VIENNA, 26 JUNE (UNODC) - UNODC and the Albanian Government today opened the upgraded Vehicle Examination Facility at the Qafe Thana Border Crossing Point between Albania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. This is a major transit route between the two countries and into the European Union.
Inaugurated on the International Day against Illicit Trafficking and Drug Abuse, the improved facility will use state-of-the art detection tools to deter illicit drug trafficking through this crossing.
UNODC has also trained border-control and specialised anti-drugs officers in techniques to search vehicles and passengers. Mobile teams will monitor border crossing points, as well as remote areas along the so-called 'green border', with the aim of disrupting trafficking operations and seizing illicit drugs.
The project was funded by the Government of Italy. It also received help from the European Union Customs and Fiscal Assistance Mission to Albania. The new facility will be operated by a Joint Task Force of border police and customs officers.
