanh, the President of Viet Nam Customs Academy, welcomed the 18 officers from academies in the south of the country and expressed his appreciation for the growing partnership between the Academy, INCB GRIDS Programme and the United States Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. Furthermore, in the context of "increasingly sophisticated smuggling and concealment techniques" which frustrate the efforts of the customs and other law enforcement agencies to detect contraband, Mr. Samuel Juett, the Program Manager of INL, from the Viet Nam office echoed the importance of the GRIDS programme and its workshop to enhance "international cooperation, timely information sharing, and advanced risk-profiling techniques".
During the event, the participants were provided with an overview of the GRIDS Programme, its core focus, and global activities in addressing the trafficking of emerging synthetic drugs, dangerous new psychoactive subtsances (NPS), synthetic opioids and related chemicals. Experts from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration demonstrated their approaches in handling suspected fentanyls. The participants shared updated information on drug trafficking trends and cases identified in their respective regions. They also received a training on utilizing Project ION Incident Communication System (IONICS) for sharing real-time information related to the seizures of the NPS and other dangerous substances and on using GRIDS Intelligence HD for transforming IONICS information into actionable intelligence to support domestic and international trafficking investigations.
Practical training with PPE and drug test kits
Theoretical classroom sessions and practical exercises were conducted to raise awareness on the identification of NPS and the safe interdictions and handling of opioids and related dangerous substances based on the best science and realities of the field environment. Officers also received individual personal protective equipment (PPE) kits and field drug testing equipment specifically designed for frontline officers, and essential to support their daily work interdiction of substances safely.
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