Bangladesh: UNODC's cutting-edge tools boost law enforcement capacities and frontline resilience to counter the drug problem

Dhaka and Chittagong, Bangladesh/29 November 2023: According to the World Drug Report 2023, South Asian countries, including Bangladesh, have witnessed an upward trend in the quantities of seizures of heroin and morphine. Of particular concern is the influx of methamphetamine pills from the neighbouring South-East Asia region, presenting significant health and security risks to Bangladesh. In recent years, authorities have reported seizures of crystalline methamphetamine, a substance more potent than methamphetamine pills. Seizure data suggests that Bangladesh is the largest methamphetamine market in South Asia, underscoring the urgent need for effective countermeasures.

In this context, key national agencies—the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC), Bangladesh Customs and Criminal Investigation Department, Bangladesh Police--were provided with 120 precursor and drug testing kits to enhance capabilities in the identification and testing of illicit drugs and precursor chemicals.

This strategic effort was part of UNODC’s Global SMART Programme, supported by the US Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. UNODC Regional Representative for South Asia, Mr. Marco Teixeira formally handed over the kits to senior officials, in the presence of Mr. Abdul Wahab Bhuiyan, Director General of the DNC, and Mr. Tun Nay Soe, Interregional Programme Coordinator, Global SMART Forensic Programme, UNODC at a ceremony held in Dhaka.

The UNODC test kits, developed and produced by the Laboratory and Scientific Service, Division for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs will assist law enforcement officers with rapid and simple colour tests for the preliminary field identification of drugs and precursors, in cases of illicit trafficking.

Supplementing these cutting-edge identification kits, UNODC also trained frontline staff of the law enforcement agencies in Chittagong, underscoring the importance of professional efficiency and skills in addressing the drug problem. Through the training, frontline officers combating the illicit drugs threat in Bangladesh were equipped to rapidly identify illicit drugs and their precursor chemicals.

UNODC drug testing kits provide law enforcement personnel with the means to conduct on-site testing for illicit drugs, including narcotics such as opium and heroin as well as psychotropic substances like methamphetamine.

UNODC also produces precursor testing kits that help identify precursor chemicals used to manufacture drugs, such as ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, which are used to make methamphetamine.

With a combination of advanced technology, skills development, and international collaboration, this initiative represents a significant step toward a drug-free future for Bangladesh and the broader South Asian region.

This activity contributes to SDG 3, SDG 16 and SDG 17: https://sdg-tracker.org/

(Supported by US Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs)