INL-Funded GRIDS Programme Supports DEA-Led Counter-Narcotics a Series of Training in the Dominican Republic
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, 9 May 2025 - The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), through its Global Rapid Interdiction of Dangerous Substances (GRIDS) Programme, contributed to a series of counter-narcotics trainings led by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and supported by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).
Photo: GRIDS Advanced Training on NPS and synthetic opioids identification at DEA Emerging Trends in Synthetic Drugs for Leaders and Policy Makers
Held from 30 April to 9 May 2025, the trainings aimed to strengthen regional capacity to combat the trafficking of synthetic opioids, new psychoactive substances (NPS), and other dangerous substances through enhanced intelligence sharing and international cooperation. President Luis Abinader participated in the opening session, underscoring the Dominican Republic's commitment to addressing transnational drug threats.
Photo: GRIDS Advanced Training on NPS and synthetic opioids identification at DEA Emerging Trends in Synthetic Drugs for Dominican Republic officers
At the invitation of the DEA and the U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic, the INCB GRIDS Programme presented its tools and platforms, including IONICS, GRIDS Intel and the AI-powered SNOOP system, and provided participating officers with access to them.
This collaboration underscored the importance of multilateral coordination in strengthening global responses to synthetic drug threats and demonstrated the operational value of GRIDS tools in frontline training and enforcement efforts.
Participation of the INCB GRIDS Programme was made possible through generous support of the United States Government, Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement.
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.
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Click here to learn more about the OPIOIDS Project
Click here to learn more about the Project ION