UNODC strengthens the capacities of law enforcement officers in South-Eastern Europe on X-ray detection of threats and illicit goods

 

12-13 December 2024, in Belgrade, Serbia -  The UNODC Passenger and Cargo Control Programme (PCCP) organized the first capacity-building activity within the second phase of the EU and UNODC Joint Action Promoting Rule of Law and Good Governance through targeted Border Control Measures at Ports and Airports in South-Eastern Europe 2024 – 2027. With the aim to further strengthen the capacities of the PCCP interagency units at Sarajevo, Belgrade and Skopje international airports, UNODC provided specialized training to a selected group of officers in the form of a Train the Trainers (ToT) course on X-ray detection of threats and illicit goods in air passenger bags, mail and parcels, and air cargo, including firearms, explosives and improvised explosive devices, narcotics, currency, tobacco, protected species and other contraband for air border screening operations.

The 2-day TOT course captured the most relevant topics to enhance detection performance in X-ray screening, such as but not limited to X-ray systems basics, density in X-ray images, methodology for threat identification, concealment methods, and X-ray image analysis. The targeted sessions included modules and practical exercises on the importance of training and the role of the trainers. Furthermore, UNODC provided annual licenses for recurring remote training for the trainers to continue and sustain the knowledge gained during the basic course and the ToT as well as to train other law enforcement officers/members of the PCCP interagency units via the remote training modules.

This training was delivered within the EU-UNODC joint action on enhanced border control in South-Eastern Europe, implemented by the UNODC Passenger and Cargo Control Programme (PCCP) in cooperation with the UNODC Regional Office for South Eastern Europe and funded by the European Union. The overall objective of the Action is to enhance the capacities of authorities in the Western Balkans to fight organised crime, by supporting more effective and coordinated responses to illicit trafficking by border law enforcement at land and seaport border crossing points and international airports in the region.