UNODC continues supporting operationalization and effective functioning of counter-narcotics Interagency Mobile Teams (IMTs) in Uzbekistan. Training on improving search, inspection and profiling skills was conducted for 43 law enforcement officers of the IMT groups. The officers participated in the training breaking in two groups from 30th July to 3rd August and from 6th to 10th August.
This training course continues the series of training courses for the officers of six IMT groups established by the Government of Uzbekistan all over the territory of the country with technical assistance from the UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia.
The IMT units are integrated into the national counter narcotics strategy and work to counter trafficking of narcotics into and through Uzbekistan especially along the vulnerable areas in close cooperation with the competent law enforcement agencies. IMTs and their coordinating structure - the Operations Coordination Team (OCT), are comprised of the officers of the State Security Service, the Ministry of Interior, the State Customs Committee and the National Information-Analytical Center on Drug Control under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The IMT units were launched and handed over vehicles and specialized equipment during the official ceremony on 25th June 2018 with participation of high-level officials from the Government of Uzbekistan.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Olim Narzullaev, the Director of the National Information-Analytical Center on Drug Control noted that "the implementation of the activities will contribute to a more effective resolution of the challenges facedbring tangible benefits to the Central Asian states and positively affect the well-being of the population of the region, their health and safety."
Mr. Yusuf Kurbonov, UNODC International Programme Coordinator, joined Mr. Narzullaev in expecting noticeable benefits from establishment of the Interagency Mobile Teams and added that "UNODC highly commends the commitment of all national stakeholders - the Ministry of Interior, the State Security Service, the State Customs Committee and the National Centre on Drug Control as the national coordinator, which showed their active interest in the component from the very start and provided their strong support at the highest level." Mr. Kurbonov also expressed gratitude to the Government of Japan for supporting the implementation of the activities.
The training sessions were held by psychologists and expert-profilers from Kazakhstan Ms. Lola Shakimova and Ms. Akmaral Abdukeeva, customs expert from Latvia Mr. Lauris Krivans and specialist of the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre for Combating Illicit Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and their Precursors (CARICC) Mr. Bakytbek Aytaly Uulu.
The first part of the training covered psychological aspects of profiling, psychological characteristics of the criminals, establishing psychological contact, methods of information extraction and conduct in complicated communicative situations.
These topics were supported by the sessions on development of risk profiles, preparation of analytical information with a risk profile of potential targets.
The training also covered operation principles of mobile teams, their equipment, and vehicle search/inspection methods.
The in-class sessions were complemented with practical and role-game exercises. The final day of the training was held in "Djartepa" border-crossing point on the Uzbek-Tajik border, where practical study drills were organized for the participants of the training on profiling and identification of potential traffickers and criminals both on pedestrian checkpoints and vehicle search lines.
According to the post-training evaluation, the overwhelming majority of the participants assessed the training as "excellent" in overall quality and organization. The participants showed high level of engagement and actively participated in the interactive sessions and hands-on exercises.
UNODC plans to conduct more training courses for the IMT officers on other aspects of their work.
Component on "Countering trafficking of Afghan narcotics in Uzbekistan through establishment if Interagency Mobile Teams" under the Sub-Programme 1 of the UNODC Programme for Central Asia (2015-2019) is funded by the Government of Japan.
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For more information
Please, contact Mr. Muzaffar Tilavov
National Project Officer, UNODC ROCA
E-mail: Muzaffar.tilavov[at]un.org
Tel.: 998 (71) 120-80-50
