Kathmandu, August 22: In response to the growing threat of drug trafficking in the country, 17 officers from Nepal Customs, the Narcotics Control Bureau, and Airport Police participated in a four-day anti-smuggling training workshop on illicit drug and precursor trafficking in Nagarkot.
Organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime (UNODC) under its Passenger and Cargo Control Programme (PCCP) with the support of the U.S. Government, the training aimed to strengthen the capacity of law enforcement officials to return to their posts with sharper skills, renewed confidence, and stronger inter-agency cooperation.
During the workshop, the officials learned the latest trends in drug trafficking across the region, risk management techniques, and exchanged insights to identify suspicious shipments without disrupting legitimate trade. They also received hands-on training with key detection tools like the UNODC drug and precursor test kit and the Handheld Narcotics Analyzer, which enable quick and accurate testing in the field to help officers make informed decisions.
Through simulated exercises in realistic scenarios, the training provided practical experience through simulated exercises, helping officers sharpen their skills in real-world scenarios. This workshop not only improved their ability to detect high-risk shipments but also strengthened cooperation between customs, narcotics officers, and airport police, reinforcing their crucial role as the first line of defense against drug trafficking.