Land border and in-country transportation system control

Objective:

To enhance analytical and technical capabilities of relevant services to counteract drug dealing and drug trafficking through acquiring and introducing best EU knowledge and practices in drug enforcement and border management.

1. Need assessment at cross borders of the three countries;
2. Provision of first batch of search equipment at selected border crossing;
3. Provision of second batch of equipment;
4. Training on rummaging techniques and concealment methods
5. Training on risk assessment and drug and precursors identification;
6. Regional cross border cooperation seminar;

• As a result of the assessment mission of the EU Land Border expert a comprehensive report was prepared outlining equipment and training needs of 5 selected border check points;
• Technical capacity of the 5 selected check points improved through provision of specialized search equipment based on the recommendation of the expert. The delivered equipment included drug detectors, search tools, video endoscopes, investigator’s kits, document verification equipment, radio transceivers, drug tests. In the framework of BUMAD-3 the EU expert visited 5 selected border crossing points to confirm that delivered equipment is adequately distributed and used;
• 25 customs officers and border guards from 5 selected check points are trained in a workshop on risk profiling in the prevention of drug trafficking. A manual on risk assessment was created and distributed to the border guards and customs officers;
• Closer ties of Belarusian drug enforcement officers with their counterparts in Ukraine and Moldova are established through participation in a regional seminar on transborder Cooperation (Moldova 2006).

• Search and transportation equipment delivered;
• Search capability and operational cooperation between Customs and Border Guards officers was enhanced through training of 40 customs and border guards officers on risk analysis and rummaging techniques;
• Drug interdiction capacities of 10 land border posts in Ukraine enhanced through provision of drug search equipment and training of the personnel;
• Manual on rummaging techniques was prepared and distributed to the training participants;
• 15 senior Customs and Border Guards officers trained in best European practice on cross border cooperation during a regional seminar;

• Search and transportation equipment delivered;
• Search capability and operational cooperation between law enforcement agencies, including Customs, Police and Border Guards Services officers was enhanced through training of 25 customs and border guards officers on risk analysis and rummaging techniques;
• Drug interdiction capacities of 3 land border posts in Moldova enhanced through provision of drug search equipment and training of the personnel;
• Manual on rummaging techniques was prepared and distributed to the training participants;
• 15 senior Customs and Border Guards officers trained in best European practice on cross border cooperation during a regional seminar;
• Evaluation mission was postponed for BUMAD III in order to obtain better efficiency.

The project will provide training and equipment to border/customs staff responsible for the control of Belarusian, Moldovan and Ukrainian borders. The focus will be on the areas adjacent to border posts. This is caused by the upward tendency in number of attempts of drug trafficking beyond border posts at the borders which are still not demarcated. Also the transport system (rail way, road) will be assessed in terms of enhancing combating drug trafficking. Particular attention will be paid to large railway junctions, main rail way directions to neighbouring countries, main international highways, roads for movement of commercial vehicles, tracks. The target directions and locations are to be selected jointly by an EU expert and law enforcement agencies based on drug seizure statistics, and an analysis of probable drug trafficking routes. Equipment will be provided both for transport control at land borders (if not provided in the framework of BUMAD 1 and 2) and within the countries. Target beneficiaries will be the Customs and Border Guard Services, as well as the Ministry of Interior. The project will assess the procedure of controlled deliveries in the countries, needs for training and equipment.