Singapore, 2-4 June 2026
The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), through its Global Rapid Interdiction of Dangerous Substances (GRIDS) Programme, in coordination with Service Senior law enforcement officials and representatives from intergovernmental organizations and trusted private sector partners gathered at INTERPOL’s Global Complex for Innovation in Singapore for the first Illicit Supply Chain Coordination Meeting (ISCM).
Held from 2-4 June, the meeting brought together around 90 experts from law, customs, and regulatory enforcement agencies, international bodies, and industry partners committed to strengthening the collective response to the growing threat of illicit trade in Asia. The planning and coordination of ISCM was led by an informal steering group comprising representatives from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, INTERPOL, International Narcotics Control Board, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Universal Postal Union, and regulated industry partners.
Illicit trade has become increasingly difficult to detect as criminal networks exploit e-commerce platforms, anonymous payment methods, encrypted communication tools, and international mail, express courier, and freight forward services. At the same time, illicit products have become more diverse and hazardous, often failing to meet required safety and health standards and containing undisclosed ingredients. Examples include illicit vapes, frequently linked to new psychoactive substances (NPS), as well as illicit tobacco, nicotine products, and medicines.
Through panel discussions and presentations, participants exchanged successful case studies, best practices, operational challenges, and lessons learned, while identifying new opportunities for regional and international collaboration to combat transnational organized crime.
Discussions focused on emerging illicit trade threats in Asia, with a particular focus on the illicit tobacco trade and the growing distribution of illicit vape products. Participants also examined enforcement strategies and intelligence-sharing approaches aimed at disrupting increasingly sophisticated criminal networks.
Speakers highlighted the vital role played by senior leadership, international organizations, and national enforcement agencies in coordinating a global response to illicit trade. They further underscored the importance of strong public-private partnerships and cross-sector cooperation in addressing evolving threats that extend beyond national borders.
The meeting reinforced the need for sustained collaboration, information exchange, and joint operational efforts to combat illicit trade in Asia and beyond.
The initiative was built from the lessons learned from previous operations, such as Operation African Star, which was developed to combat the distribution of illicit medicines and NPS via postal and air cargo services across East Africa. A key outcome of the meeting was securing buy-in from regional partners to replicate this operational methodology in the region. Numerous pilot projects are now being planned with several regional partners. By bringing together committed stakeholders with complementary authorities and expertise, ISCM is the first step to build a successful and sustainable response to combat illicit trade in Asia.
The Board's Global Rapid Interdiction of Dangerous Substances (GRIDS) Programme operates 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.
The GRIDS Programme is supported by the Governments of Japan and the United States. This event was made possible through generous support from the United States of America's Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.
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
