INCB GRIDS Organizes National Consultation Workshop on Strengthening Inter-agency Cooperation Against Dangerous Substances Trafficking
Hanoi, Viet Nam, 16 May 2024 - The International Narcotics Control Board's (INCB's) Global Rapid Interdiction of Dangerous Substances (GRIDS) Programme organized the National Consultation Workshop for Vietnamese law enforcement agencies to strengthen inter-agency cooperation against the trafficking of dangerous substances (namely new psychoactive substances (NPS) and non-medical synthetic opioids) as well as their relevant precurors.
Photo: Opening ceremony of the event
The workshop, first in the series of activities planned by the GRIDS Programme in Southeast Asia in 2024, brought together twenty-three (23) participants from several national law enforcement agencies such as the Counter Narcotics Police Department (CNPD), the General Department of Viet Nam Customs (GDVC), the Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG), the Border Guard Command, the Drug Administration of Viet Nam (DAV), the Viet Nam Chemical Agency, as well as the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) of the U.S Department of State.
Photo: Mr. Hoang Tam Hieu delivering his speech
The opening ceremony was presided over by Sr. Col. Hoang Tam Hieu, Deputy Director of the Counter-Narcotics Police Department in Vietnam, Mr. Samuel Juett, Program Coordinator of the INL Viet Nam, and Mr. Fumio Ito, Project Manager of Project ION (International Operations on New Psychoactive Substances). The speakers, welcoming the GRIDS Programme's initiative, stressed the importance of greater inter-agency cooperation for combatting the trafficking of dangerous substances and expressed their willingness to participate in such initiatives.
Photo: Mr. Fumio Ito delivering the presentation on the application of technology to combat drug trafficking
Discussing the importance of leveraging technology for preventing dangerous substance trafficking, Mr. Ito, in his opening speech and presentation, highlighted the necessity of intelligence exchange and capacity building and introduced the GRIDS' intelligence tools and their practical usefulness in supporting the member states' efforts in the interdiction of dangerous substances.
Photo: Representatives from law enforcement departments delivering their presentations
The representatives from law enforcement agencies shared the most updated information on seizures and modus operandi related to NPS and non-medical synthetic opioids in Viet Nam. Presentations from regulatory agencies provided participants with knowledge of the existing legal framework on controlling misused medicines and possible diversion of chemicals. Participants also discussed the challenges associated with handling NPS cases and strategies to promote cooperation among related departments.
Photo: Participants engaging in discussions
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