Bangkok, Thailand 26-27 March 2025
The International Narcotics Control Board’s (INCB’s) Global Rapid Interdiction of Dangerous Substances (GRIDS) Programme in coordination with the Canada Borders Services Agency (CBSA) conducted a comprehensive, two-day training on INCB GRIDS’ suite of intelligence-led tools, awareness raising on emerging New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), open-source intelligence and operational security fundamentals using the newly-launched Scanning of Novel Opioids on Online Platforms (SNOOP) tool. The training included 22 Regional Liaison Officers and attachés and agents from CBSA, Thai Customs, UK Home Office, U.S Customs and Border Protection, and U.S Drug Enforcement Administration, with areas of responsibility ranging across Cambodia, China, Laos PDR, Malaysia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Mr. Aleksander Piecyk, Regional Technical Officer for East and Southeast Asia and the Pacific, led the entire two-day training, beginning by presenting an update on global and regional trends related to dangerous substances (namely NPS, non-medical synthetic opioids, and their related chemicals), a detailed overview of INCB GRIDS projects, the project’s suite of intelligence tools, and initiatives to address the threats arising from these substances. Throughout the training, participants gained a comprehensive understanding of the programme, including its strategic initiatives designed to address the constantly evolving drug trafficking landscape. This shifting terrain is increasingly exploited by criminals who leverage postal networks, international logistics and service providers, as well as online e-commerce and social media platforms, to traffic new psychoactive substances (NPS) and non-medical synthetic opioids.
Officers were provided access to INCB global communications platforms and advanced targeting tools – such as IONICS, GRIDS Intelligence HD, SNOOP, and ELITE – to enhance global information exchange, intelligence-led targeting, and support for domestic and international investigations. They received advanced training on how to develop strategic and operational intelligence packages using the IONICS secure communication platform and GRIDS Intelligence targeting tool, including the most recent Ultra HD update, which allows for precise street-level targeting and incorporates GRIDS Targeting Assist (GTA), all designed to convert IONICS communications into actionable intelligence, aiding daily operations and enhancing risk profiling and trend analysis capabilities.
On day 2, Mr. Piecyk conducted an in-depth training session on Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) approaches for monitoring and identification of illicit online opioids sales. The module included hands-on training on the new SNOOP tool, which provides details of suspicious online vendors and marketplaces that appear to be exploiting global e-commerce platforms to traffic synthetic opioids, including fentanyl, its analogues, and the equipment and precursors used in its manufacture. The training ended with a comprehensive overview of operational security fundamentals that investigators should apply when conducting online investigations to protect both themselves and their organizations. Finally, all participants completed a post-training exam to assess the effectiveness of the capacity-building session and to better understand how learning improved throughout the two-day training.
The Global Rapid Interdiction of Dangerous Substances (GRIDS) Programme and Project ION and OPIOIDS Project operate under the International Narcotics Control Board's unique Article 35 (1961) treaty mandate that supports Governments' capabilities to exchange information on trafficking, illicit manufacture, marketing and sales of NPS, synthetic opioids, fentanyls and related chemicals, by providing real-time communication, and capabilities to facilitate information exchange and intelligence development with the aim to interdict distribution of dangerous substances.
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
