INCB GRIDS Organizes Training on Intelligence Sharing, NPS Identification, and Opioids
Safe Interdiction Approaches and Facilitates Case Coordination Meeting in the Philippines
Manila, Philippines, 24-26 March 2026
The International Narcotics Control Board’s (INCB) Global Rapid Interdiction of Dangerous Substances (GRIDS) Programme conducted a three-day training workshop for drug law and regulatory enforcement officers of the Philippines in Manila, alongside a case coordination meeting held on the final day between the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (U.S. DEA) and Philippine law enforcement counterparts. The activities focused on the use of INCB GRIDS intelligence tools, identification of new psychoactive substances (NPS), and safe opioid interdiction approaches, while also supporting operational collaboration on ongoing investigations.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Luke Bruns of the United States Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (U.S. INL) reaffirmed his agency’s continued support to the Philippines in strengthening drug control and enforcement efforts. He highlighted the importance of initiatives such as the INCB GRIDS Programme in equipping national authorities with practical tools and capabilities, while promoting timely intelligence exchange and closer coordination at both national and regional levels. He emphasized that sustained cooperation and partnerships remain essential to effectively address the evolving challenges posed by dangerous substances in the Philippines and across Southeast Asia.
Following this, Mr. Earl Saavedra, Undersecretary of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) of the Philippines, reaffirmed the country’s strong commitment to countering the evolving threat of dangerous substances, particularly NPS and synthetic opioids. He noted that drug trafficking has become increasingly complex, with criminal networks leveraging online platforms and digital tools to obscure identities and broaden their reach, creating new challenges for enforcement efforts. Stressing the need for more proactive responses, he highlighted the importance of intelligence-driven operations and more effective information-sharing mechanisms. He also underscored the value of continued collaboration with international partners through initiatives such as the INCB GRIDS Programme, expressing confidence that the training would strengthen participants’ capacities and serve as a meaningful platform for practical knowledge exchange in support of national efforts.
Photo: Mr. Aleksander Piecyk briefing participants on INCB’s suite of GRIDS intelligence tools.
In this context, Mr. Aleksander Piecyk, Regional Technical Officer (RTO) for Southeast Asia, East Asia, and the Pacific under the INCB GRIDS Programme, welcomed participants to the training in Manila and expressed appreciation to the U.S. INL, the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, the Dangerous Drugs Board, and all participating agencies for their continued cooperation and support.
He emphasized that the rapidly evolving nature of synthetic drug trafficking – driven by emerging technologies, new trade routes, and increasingly complex criminal networks – requires strong multi-agency collaboration at both national and international levels. Mr. Piecyk further highlighted the importance of sustained capacity-building, expanding efforts beyond the capital to provincial areas, and fostering public-private partnerships to strengthen supply chain security and effectively address the growing threat of dangerous substances (namely NPS, non-medical synthetic opioids, and their related precursors).
Before the technical sessions began, the U.S. DEA representatives shared practical experiences and best practices in preventing the trafficking of dangerous substances across the region. This was complemented by presentations from representatives of the Philippines Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Bureau of Customs (BoC), who provided an overview of recent seizures, common concealment methods, and illicit activities related to NPS trafficking in the Philippines. These briefings set the context for the subsequent technical training, underscoring the importance of intelligence-led approaches and strengthened coordination among national authorities.
The technical sessions were delivered jointly by the GRIDS RTO and Mr. Sahil Sood, the GRIDS Project Officer.
On Day 1, the GRIDS RTO provided an overview of global and regional trends in dangerous substances and introduced INCB’s suite of GRIDS intelligence tools – IONICS, GRIDS Intelligence HD, and SNOOP (Scanning Novel Opioids Online Platform) – demonstrating how operational data can be transformed into actionable intelligence to support interdiction and enforcement efforts. The GRIDS Project Officer delivered a detailed module on the identification of NPS, including their chemical characteristics and health harms, and provided practical guidance on recognizing basic equipment used in the manufacture of illicit fentanyls and other synthetic drugs.
| Photo: Participants conducting presumptive testing on suspicious substances. |
On Day 2, the GRIDS RTO led advanced practical sessions on the IONICS communication platform and GRIDS Intelligence HD, guiding participants through data analysis, risk profiling, and intelligence-led operations. He also delivered modules on operational security (OPSEC) for online investigations, the practical use of SNOOP, and open-source intelligence (OSINT) techniques for monitoring synthetic opioids and other dangerous substances on digital marketplaces and social media. Officers learned how to safely collect, assess, and manage online information while ensuring operational security and protecting investigators.
These sessions were complemented by the GRIDS Project Officer’s modules on safe handling procedures and the correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE) when working with opioids and other dangerous substances.
This event was made possible through generous support from the United States Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (U.S. INL).
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