6th International Conference on Drug Liaison Officers

Report

Mashhad, Iran, 5-7 February 2005

 

The Sixth International Conference of Drug Liaison Officers was held in Mashhad, I.R. Iran from 5 to 7th February, 2005. The Conference was jointly organized by the Drug Control Headquarters (DCHQ) of Iran, Anti-Narcotics Center of Iran and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Iran. The Conference was attended by delegates and drug liaison officers from Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Peoples Republic of China, France, Germany, Islamic Republic of Iran, Italy, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Norway, Poland, Qatar, South Africa, Republic of Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and Republic of Uzbekistan. The representatives of Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), UNODC also participated in the Conference.

 

2.         The Conference was inaugurated by Brigadier General Ahmad Reza Radan, the Commander-in-Chief of the Police of the Khorassan Province. He referred to the issue of rise in poppy cultivation in Afghanistan and new illicit drug trafficking trends. Mr. Roberto Arbitrio, UNODC Representative in Iran stressed on the need for the international cooperation as an essential element in region for the fight against drug trafficking as well as promotion of joint global actions to have the impact on drug control.

 

3.         Brigadier General Maleki was elected as Chairman and Colonel Rezrani as the Secretary of the Conference. Brig. Gen. Abuie, Head of Anti Narcotic Center of Iranian Police stressed the need for enhancement of present global cooperation for drug control. The drug control was highlighted as an issue that should be tackled independently from political considerations.

 

4.         The organizers of the Conference structured an agenda that facilitated an open discussion on the following topics:

 

  • Drug cultivation, production and stockpiling in Afghanistan. Status of the Eradication Campaign;

  • Overview of Drug Trafficking in the Region: Routes and Methods;

  • Trafficking in Precursors: Regional Trends and Patterns;

  • Intelligence sharing and the Role of the DLOs/FANC in the Region. Needs for proper Mechanism and Methodology;

  • Regional and International Cooperation in Drug Control.

 

5.         The representative of Drug Control Coordination Unit (DCCU) at Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) highlighted the achievements, ongoing activities and future strategies of DCCU to further intensify drug control cooperation in the region.

 

6.         Following are the recommendations of the Conference:

1.         Based on the recommendations put forth in previous conferences and with respect to the effective role of direct exchange of drug intelligence, the Conference emphasized the necessity for further developing direct exchange of intelligence between anti-narcotics police forces of regional countries and Drug Liaison Officers.

2.         The Conference stressed serious concern over the continuation of wide scale poppy and cannabis cultivation and trafficking of the Afghan police force, Counter Narcotics Police of Afghanistan (CNPA), Afghan Border Police and Customs through international support.

3.         The Conference voiced concern over continuation of the smuggling of Acetic Anhydride (AA) into Afghanistan from various international sources.

4.         Monthly exchange of address, phone, fax numbers and emails between DLO and drug control officers of regional countries is emphasized.

5.         UNODC presented its strategy for I.R. of Iran 2005-2007. The strategy is the result of a close consultation with relevant Iranian national counterparts and the Mini Dublin Group. The UK delegation, as chair of the Mini-Dublin Group in Iran, emphasized the fact that the UNODC strategy for Iran reflected a shared view of both Iranian authorities and the international community.

6.         Participants to the Conference agreed that the strategy elaborated by Iran, the Mini-Dublin Group and UNODC should be considered as a reference for both multi-lateral and bi-lateral assistance to Iran as envisaged in the Paris Pact recommendations.

7.         The Conference recommended UNODC Iran to make the necessary coordination and send a report on the recommendations of this conference to relevant international organizations.

8.         The regional DLOs expressed the necessity and importance of adopting a proper mechanism for timely exchange of intelligence and information with direct twenty four hour access to the law enforcement agencies.

9.         It was acknowledged that intelligence exchange relating to seizures, routing and use of essential precursors in the region declined in recent years. A commitment to improve this situation was agreed.

10.       The Conference acknowledged the drug related activities of DCCU in collaboration with UNODC and EU in the ECO region.

 

7.         In a separate meeting with UNODC it is agreed that a “Concept Paper” pertaining to DCCU Drug activities will be soon prepared by DCCU and UNODC which will be sent to Geneva for seeking the approval of Donor countries. On clearance, a project document will be prepared with the assistance of international drug experts for the financial assistance.

 

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