ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND CO-OPERATION IN EUROPE
Controlled delivery operations to combat drug trafficking were the focus of a weeklong training course offered by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) for 22 representatives of Turkmenistan’s law-enforcement bodies in July 2015.
Two international trainers addressed using delivery operations — which usually include informants — to widen the net to catch criminals. They discussed different forms of controlled delivery across land borders and methods of technical observation used in investigating narcotics trafficking.
“Transnational threats, especially related to organized crime, remain at the top of the agenda for the entire Central Asian region, including Turkmenistan,” said Richard Wheeler, political officer of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat. “Controlled delivery is increasingly used in cases when a consignment of illicit drugs is detected and allowed to go forward under the control and surveillance of law enforcement officers. This training will contribute to enhancing the capacity of officials from all relevant agencies to jointly counter drug trafficking.”
During the practical course, participants discussed recruiting confidential sources during drug investigations, methods and special tactics, as well as the role and importance of the Customs Office in conducting international operations. The course also highlighted examples of international operations of controlled deliveries and new trends in crime. Trainers emphasized practical exercises during which participants simulated a controlled delivery operation that included arresting a drug courier at the border and recruiting him as a cooperative informant to identify criminals behind the drug trafficking case.