Hanoi, Viet Nam, 11-13 May 2026
Photo 1: Official handover and inauguration ceremony of the National Targeting Center (NTC) including representatives from INL and the DEA
The International Narcotics Control Board’s (INCB) Global Rapid Interdiction of Dangerous Substances (GRIDS) Programme in coordination with the United States Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) supported the official handover and operationalization of the new National Targeting Center (NTC) within the Department of Viet Nam Customs, alongside a two-day advanced training workshop on intelligence-led targeting and interdiction techniques.
The official handover ceremony was opened by the Deputy Chief of Office of the Department of Viet Nam Customs (DVC), Ms. Nguyen Thi Viet Nga, and Mr. Ryan McKean, INL Viet Nam Director from the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi, and was attended by representatives from the DVC, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and INCB GRIDS Programme. During her opening remarks, Ms. Nga highlighted that the “NTC operations mark an important milestone, contributing to enhanced effectiveness in risk analysis and priority targeting related to narcotics and other dangerous substances within Vietnam Customs”. Mr. McKean emphasized that “this is one of several meaningful programs that INL has been honoured to support in recent years”.
The GRIDS Programme aims to support law enforcement and regulatory agencies worldwide in identifying and dismantling criminal organizations through risk profiling, detection of modus operandi, and secure targeting information exchange to initiate and support investigations into the trafficking of dangerous substances (namely new psychoactive substances (NPS), non-medical synthetic opioids, and related precursors). The NTC will serve as a central hub for monitoring, analyzing, and targeting synthetic drug trafficking and related illicit activities, enhancing early detection and interdiction capabilities for dangerous substances being imported into Viet Nam for distribution regional and globally.
Photo 2. GRIDS RTO training participants on operating the advanced tools found within the National Targeting Center.
After the initial ceremony, all delegates were invited into the targeting center and given a real-time demonstration of all the INCB Intelligence-led tools that power the targeting center by Mr. Aleksander Piecyk, GRIDS Regional Technical Officer (RTO) for East and Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
As part of the handover, Viet Nam Customs officers also completed a two-day advanced training workshop focused on comprehensive end-to-end targeting techniques, secure intelligence exchange via the IONICS platform, risk profiling, trend analysis, and real-time monitoring of incident trafficking routes using GRIDS intelligence HD. The training built on the 3-day hands-on training in November 2025 and allowed the six nominated officers to use the full range of tools found within the targeting centre.
The session continued with a practical exercise using real-life case information related to Viet Nam from incidents uploaded in IONICS platform and vendors targeting both Viet Nam and the United States found in SNOOP. The participants had the chance to use the INCB’s suite intelligence tools in the NTC in combination with Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) methods and Operational Security (OPSEC) fundamentals to identify leads and develop connections between suspected pieces of information. Representatives from the U.S. DEA attended the event and were able to meet with the trained officers to discuss vendors that had been identified using the SNOOP platform during the advanced training selling next generation synthetic opioids to both Viet Nam and the United States. A secure communication package was shared, and an investigation has been launched.
Photo 3. Deputy Chief of Office for Dept. of Viet Nam Customs and INCB GRIDS Programme RTO for East, Southeast Asia and the Pacific formally sign over the equipment for the NTC
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 Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, Department of State, U.S. Government.
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
