OSCE training course in Turkmenistan addresses anti-drug trafficking operations
ASHGABAT, 30 July 2015 – Controlled delivery operations to combat drug trafficking were the focus of a week-long OSCE-organized training course for 22 representatives of Turkmenistan’s law-enforcement bodies, which ends in Ashgabat tomorrow.
Two international trainers addressed conducting controlled delivery operations, different forms of controlled delivery crossing land borders, methods of technical observation used in investigating the trafficking in illicit narcotics as well as their employment in controlled delivery operations.
“Transnational threats, especially related to organized crime, remain at the top of the agenda for the entire Central Asian region, including Turkmenistan,” said Richard Wheeler, Political Officer of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat. ”Controlled delivery is increasingly used in cases when a consignment of illicit drugs is detected and allowed to go forward under the control and surveillance of law enforcement officers. This training will contribute to enhancing the capacity of officials from all relevant agencies to jointly counter drug trafficking.”
During the practical course, participants discussed recruiting confidential sources during drug investigations, methods and special tactics as well as the role and importance of the Customs Office in conducting international operations of controlled delivery. The course also highlighted examples of international operations of controlled deliveries and new trends in criminal activities.
There was special emphasis on the practical exercise during which participants simulated a controlled delivery operation, which covered scenarios such as arresting a courier at the border, recruiting him as a cooperative defendant to continue the shipment in order to follow the criminal chain and identify criminals behind the drug trafficking case.