UNODC Country Representative met with the new Head of Anti Narcotic Police of the Islamic Republic of Iran
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Tehran, 22 June 2023 – Alexander Fedulov, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Iran Country Representative met with Brigadier General Iraj Kakavand, the newly appointed head of the Anti Narcotic Police of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and discussed the progress of current activities and prospect of joint cooperation and the way forward.
General Kakavand in his remarks referred to the different emerging trafficking methods used by drug traffickers, and the need for more support in the field of drug interdiction and supply reduction. He further mentioned requirements of the Anti Narcotic Police, among which the body scanners, drug trace detectors and drug detecting dogs were highlighted.
The significant increase in production of Methamphetamine in Afghanistan as an emerging global threat and position of Iran as a major transit country, neighboring Afghanistan, was also highlighted by Brigadier General Kakavand. He emphasized on the required technical support from UNODC to better tackle this problem.
UNODC Iran Country Representative provided a brief report on history of UNODC Iran cooperation with Anti Narcotics Police of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Through years, UNODC has been assisting the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran in drug supply reduction, through programme-based approach in skills improvement, by in-person and on-line trainings of experts from the Anti-Narcotics Police, Customs, and Airport Police in Iran. These training workshops aimed to enhance professional skills in intelligence analysis, backtracking investigation, air-cargo security and safety, urban field training and surveillance, illicit financial flows, controlled delivery, organized criminal groups and innovative methods for tracking precursor chemicals and precursors’ incidents investigation and diversion, as well as knowledge on new psychoactive substances. UNODC has also been focusing on continuous assistance in procurement of equipment and trained sniffing dogs for K9 service; procurement and installation of the body scanners and X-ray machines at a number of entry/exit points, which have been instrumental in seizures of remarkable amounts of illicit drugs.
He reiterated that UNODC Iran team, including himself, in the capacity of the Country Representative, are ready to fully support activities of the Iranian Anti Narcotic Police at national and international level. He expressed that he is highly aware of the requirements, though their procurement is dependent on availability of funds and supports from donor countries.
Other subjects, including cooperation under the Triangular Initiative (TI), activities under Joint Planning Cell and visits of international community from the permanent exhibition of the ANP was amongst the other topics discussed.
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For additional information please contact
Amir Hossein Vaziri (Mr.), Programme Associate.
UNODC Country Office in the Islamic Republic of Iran Tel.: +98 21 88 87 83- 77,
emails: Amirhossein.vaziri@un.org