INCB GRIDS Organizes Training on Intelligence Sharing, NPS Identification, and OSINT
Techniques for drug law enforcement and regulatory officers from Nepal and Bangladesh
in Kathmandu
Kathmandu, Nepal, 31 March to 2 April 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 enforcement and regulatory officers from Nepal and Bangladesh in Kathmandu, Nepal. The activities focused on the use of INCB GRIDS intelligence tools, the identification of new psychoactive substances (NPS), and open-source intelligence (OSINT) techniques, as well as raising awareness of precursor chemicals and basic equipment used in the manufacture of fentanyls and other synthetic opioids.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Fumio Ito, Project Manager, Project ION (International Operations on NPS), GRIDS Programme, welcomed law enforcement and regulatory participants from Nepal and Bangladesh to the training in Kathmandu and expressed appreciation to the United States Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (U.S. INL), as well as the Governments of Nepal and Bangladesh, for their continued cooperation and support.
He emphasized that the rapidly evolving nature of synthetic drug trafficking – driven by emerging technologies, new trafficking routes, and increasingly complex criminal networks – poses significant challenges that no single country or agency can address alone. Mr. Ito highlighted the importance of strengthening both national multi-agency coordination and international cooperation, particularly in enhancing timely information-sharing to effectively detect and respond to the trafficking of dangerous substances (namely NPS, non-medical synthetic opioids, and their related precursors). He further encouraged active participation and knowledge exchange among participants to support more effective and coordinated responses to these threats.
Following his remarks, Mr. Ulrich Meiser, Head of the UNODC Programme Office in Nepal, highlighted the growing challenges posed by synthetic drugs and opioids in South Asia, noting the increasing number of trafficking incidents and the evolving nature of the regional drug landscape. He emphasized that drug trafficking has become more complex and far-reaching, driven by increasingly sophisticated criminal networks, the use of new technologies, and the continued movement of illicit substances along major regional routes.
Mr. Meiser underscored the importance of strengthening regional cooperation, particularly between Nepal and Bangladesh, given their strategic positions along key trafficking corridors. He further highlighted the value of joint training initiatives, such as the INCB GRIDS Programme, in enhancing law enforcement capacities, promoting timely information-sharing, and fostering stronger coordination among national authorities to effectively respond to transnational drug trafficking challenges.
Concluding the opening session, Mr. Dan Bahadur Karki, Inspector General of Police of Nepal, reaffirmed the country’s strong commitment to addressing the evolving challenges posed by drug trafficking, including the growing threat of synthetic drugs and opioids. He noted that trafficking patterns are becoming increasingly complex, with criminal networks exploiting technology and cross-border routes, posing significant challenges for law enforcement agencies. Emphasizing the importance of enhanced cooperation, he highlighted the value of strengthening information-sharing and operational coordination both within Nepal and with regional partners, particularly Bangladesh.
He further underscored the importance of joint training initiatives such as this programme in building mutual trust, enhancing technical capacities, and promoting coordinated responses to transnational drug trafficking, expressing confidence that the training would serve as a practical platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration.
Before the technical sessions began, representatives of the Nepal Police and Bangladesh’s Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) provided briefings on the drug situation in their respective countries, including recent seizures, operational experiences, best practices, and challenges in preventing the trafficking of dangerous substances. These presentations set the context for subsequent technical training, underscoring the importance of intelligence-led approaches and strengthened coordination among national authorities.
The technical sessions were delivered jointly by Mr. Fumio Ito and Mr. Sahil Sood, GRIDS Project Officer.
| Photo: Participants during the training using GRIDS intelligence tools and engaging in simulated exercises. |
On Day 1, Mr. Ito 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. Mr. Sood delivered a detailed module on the identification of NPS, including their chemical characteristics and health harms, and provided practical guidance on recognizing chemicals and basic equipment used in the manufacture of illicit fentanyls and other synthetic drugs.
On Day 2, Mr. Ito and Mr. Sood jointly led sessions on the IONICS communication platform and GRIDS Intelligence HD, guiding participants through data analysis, risk profiling, and intelligence-led operations. These sessions also included practical exercises, enabling participants to apply the tools in simulated scenarios and strengthen their understanding of operational workflows and intelligence-driven decision-making.
On Day 3, Mr. Sood 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 maintaining operational security and protecting investigators.
The training then progressed to practical exercises, including interactive case simulations, allowing participants to apply the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the programme in realistic operational scenarios.
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.
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).
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
