Basic training on INCB GRIDS Intelligence Tools, Awareness Raising, and Opioids Safe Interdiction Approaches for Intelligence purposes for Customs officers in Central Provinces of Viet Nam
Quy Nhon, Viet Nam, 26-28 November 2024 - The International Narcotics Control Board's (INCB's) Global Rapid Interdiction of Dangerous Substances (GRIDS) Programme conducted a two-and-a-half-day training on the INCB GRIDS intelligence tools, awareness raising, and opioids safe interdiction approaches for intelligence purposes for 17 Customs officers from 9 Central provinces of Viet Nam from 26 to 28 November 2024.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Fumio Ito, Project Manager of Project ION (International Operations on NPS), remarked upon the growing prevalence of of new psychoactive substances (NPS) and non-medical synthetic opioids in Southeast Asia and stressed the importance of strengthening law enforcement capacity through intelligence-sharing and safe interdiction methods to combat the dangerous related to the trafficking of these substances.
Echoing Mr. Ito's remarks, Mr. Ta Nhat Quang, Official of International Cooperation Department, General Department of Viet Nam Customs (GDVC), recognized the critical importance of information-sharing as essential for identifying illicit trafficking networks and combating the spread of dangerous substances and highlighted its value for enhancing international cooperation among drug law enforcement agencies.
Photo: Mr. Ta Nhat Quang delivering the opening speech at the training event
Following the speakers' remarks, Ms. Le Thanh Hai, National Programme Officer for Viet Nam under the GRIDS Programme, presented an update on global and regional trends related to dangerous substances (namely NPS, non-medical synthetic opioids, and their related chemicals) and a detailed overview of INCB GRIDS projects, intelligence tools, and initiatives to address the threats arising from these substances.
Following this, Mr. Tran Van Tuan, lecturer at Viet Nam Customs School, provided a general overview of trends, seizures, and concealment methods of dangerous substances, and national legislation on NPS control in Viet Nam.
Photo: Mr. Tran Van Tuan presenting during the training on NPS in Viet Nam
On day 2, Mr. Ziming Wang, GRIDS Project Associate, conducted in-depth training sessions on the IONICS platform and GRIDS Intelligence HD, the advanced targeting system that converts IONICS communications into actionable intelligence, aiding daily operations and enhancing risk profiling.
Photo: Participants during the training session
Following this, on day 3, Mr. Sahil Sood, another GRIDS Project Associate, who delivered a presentation on NPS identification and their health harms on day 1, conducted special sessions on safe handling and proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the officers to enhance their awareness of the safety measures when dealing with opioids and other dangerous substances.
Photo: Officers during the session on safe handling techniques
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.
This event was made possible through generous support from the United States Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL).
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