Training on INCB GRIDS Intelligence Tools, Awareness Raising, and Opioids Safe Interdiction Approaches for intelligence purposes for drug law enforcement officers in central provinces of Viet Nam
Nha Trang, Viet Nam, 9-11 October 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 drug law enforcement officers in central provinces of Viet Nam in Nha Trang, from 9 to 11 October 2024.
In his opening remarks, Colonel Nguyen Van Cuu, Deputy Head of Advisory Division, Counter-Narcotics Police Department (CNPD), underscored the importance of the intelligence tools developed by the GRIDS programme in facilitating timely information and intelligence sharing to combat drug trafficking. He also highlighted the role of the IONICS platform, the Project ION Incident Communication System, for sharing real-time information related to the seizures of new psychoactive substances (NPS) and other dangerous substances, as a crucial communication channel that supports collaborative investigations.
Photo: Colonel Nguyen Van Cuu delivering opening remarks
Mr. Kevin Li, Special Agent, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in Hong Kong SAR of China, expressed his appreciation to the GRIDS programme for its efforts in organizing a series of training events in Viet Nam aimed at preventing the trafficking of NPS and synthetic opioids. Emphasizing the dangers posed by fentanyl and its analogues, particularly to law enforcement officers and first responders, he encouraged collaboration among agencies to tackle these dangerous substances.
Photo: Mr. Kevin Li delivering opening remarks
Presenting his remarks virtually, Mr. Fumio Ito, Project Manager of Project ION (International Operations on NPS) remarked upon the increasing prevalence of NPS in Southeast Asia and expressed confidence that the training would foster better operational collaboration among law enforcement agencies in Viet Nam.
The training, attended by 14 officers from provincial divisions of CNPD in Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Kon Tum, and Khanh Hoa, began with a comprehensive overview of the GRIDS programme, its strategic initiatives, and various activities designed to address the challenges of trafficking dangerous substances (namely NPS, non-medical synthetic opioids, and their related chemicals). The representative of CNPD provided an update on the latest trends and seizures involving these substances in Viet Nam as well as highlighted the agency's efforts in preventing their trafficking.
Photo: Representative from the Counter-Narcotics Police Department presenting during the information sharing session
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: A participant during the training session on IONICS
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: Participants during the training 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