Official Handover Ceremony at the Iranian Anti-Narcotics Police Canine Centre
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Tehran, 24 July 2024 – The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in the Islamic Republic of Iran, in an official ceremony, handed over 10 fully trained drug detecting dogs, specially modified canine trailers and ancillary supplies, procured under generous Japanese fund.
The trafficking routes affect many countries in region including Iran. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has established a robust partnership with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, focusing on capacity building for Iranian law enforcement agencies. UNODC provides technical assistance to Iran in its efforts to combat illicit drug trafficking and the smuggling of precursor chemicals. As part of these efforts, trained drug-detecting dogs will be deployed at border crossings and checkpoints with Afghanistan to conduct searches on trucks, containers, and cargos, passing through legal entry points. UNODC Iran, also provided training session for the Iranian ANP canine trainers, trained by international senior instructors, to use their knowledge during their daily work at border crossings to conduct search on vehicles, containers and cargos.
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The official event was organized at the Anti-Narcotics Police (ANP) Drug Detecting Dog centre (SAPKA) in Karaj, with the presence of H.E. Ambassador Tamaki Tsukada, Ambassador of Japan in Iran, as the representative of the Government of Japan, which has been supporting UNODC Iran activities on Drug Supply Reduction in the recent years.
These procurements were carried out under Sub-Programme 1 of the UNODC Country Partnership Programme (CPP) 2023-2026. The aim was to enhance the operational capacity of the Iranian Anti-Narcotics Police. The event was organized as part of the activities outlined in the framework of Sub-Programme1, specifically focusing on “Border Management and Illicit Trafficking”. This initiative is supported through generous funds, provided by the Government of Japan.
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During this ceremony, Mr. Alexander Fedulov, UNODC Country Representative in Iran, acknowledged the significant achievements of the Iranian Anti-Narcotics Police and their drug-detecting dog centre. He expressed readiness to offer further technical and procurement support upon availability of financial support from the donor countries.
H.E. Ambassador Tamaki Tsukada also referred to successful achievements of the Islamic Republic of Iran Anti-Narcotics Police and stated that the level of activities and seizures by Iran, at the frontline of fight against drugs, is very impressive. He also mentioned the willingness of the Government of Japan to continue support of the drug control activities in the Islamic Republic of Iran though UNODC Country Office in Iran.
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Brigadier General Barin, Deputy Head of the Iranian Anti-Narcotics Police, also acknowledged the technical support and procurements by the UNODC, as well as the generous financial support from the Government of Japan, and stated that as the problem of drugs is a global problem, it demands global efforts and support in order to be able to solve it. Brigadier General Barin further explained that Anti-Narcotics Police canine centre is responsible for considerable amount of the annual seizure of the whole country and use of drug detecting dogs is considered as a convenient method for identification of hidden concealments.
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For additional information please contact Sougand Babaei (Ms.)
National Programme Assistant, UNODC Country Office in the Islamic Republic of Iran
Tel.: +98 21 88 87 83 77, email: sougand.babaei@un.org