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1- Counterdrug Intelligence and Control of Narcotrafficking:

This component of the program aims to increase the capacity of counterdrug law enforcement officers in specialized techniques related to the gathering, development and analysis of strategic, operational and prospective intelligence, enhancing their ability to effectively investigate and dismantle drug trafficking criminal networks. Specialized training is conducted with the support of two regional schools that SRU/CICAD helped to establish:

• Regional Counterdrug Intelligence School of the Americas (ERCAIAD, for its Spanish acronym), based in Bogota, Colombia; and
• Regional Caribbean Counterdrug Intelligence Training School (RCITS), currently based in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

Regional Counterdrug Intelligence School of the Americas (ERCAIAD):

ERCAIAD, (Escuela Regional de la Comunidad Americana de Inteligencia Antidrogas) previously known as the Andean Regional Counterdrug Intelligence School, is a specialized center for academic and operational training in the anti-drug intelligence field, which has been successfully operating for over 15 years.

The School offers regional and national courses and training seminars on strategic, operational and prospective counterdrug intelligence analysis and investigations for member states in Latin America.

Through training held at the School’s headquarters and in all Spanish-speaking OAS member states, SRU/CICAD has supported the region to make significant improvements in increasing the quality and quantity of intelligence information gathered, analyzed, shared and effectively used in drug-trafficking investigations.

Regional Caribbean Counterdrug Intelligence Training School (RCITS):

The RCITS, based in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, provides specialized training to counterdrug officers in the various agencies in charge of drug control in the Caribbean. In partnership with RCITS, and through a participatory approach based on strategic alliances with key counterparts and stakeholders, SRU/CICAD provides specialized training to Caribbean member states, based on regional needs identified by the School’s national and regional advisory committees.

Fully aware of cultural and procedural differences among counterdrug law enforcement agencies (LEAs), and legal dissimilarities in Spanish/English speaking communities, SRU/CICAD devotes efforts to boosting horizontal cooperation to bridge the gap among Latin American and Caribbean member states, and strengthen cooperation between ERCAIAD and RCITS through a collaborative and integrated approach. Furthermore, SRU/CICAD supports the development and dissemination of guidelines and high quality training materials, as well as the creation of secure channels for timely and efficient information sharing.

2- Precursor Chemical/Synthetic Drugs and NPS Control:

The program aims to enhance member states’ capacity to safely and effectively monitor, detect, investigate, and control synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances (NPS), as well as their precursor chemicals. This includes the delivery of training and technical assistance for law enforcement and customs agencies, forensic laboratories, and precursor chemicals diversion investigators.

The Unit also supports member states to enhance their legal frameworks and better comply with international standards; to facilitate informed scheduling decisions; and to enhance cooperation in the identification and reporting of NPS, and other synthetic drugs.

3- Counterdrug Maritime and Port Narcotrafficking Control:

The program aims to increase the knowledge, skills and operational capacity of maritime authorities, law enforcement, customs and other agencies working in the maritime/port domain to investigate, detect and interdict maritime drug trafficking. In this regard, SRU/CICAD provides capacity building for customs personnel and port/airport authorities in risk analysis, internal conspiracy investigations, cargo and passenger profiling, and inspection of recreational vessels.

In collaboration with private sector efforts, SRU/CICAD also supports member states’ secure trade in the region, targeting the supply of illicit drugs by fostering cooperation between the public and private sectors; and securing the movement of cargo by enhancing supply chain controls. Training modules include the use of intelligence gathering, risk-based targeting, documentation analysis, and interagency cooperation.

4- Inter-American Program for Strengthening Gender Equality in Counterdrug Law Enforcement Agencies (GENLEA):

The Inter-American Program for Strengthening Gender Equality in Counter-Drug Law Enforcement Agencies (GENLEA) aims to strengthen member states’ capacities to dismantle criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking, by emphasizing gender mainstreaming as a factor that helps improve effectiveness of anti-drug intelligence operations. This program responds to the OAS Hemispheric Drug Strategy 2010, which requires policies and measures that address the world drug problem to take gender issues into account.

The program relies on promoting human rights and gender mainstreaming measures in OAS member states counter-drug law enforcement agencies (LEAs) in order to increase operational effectiveness, strengthen inclusion, enhance oversight, and maintain accountability and compliance with the most relevant international standards on the topic. This will be achieved by:

• Ensuring that women and men are involved in all stages of development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of drug policies and programs;
• Developing and disseminating gender-sensitive measures into all policies, programs and activities related to the world drug problem;
• Reducing internal and external barriers that don't allow women or men to have equal access for their professional development in drug law enforcement agencies.

Similarly, this initiative is aligned with the Outcome Document of the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on the World Drug Problem (UNGASS 2016) and the OAS Hemispheric Plan of Action on Drugs (2016-2020), which recommend the incorporation of a gender perspective into all stages of the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of drug policies and programs together with ensuring the involvement of women in said activities.

updated on 10/5/2018 2:17:35 PM