United States and Indonesia Highlight Shared Commitment to Strengthen Border Law Enforcement Cooperation

On July 30, the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) highlighted ongoing cooperation to strengthen Border Law Enforcement cooperation, to include efforts to combat the trafficking of narcotics and other illicit goods. Under the project called Strengthening Integrated Border Management to Counter Illicit Trafficking Flows in Indonesia with its objective to strengthen identification/interception capacities and cooperation mechanisms at the operational level between National Border Posts in Indonesia to disrupt illicit trafficking flows, by providing technical assistance at both the policy and operational levels.

The event acknowledged the latest in a series of programs funded by the U.S. Office of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL), including a two-year $1 million program through UNODC, in partnership with the Republic of Indonesia’s National Narcotics Board (BNN), the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DGCE), and the National Border Management Agency (BNPP). 

At the event, INL donated five TruNarc handled drug analyzers to further support BNN and DGCE operations at the border posts. BNN Deputy of Legal Affairs and Cooperation, Police Inspector General Drs. Agus Irianto presented awards to INL and UNODC for their cooperation for the prevention and eradication of narcotics in Indonesia.  

INL Indonesia collaborated with UNODC, a 24-month project to enhance inter-agency collaboration within Indonesian institutions and strengthen frontline capacity to combat illicit activities.  Through the program, UNODC facilitated engagement between BNN, DGCE, and BNPP to enhance their respective capacity to prevent cross-border crimes.

Transnational crime in Southeast Asia is on the rise, and with it the need for cooperation between international partners. While maritime routes continue to be the primary method for smuggling illicit goods, cross-border smuggling continues to be an issue in Indonesia and around the world. Spanning 3,000 kilometers, managing land border crossings in Indonesia poses geographical and logistical challenges that cause authorities to continually work to prevent smuggling.

The TruNarc handheld narcotics analyzers are a narcotics detection tool that enables frontline authorities to identify more than 530 suspected controlled substances, to include scanning through plastic or glass to minimize contamination, reduce exposure, and preserve evidence.

For further information:
1. Nabiel Hayaza - UNODC Programme Specialist (+6281119205890)
2. Moja Siti Nurkalam - INL Programme Specialist (+6285280711040)