UNODC-WCO Global Container Control Programme donates two minibuses to Kyrgyz Customs Service

The donation ceremony was attended by Mr. Shamil Berdaliev, First Deputy Chairman of the Kyrgyz State Customs Service under the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, Mr. Batyr Geldiyev, UNODC Regional Programme Coordinator,Mr. Ryota Saito, Attache of the Japanese Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic and Mr. Alexey Krysanov, representative from the Export Control and Border Security programme of the U.S. Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic.

“Today’s handover intends to strengthen the work of the Port Control Unites in Bishkek and Osh cities”, said Shamil Berdaliev, First Deputy Chairman of the Kyrgyz State Customs Service. “These special unites were established to combat illicit drug trafficking and other criminal activities in Kyrgyzstan and the key purpose of minibuses is to strengthen the capacity of those units while conducting operations”.

According to Mr. Batyr Geldiyev, UNODC Regional Programme Coordinator: “Kyrgyzstan is a priority country for UNODC since it is on the frontline of the flow of Afghan opiates and have a key role to play in the fight against drugs in the region. We hope that provided assistance will support the State Customs Service in effective targeting of high risks consignments”.

“I believe the donated minibuses will have a positive impact on security in the Central Asian region, including the Kyrgyz Republic”, said Mr. Ryota Saito, Attache of the Japanese Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic on behalf of H.E. Mr. Yoshihiro Yamamura, Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary Ambassador of Japan to the Kyrgyz Republic.

Kyrgyz Sate Customs Service has acknowledged the valuable support of the UNODC and awarded the UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia with the letter of appreciation for fruitful cooperation, and UNODC staff with the medal for “Strengthening of customs cooperation” of the State Customs Service under the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic.

The Port Control Units were established in 2017 under the central Apparatus of the Kyrgyz Customs Service and South-West customs in Osh city aimed at systematically analyzing and profiling cargo / containers at increased risk to detect illicit drug trafficking and other illegal activities, at the same time facilitating legitimate trade.

Since Kyrgyzstan joined the Programme in December 2015, the UNODC-World Customs Organization (WCO) Global Container Control Programme (CCP) Regional Segment for Central Asia had conducted a number of training-courses for the Kyrgyz Customs officers strengthening their professional knowledge on profiling and suppressing high risk consignments, provided specialized equipment and access to secure communication system ContainerComm.

The handover ceremony conducted as part of the UNODC -World Customs Organization (WCO) Global Container Control Programme (CCP) Regional Segment for Central Asia funded by the Government of Japan, the U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and the Export Control and Border Security (EXBS) Program.