Tehran – The dedication and praiseworthy efforts of all member states have transformed the Shanghai Cooperation Agency (SCO) into a powerful institution, particularly in the fight against illegal drugs.
“To come together to strengthen our collective response to the challenge means that unity, not geography, defines our efforts in the fight against drugs,” Mehr’s news agency quoted Nalimani as saying.
Officials made their remarks while dealing with regular meetings of high-ranking anti-drug agency officials from SCO member states held on May 26th and 27th in Xi’an, China.
The situation in the region is becoming increasingly complicated in terms of cultivation, production, opiate trafficking, psychotropic substances and their precursor chemicals, and substance abuse, he added.
As opium cultivation and production decreases, it sometimes increases, in parallel with a decrease in opium production, and the production of psychotropic drugs such as methamphetamine increases.
However, the problem persists and remains strong. Decriminalization of drug-related crimes also made the situation worse and challenged the fight against drugs, Nalimani stressed.
Officials detailed the country’s successful measures to address illegal drug and drug trafficking, including the establishment of a community centre for the treatment of substance use disorders in 2019.
During the meeting, the results of the work group’s activities on anti-drug cooperation within the SCO were summarised and the issues of preparation for this year’s meeting of competent authorities in the upcoming drug-crowded SCO member states were discussed.
The tasks of this mechanism included the tasks of the Target Agency to support the development of medium-term drug programs and the experience in organizing illicit trafficking of drug drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors, organizing scientific and practical conferences, seminars, conferences and working sessions, and redeeming experience in related fields.
UNODC praises Iran’s efforts
The United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) praises the Iranian government for its substantial efforts and unshakable commitment to its drug trafficking efforts.
On December 8, 2024, UNODC Iranian country representative, Alexander Federov, attended a high-level meeting held at DCHQ when the seizure of 2,400 kilograms of methamphetamine was successful in Sistan Balusestan Province.
During the meeting, Brigadier General Ahmad Ali Gowdalj, commander of Iran’s Border Patrol, shared details of a major drug attack in Sistan Balusestan province.
On September 10, 2024, the Iranian military managed to seize 2,400 kilograms of methamphetamine. The operation highlighted the relentless commitment of Iranian border forces. Iran’s border forces are at the forefront of combating drug production and human trafficking, particularly those derived from Afghanistan.
Brigadier General Goudarzi emphasized that the attack reflects the escalating challenges posed by methamphetamine production in the region, as well as the dedication of Iranian border guards, law enforcement and customs officials in addressing the issue.
Federov, on his part, expressed his gratitude to the Iranian authorities for their valuable contributions to this global challenge.
Fedulov highlighted the importance of strengthening regional cooperation and the need for further international support to strengthen collective efforts to combat drug trafficking across West Asia.
Representatives from UNODC Country said the successful operation would be presented to the international community as evidence of Iran’s noble resolve in the fight against drug trafficking and dedication to regional security.
To enhance the operational capabilities of Iran’s anti-narcotics police, UNODC provided two medical devices, including portable Doppler sonography and veterinary anesthesia machines to support Iran’s drug supply reduction activities.
The line hosts an event on the DCHQ site in Tehran, with representatives from UNODC Iran, DCHQ and Iranian anti-drug police (ANP), announced in a reporter’s release on November 18, 2024.
Iran is one of the main transport routes for drug trafficking from Afghanistan to European countries. UNODC has built strong partnerships with the Islamic Republic government in several regions, including the capacity building of Iranian law enforcement forces, providing technical assistance to the Iranian government in the fight against illegal human trafficking of drugs and precursors.
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