In the fight against transnational drug trafficking, rapid and accurate detection is vital, especially for officials responsible for interdictions and securing borders. With support of US Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, UNODC handed over drug and precursor test kits to Nepal Customs, boosting frontline capacity to detect illicit substances through rapid, on-site testing. The kits enhance accuracy and speed in inspections, support evidence-based action, and strengthen Nepal’s efforts to counter transnational drug trafficking.
Marking the Nelson Mandela Day, UNODC, in collaboration with the Assam Prison Department and Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, built capacities of 50 prison staff, health experts and legal aid actors on promoting dignity, health, and rights in prisons. Emphasizing the implementation of Mandela Rules, with participants reaffirming their commitment to humane, rights-based prison management. One of the key highlights was a curated visual exhibit featuring stories and personal belongings donated by inmates. These tangible pieces of life behind bars humanized the experience of incarceration, challenging perceptions and calling for empathy and systemic change.
A four-day training in Colombo, organized by UNODC through its Passenger and Cargo Control Programme, equipped 20 officers from Sri Lanka Customs with knowledge and skills in illicit drug and precursor detection and interdiction. The discussions focused on emerging trade routes, smuggling methods and risk-based approaches. Participants also applied their newly acquired skills to real-world scenarios in a hands-on inspection session at the Colombo Postal Office. Ms. Julie Chung, the Ambassador of the United States to Sri Lanka and Mr. P.B.S.C. Nonis, Director General of Sri Lanka Customs addressed the officers.
UNODC, in partnership with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), brought together 15 representatives from key institutions for a hands-on workshop on data collection. Inaugurated by the Secretary of the NHRC, Mr. Murari Prasad Kharel, the workshop facilitated the development of a reliable and internationally comparable evidence base on trafficking in persons. Participants were familiarized with the International Classification for Administrative Data on Trafficking in Persons (IC-TIP), a framework developed to enable countries to collect, manage, and report data in a harmonized way.
At the Velana International Airport in the Maldives, an intensive nine-day Operational Readiness Preparation training equipped 15 customs officers with hands-on, real-time skills and daily operational mentoring to the Airport Control Unit (ACU), focusing on the interdiction of high-risk air cargo. ACU was also supported with critical tools such as TruNarc narcotics analyzers, drug and precursor testing kits, and upgraded IT infrastructure. In June, demonstrating the impact of capacity-building efforts, the Maldives Customs Service successfully seized 18.62 kilograms of cannabinoids valued at over USD 1.6 million, based on a targeted risk assessment conducted by the ACU.
24 senior officials from the national police anti-trafficking units of Bangladesh, Nepal, Maldives and Sri Lanka engaged in intensive deliberations on enhancing operational cooperation to counter trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants in South Asia. Participants engaged in peer-to-peer knowledge exchange around common challenges, effective countermeasures, evidence collection and coordinated investigations. The workshop culminated with the establishment of an informal regional network of police practitioners.
25 police inspectors from Dhaka were trained to better understand HIV, drug use, and gender-based violence. The training fostered empathy, addressed stigma and promoted respectful interaction with key populations, helping officers commit to more inclusive, rights-based policing in their communities.
A UNODC training empowered 14 Bangladesh Customs officers with practical skills to identify and counter insider threats in high-risk airport zones. Participants gained hands-on experience in aircraft inspections, improved risk profiling techniques, and enhanced coordination capabilities. The training explored real-world smuggling tactics used by rogue insiders and effective legal responses. A hands-on practical session at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport enabled officers to conduct enforcement activities in air cargo and apron areas.
Targeted educational interventions can enable young people in building values and resilience to navigate risks and choose positive paths. Recognizing this, UNODC’s RiseUp4Peace initiative is working with educators and students to create safer, more inclusive learning environments. The initiative builds capacities of educators, empowers young people with tools to understand emerging risks and nudges schools to foster peace, inclusion, and lawfulness through everyday actions.
Nepal: Building law enforcement knowledge and field forensic skills to counter wildlife crime
The UNODC Global Programme on Crimes that Affect the Environment (GPCAE) trained 17 officials from Nepal and Sri Lanka on crime scene management and species identification at Dhulikhel. Representatives from the Nepal Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC), Nepal Police, Sri Lanka Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC), Customs, Sri Lanka Customs, Sri Lanka National Zoological Gardens and Sri Lanka Coast Guard joined the training. Through a mix of technical sessions and hands-on exercises, participants enhanced their knowledge on forensic sampling, digital evidence collection, endoscope examination and risk assessment during wildlife seizures. Practical scenarios included vehicle and controlled delivery searches, DNA sample collection, and analysis of wildlife trafficking case studies.
(Supported by the
US Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs)
News in Brief
Sri Lanka/Maldives: Advancing efforts to counter synthetic drugs
UNODC engaged senior officials in Sri Lanka and Maldives to address challenges in tackling synthetic drugs and chemical precursors. Discussions focused on emerging trends and trafficking patterns, innovative detection and investigative tools and interagency coordination. Experts also explored the growing links between synthetic drug trafficking and illicit financial flows, underlining the transnational nature of the threat.
Bangladesh: Fostering national coordination to combat migrant smuggling
The Ministry of Home Affairs held an expert meeting in Dhaka to address policy gaps in combating the smuggling of migrants (SOM) in Bangladesh. UNODC presented key findings from the Strategic Paper for Policy Consideration towards a National Response to the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air in Bangladesh. Officials discussed legal frameworks, emerging trends, and the need for coordinated national responses.
Bangladesh: Marking a decade of action to enhance cargo and passenger control
A high-level Steering Committee meeting in Dhaka reviewed the decade-long progress of the UNODC-Bangladesh Customs partnership under PCCP. From one to four control units, the programme has strengthened frontline interdiction through training, equipment, and strategic capacity-building support.
Nepal: Promoting public awareness and action on World Day against Trafficking in Persons
Human trafficking is organized crime. Observing the World Day against Trafficking in Persons, UNODC joined stakeholders in Madesh, Nepal, to advance prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnership. The effort was part of EU-supported action against trafficking in South Asia.
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Our Partners
Our activities in South Asia are possible
due to the generous support of:
Australia
Canada
European Union
Germany
India
Japan
Joint UN Program Fund
Norway
Sweden
Portugal
United Kingdom
United States of America
UBRAF/UNAIDS
Government Partners:
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Maldives
Nepal
Sri Lanka
Call for Partnerships:
Impacting Lives with Innovation
Advancing Crime Prevention, Justice and Health in South AsiaUNODC Regional Office for South Asia has developed a wide range of projects and initiatives on the following thematic areas:
-Building law enforcement capacities against drugs and organised crime
-Addressing drug use and HIV/AIDS -Enhancing multi-stakeholder responses to counter Trafficking in Persons -Engaging young people and educators on crime prevention, integrity, Global Goals and peace with educational interventions
-Promoting family skills to reduce risky behaviours among young people -Countering corruption -Addressing Gender-based Violence
-Strengthening responses to prevent and counter wildlife crime
-Countering cybercrime and promoting online safety
We seek activesupport to enable the implementation of these programs and to scale-up efforts to promote security, justice and health among vulnerable groups in South Asia. Our partnerships aim at building national and regional alliances on our mandates, which are closely linked to national, regional and global priorities as well as the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. Let's join hands to enable and aid large-scale and impactful initiatives that help people lead safer and healthier lives . Your support can make all the difference!
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) assists Member States in their efforts to combat illicit drugs and international crime. Over the past two decades, the UNODC Regional Office for South Asia(ROSA) has been working with governments and civil society in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka, providing specialized assistance to address challenges pertaining to drugs, organised crime, security, justice and health. The commitment to Sustainable Development Goals, human rights and the rule of law is at the core of our mandate.
Contact Us
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Email: samarth.pathak@un.org
