Transnational Organised Crime: A Global Threat

Transnational organized crime is considered to be a changing and flexible phenomenon. While on

one hand globalization has triggered easier and faster communication, movement of finances
and international travel, it has also created opportunities for criminal groups to flourish, diversify
and expand their activities. Organized crime today affects all States, whether as countries of
supply, transit or demand. As criminal networks span the globe, efforts to combat them must
likewise cross borders so as to ensure that organized crime networks do not simply divert their
activities to countries or regions where weak cooperation means weak criminal justice responses.
UNODC's Response: Strengthening Systems
UNODC promotes effective responses to transnational organized crime and illicit trafficking in
South Asia by facilitating the implementation of the relevant United Nations conventions at
normative and operational levels. Most Member States in the region are parties to the main
international instruments on organized crime and illicit trafficking but lack the capacity of its
meaningful implementation. UNODC intends to support Member States in enhancing the
capacities of their law enforcement entities to better prevent and address transnational
organized crime and illicit trafficking of persons, counterfeits and goods.
UNODC works closely with global programme experts to build national, regional and
transnational initiatives to confront organized crime. Technical capacity building and technical
assistance are geared towards all aspects of strengthening the rule of law, working with law
enforcement authorities, prosecutors, judges and other related actors in countries and across
regions where the convergence of drugs, trafficking in firearms, crime, corruption and terrorism
threatens stability and security. Working with Member States in South Asia, UNODC seeks to
foster good governance, robust criminal justice systems, security sector reform and, indirectly,
socio-economic development through strengthening capacity to confront and defeat transnational
organized crime. The Office supports Member States in building their capacities to prosecute
organized crime by providing legal and technical assistance: to encourage crime prevention
strategies, investigation and prosecution, as well as training of staff of the law enforcement
agencies, prosecutorial offices, financial intelligence units and other related officials, promote and
strengthen international cooperation and coordination between law enforcement, judicial
practitioners and other relevant actors through a variety of mechanisms, including through
regional and inter-region networks and the development of software tools and databases to
share information.
Initiatives include support for the proper collection and analysis of criminal intelligence, including
new modalities of international cooperation; and provide a range of tools and resources to assist
Member States in their efforts to prevent and combat organized crime, helping relevant officials
to more effectively and efficiently do their work, with better understanding of the issues in light
 of international good practice and applicable human rights standards. International cooperation
in criminal matters for mutual legal assistance (MLA), extradition and confiscation of proceeds of
crime is an important tool for prosecutions for all types of organized and serious crime when
effectively and efficiently undertaken. UNODC provides technical assistance in this area, including
through the establishment of regional networks aimed at supporting more effective prosecutions,
each tailored to the specific needs of the region.

Snapshot from the Regional Programme for South Asia (2018-2021)

The Regional Programme for South Asia (2018-2021) has been developed to respond to the
challenges faced by the region about the rule-of-law and public health as encompassed by the
UNODC mandates at large and to move towards a regionally based programme with a long-term
objective to improve situations at a regional level by addressing both national and regional needs
and priorities. It outlines a coherent framework of activities with outcomes that meet the priority
needs and expectations of South Asian countries and their regional organizations.
The Regional Programme seeks to expand and diversify UNODC's current work programme in
South Asia into a broader programme, which encompasses critical elements of crime prevention
and the rule-of law at national, regional and inter-regional level keeping in mind the nature and
scope of identified problems by the Governments in the region. It also aims at visualizing and
introducing the cross-border dimension of the challenges, which require regional and/or inter-
regional responses. The Regional Programme emphasizes the adoption of instruments needed for
regional progress, making use of existing regional mechanisms such as SAARC and BIMSTEC.
The UNODC Regional Programme for South Asia is grounded in the following principles:
 Ownership and participatory process: Governments, regional bodies and other
stakeholders are regularly consulted on priorities, programme implementation and
required changes through a Programme Steering and Policy Coordination
Committee (PSPCC ). Priorities of the Regional Programme are aligned with national
and regional policies and priorities.
 Coherence: The Regional Programme reflects the entire action by UNODC in the
region through national, regional and global activities using global knowledge
products developed by UNODC as well as best practices.
 Programmatic and results ‐ focused: The Regional Programme intends to
achieve results over the long term in support of sustainable changes in line with
international, regional and national commitments on the rule of law and public
health matters related to UNODC's mandates.
 Building Partnerships: The Regional Programme serves as an advocacy tool
which seeks to reinforce existing and create new partnerships with national,
 regional and international and multi-lateral partners for its full-fledged
implementation and funding.
 Cross-cutting issues: the Regional Programme seeks to fully apply cross-cutting
mandates, such as gender-sensitive and human rights-based approaches.
 Locale specific and tailor-made interventions: The Regional Programme will
also implement specialised 'tailor made' activities and programmes to address
country specific requirements and needs. For instance, in a vast country like India,
with 29 States and 7 Union Territories, the approach will also include working
closely with State governments to address key challenges posed by drugs and
crime.
Combating Organised Crime: UNODC at the Forefront
Undertaking a Transnational Organized Crime Threat Assessment (TOCTA):

In light of the challenges and threats mentioned earlier in the document and with an aim to
generate evidence on transnational organised crime, UNODC aims to undertake a TOCTA for
South Asia. Drawing on official statistics and relevant literature (where available), in addition to
valuable input and anecdotal evidence from stakeholders and local, regional and global experts,
the primary aims of this threat assessment will be to:
(i) Outline the main transnational organized crimes, their scale, trends and underlying
mechanisms (i.e., who, how, what, where, when) impacting Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal,
Maldives and Sri Lanka;
(ii) Identify key knowledge, data and resource gaps that preclude the detection and monitoring
of various illegal markets impacting the South Asia region; and
(iii) Formulate recommendations to enhance the quality, accuracy, reliability, representation,
timeliness and quantity of data collected to augment the capacity of South Asian countries to
detect, monitor and prevent transnational organized crimes.
The TOCTA will be undertaken under the guidance and expertise of the Research and Analysis
Branch of UNODC.
Strengthening Criminal Intelligence Sharing:
Under the Regional Programme, UNODC aims to reinvigorate the initiative to develop the South
Asian Regional (Criminal) Intelligence and Coordination Centre on Transnational Organized Crime
(SARICC-TOC), which is aimed to establish a mechanism for regional information sharing and
coordination, following previously established models and best practices of UNODC. This will be
implemented in close cooperation and substantive guidance of the Organized Crime
Branch/Implementation Support Section/Division of Treaty Affairs, Vienna. Steps to establish the
SARICC network were first taken in 2015 through holding of two regional expert group meetings
followed by a high-level meeting of senior interlocutors in November 2017 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The renewed strategy for SARICC includes a 'fresh' engagement with the governments of the
region at the highest levels. ROSA foresees SARICC as a basis for enhanced cooperation,
improved communication, coordination and information sharing between law enforcement
agencies of South Asia.
UNODC-WCO Container Control Programme (CCP) and CCP Air Cargo
Programme:

Containers form an integral part of the international trade supply chain. Therefore, there is an
urgent need to minimize the risk of containers being exploited and used for illicit drug trafficking,
transnational organized crime and other forms of black-market activity.
Both global initiatives the UNODC-WCO Container Control Programme and the CCP Air Cargo
Programme assist Governments to establish sustainable enforcement structures in selected sea
ports, (container) dry ports and airports by creating specialized trained Units. The CCP, a joint
initiative of UNODC and the World Customs Organization (WCO) will set up additional Port
Control Units (PCUs) and Air Cargo Control Units (ACCUs) in South Asia and continue building
strategic alliances between Customs, police, trade and other relevant bodies to prevent criminal
organizations from abusing legitimate commercial trade. At the global level, the CCP supports
enhanced collection, standardization and reporting of data on container crime for use in strategic
analysis and information-sharing. Results of the CCP 'Fishnet' initiative, implemented in 2017 in
the region and focussing on the fight against transnational crime in illegal fishing, document
fraud, drug trafficking and money laundering, will be followed up in the wake of mentoring visits.
Global Firearms Programme (GFP)
The illicit trafficking and misuse of firearms is intrinsically linked to criminal organizations and
networks: as facilitators of violent crimes, as tools to perpetrate power, and as lucrative
trafficking commodities, that fuels armed conflicts, crime and insecurity. Oftentimes, different
forms of criminality are intertwined, such as human, firearms and drugs trafficking. Closely
linked is also the challenges relating to floating armouries.
UNODC GFP provides support to Member States, upon request, for legislative development, for
strengthening the criminal justice systems to detect, investigate and prosecute firearms
offences, facilitates international cooperation and information exchanges, and provides technical
support for implementation of preventive and control measures related to marking, record-
keeping, seizure, collection and disposal of firearms.
In 2016-2017 the Global Firearms Programme received several requests for assistance from
countries in Asia to support activities at national and regional levels. India requested assistance
to address the problem of floating armouries on high sea. Sri Lanka approached UNODC and
requested support for the accession to the Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and
Trafficking in Firearms, their Parts and Components and Ammunition (Firearms Protocol). UNODC
will assist countries from South Asia in their efforts to adhere to and implement the UN Firearms
Protocol.
Maritime Crime Programme
South Asia is surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the world's third largest body of water which
covers about one fifth of the world's total ocean area, providing critical sea routes that connect
the Middle East, Africa and South Asia with the Asian continent to the east and Europe to the
west. Acts of piracy in the region threaten maritime security by endangering, in particular, the
welfare of seafarers and the security of navigation and commerce. These criminal acts may result
in the loss of life, physical harm or hostage-taking of seafarers, significant disruptions to
commerce and navigation, financial losses to ship owners, increased insurance premiums and
security costs, increased costs to consumers and producers, and damage to the marine
environment.
Given the importance of the Indian Ocean as the critical maritime space for sea lanes of
communication between east and west, attention needs to be focused on better addressing these
issues and assert rule of law at sea. The jurisdictional authorities of a country over the high seas
is prescribed by the Law of the Sea Convention and, as new issues emerge, littoral states need
to define solutions within the framework of international maritime law. The trafficking of Afghan
opiates along the "Southern Route" from the Makran Coast to the East African coast and South
Asia has increased significantly. The key attraction of the southern route for narcotics trafficking
is the lack of enforcement capacity on the high seas.
Due to the unique nature of the high seas--falling outside the jurisdiction of any single State, but
within the collective responsibility of all--a coordinated and comprehensive approach must be
taken to tackle crimes both occurring at sea and being carried out through the use of the
maritime domain. This includes interrupting criminal activities at sea, strengthening domestic
maritime law-enforcement capacity, and addressing the root causes of maritime crime on land.
The opening of a programme office in Sri Lanka in 2017 under the Global Maritime Crime
Programme (GMCP), opened new vistas for programming in South Asia. Further expansion of the
maritime crime programme in Sri Lanka from 2018 would be instrumental in widening South Asia
responses to countering maritime crime. The MCP in Sri Lanka will be a catalyst to expand the
maritime crime programme activities, especially for strengthening the responses of the marine
police, island security and detection capabilities in countries of the region. Counter-piracy
initiatives will be undertaken in close consultation with the UNODC anti-piracy programme based
in Kenya. The South Asian countries vulnerable to piracy, in particular the Maldives and Sri
Lanka, can be provided with legal advice for drafting/improving maritime laws and technical
assistance for confronting the challenges of piracy.
Border management
Under the new regional framework, border control mechanisms will be strengthened to address
and counter illicit trafficking including human trafficking and drug trafficking at the borders of
India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal. UNODC seeks to assist countries in strengthening
individual capacities and regional and inter-regional cooperation in border management and
information exchange by using alert mechanisms and, where possible, regional intelligence and
information sharing through SARICC-TOC. UNODC's positive experience gained in recent years in
South East Asia of Border Liaison Offices (BLOs) will also be extended to South Asia with the
creation of a BLO mechanism at the border of Bangladesh and Myanmar. This will be done
closely in cooperation with the UNODC Regional Office for Southeast Asia.
Further, assistance can be made available towards more effective controls and information
exchange over travel and identity documents and other practices, gradually moving towards joint
investigation capabilities. The focus areas include: (i) proper and effective control in the region of
travel and identity documents (including timely exchange of information at regional level); (ii)
enhancement and sharing of criminal intelligence at national/regional level able to prepare and
use serious organized crime threats assessments; (iii) training of staff/officials to operate within
anti-transnational organised crime units and improve operational ability to use special
investigative techniques.
Cybercrime
As cybercrime is transnational in character, inconsistency of laws and regulations across country
borders make it especially difficult for countries to cooperate when investigating cybercrime. The
scale of cybercrime makes it critical for governments to have a robust cyber security ecosystem
in place to reduce threats and enhance confidence in using electronic communications and
services. However, there is still an evident gap between countries of the region in terms of
awareness, understanding, knowledge and finally capacity to deploy the proper strategies,
capabilities and programmes to ensure a safe and appropriate use of ICTs as enablers for
economic development. According to the Cyber Security Index (2017) of the International
Telecommunication Union (ITU), Bhutan, Nepal and Maldives are in the 'initiating stage' wherein
they have started to make commitments to cyber security; Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka are
in the 'maturing stage' and have developed complex commitments and engage in cyber security
programmes and initiatives.
Online radicalization is one of the emerging problems being faced by sovereign nations today. Of
late, the use of the internet to promote, propagate and implement radicalized thought processes
is constantly increasing. The advent of online radicalization has brought to the forefront, various
complicated legal, policy and regulatory issues which need to be addressed around the world.
Building capacity to enable easier, quicker, more effective cooperation is a vitally important
countermeasure.
As digital technologies become more accessible, countering cybercrime must become a normal
part of the crime prevention narrative. Special areas of focus revolve around promoting cyber
safety amongst women, children and youth, preventing online sexual exploitation, darknet
market awareness and countering the misuse of cryptocurrencies. The Regional Office for South
Asia aims to capitalize on the rich technical expertise available in India as well as the global
knowledge products and international best practices developed and supported by UNODC during
2017 and beyond. Adequate expertise from UNODC's global programme will be tapped for this
purpose.
The expertise and knowledge base of UNODC with respect to cybercrime will focus on ensuring
sustainable and long-term capacity building, conducting needs analysis within the region,
identifying key national priorities for action, assisting Member States in legislative drafting and
adoption of adequate legislation based on their specific demands; building operational and
institutional capacity of law enforcement and judicial bodies; mobilizing and raising awareness
among communities and civil society. The primary partner institutions would be the police and
criminal justice agencies from the region.
Wildlife, forest and fisheries crime (WLFC)
In close cooperation with the global programme for WLFC, more programming opportunities is
being explored for South Asia. With regard to wildlife, forest and fisheries crime, UNODC
provides assistance in strengthening the capacity of Governments to investigate, prosecute and
adjudicate crimes against protected species of wild flora and fauna, complementing other
international legal frameworks dealing with environmental protection.
Strengthening activities under SAWEN (South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network) is being
explored. UNODC global programme for WLFC will also deliver a series of regional workshops in
cooperation with the US Department of Justice for prosecutors and investigators on effective
tools to increase investigative capacity and strengthen regional cooperation. Further, a more
comprehensive in-country assistance will be provided in Nepal in support of the Toolkit
recommendations.
With respect to fisheries crime, targeted activities will be implemented in Sri Lanka and possibly
the Maldives in 2018-2019.
Anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism
Combating terrorist financing is emerging as an extremely important area globally and in
particular for developing countries of South Asia. Terrorists constantly adapt how and where they
move their funds to circumvent safeguards that countries have put in place. Though the issue of
foreign terrorist fighters (FTF) is not a new phenomenon, the recent scale of the issue in relation
to the conflict in Syria and Iraq is disturbing. FTFs are now considered one of the main forms of
material support to terrorist groups. Cash is still widely used in the criminal economy. The
physical transportation of cash across international borders is one of the oldest forms of money
laundering (ML) and is still widely used today - criminals and terrorists remove their illicit assets
from the banking system as cash, transport it to another country and then spend it or
reintroduce it into the banking system. Simultaneously, rapidly developing new technologies
have introduced a widening variety of new terrorist financing (TF) vulnerabilities. The broad
reach and anonymity associated with social media and new payment methods makes these more
and more attractive tools for terrorists and terrorist organisations to use in their financial
activities.
One of the key requirements of the FATF (Financial Action Task Force) Recommendations for
countries is to identify, assess and understand the money laundering and terrorist financing risks
that they are exposed to. Once these risks are properly understood, countries will be able to
implement measures that mitigate these risks. Hence, it is very important to raise awareness
with countries and financial institutions on the new terrorist financing sources and the methods
that terrorist used to manage their assets. Improving understanding on how a terrorist
organisation raises, moves and uses its funds is critical to the choking of the funds and to
disrupting their atrocities.
UNODC assists Member States in a variety of ways to develop sound anti-money laundering and
countering of terrorism financing (AML/CFT) regimes. This includes developing or strengthening
legislation to criminalize the laundering of the proceeds of crime and to comply with other FATF
standards, training of officials, and increasing the ability to identify and interdict cross-border
transportation of illegal cash or other negotiable instruments. While all South Asia countries have
established financial intelligence units (FIUs), improving their capacities and strengthening of
regional cooperation and coordination remains a leading concern.

The UNODC Regional Office for South Asia assists Member States in their struggle to combat
illicit drugs and international crime. Over the past two decades, UNODC has been working with
governments and people in the region to provide specialized assistance on challenges pertaining
to transnational organised crime, security, justice and health. The commitment to Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs), human rights and the rule of law is at the core of UNODC's
mandate.

UNODC delivers technical interventions aimed at promoting security, justice and health, which
are linked to national priorities as well as the achievement of SDGs. This is done through
targeted technical cooperation projects that are gender and youth responsive, human rights-
based, and evidence-informed. UNODC also works towards facilitating the ratification and
 implementation of the relevant UN conventions, standards and norms, generating and
exchanging comparative data and information, promoting cross-border consultations and
cooperation and ensuring access to technical expertise, global knowledge products and best
international practices. The UNODC comparative advantage lies in its neutrality to address the
most complex and sensitive challenges affecting the region. The cross-cutting principle of "leave
no one behind" is at the crux of all our efforts.
Broadly, UNODC's work involves:
 Evidence-based research and threat-impact assessments
 Training and capacity building initiatives
 Community-level interventions
 Exchange of global expertise and successes in customised local frameworks
 Strategic outreach with Governments and key stakeholders
 Policy advocacy
 Implementation of technical innovations to counter crime
 Public awareness campaigns
The activities of UNODC are grounded on a series of international instruments for which the
Office acts as the worldwide guardian and advocate. They include the three international drug
conventions, the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), the UN Convention against
Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and its Protocols, the conventions and protocols against
terrorism, and the UN Standards and Norms in Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.
In addition, building dialogue and engagement with a broad spectrum of national and regional
stakeholders, including civil society organizations, regional bodies (like the SAARC Secretariat,
Bali process, the Colombo Plan, BIMSTEC and ASEAN) academic and research institutions, think
tanks and UN agencies remains a critical area of focus.

Since UNODC is a technical agency, contributions from external partners form a core funding
base for our work. UNODC's partnerships typically involve building mutually beneficial national
and regional alliances by aligning the partner's philanthropic, strategic and branding focus with
UNODC's core mandate areas. UNODC Regional Office for South Asia maintains an ongoing,
substantive dialogue with the Governments, civil society, UN agencies, bilateral and multilateral
organizations, corporate sector, academia and media.
Over the past few years, South Asian countries have witnessed accelerated economic and social
progress by spearheading efforts to meet the sustainable development goals and address
conflicts and crisis. However, the region continues to face profound challenges to the rule of law
and human security, in the wake of newly emerging forms of organized crime. This, coupled with
inadequate governance, weak criminal justice institutions and corruption, threaten peace and
 development in the region. South Asia today comprises about 1.89 billion people, or about one
fourth of the world's population, making it both the most populous and the most densely
populated geographical region in the world. Overall, it accounts for over 24% of the world's
population. South Asia is also home to the largest share of the world's youth, with 48 percent of
its population below the age of 24. Clearly, the achievement of sustainable development goals,
and the realization of global peace and security is not possible until the challenges facing South
Asia are holistically addressed.
Many of these challenges directly relate to UNODC's mandate areas. Drug production and
trafficking have become more complex as drug markets in the region are evolving and now
include an increasing number of drugs, ranging from both natural and synthetic opiates,
Amphetamine-type stimulants and other synthetic drugs, pharmaceutical preparations and
prescription drugs as well as a rising number of so-called 'new psychoactive substances'. The
availability of and easy access to this variety of drugs entail serious health consequences,
especially when injecting drug use occurs with the subsequent risk of infection with HIV and
hepatitis, placing additional burden on health systems. Stigma and discrimination of those who
require access to services remain a serious social problem.

The region is also a source, transit and destination for large numbers of vulnerable groups of
people, including women and children moving within and beyond the region in search of better
lives. Many of them - on their journey- become exposed to and victimized by criminal
organizations, both for smuggling across borders as well as for various forms of exploitation.
South Asia is also facing cyber-enabled crime - wherein many 'traditional' crimes have taken a
new turn with the advent of the internet, such as crimes against children, drug abuse through
the dark net, financial crimes and online radicalisation. A series of new emerging crimes have
added to the already existing challenges, ranging from wildlife and forest crime, gender-based
violence and human rights violations, radicalization and violent extremism. Related economic
crimes threaten the integrity of financial systems in the region, while corruption is seen as
another major handicap to good governance, sustainable development and accountability. When
addressing these threats, criminal justice and prison systems struggle with providing services to
victims, witnesses and prisoners in line with international criminal justice standards and human
rights women and juvenile offenders are especially exposed.
UNODC is well placed to address the aforementioned challenges, as it has a proven capacity to
translate global normative frameworks into operational assistance, and to identify how the
different phenomena interact and impact sustainable development and human security.
The UNODC Regional Programme for South Asia (RPSA) is a strategic framework for the Regional
Office that informs and guides UNODC's technical cooperation and delivery of assistance in close
consultation with government counterparts of South Asia. The Regional Programme highlights a
set of priorities and operational responses for the period 2018-2021, while offering sufficient
flexibility to adapt to evolving threats and Member States' specific needs and constraints.
In line with the UNODC Strategic Framework 2018 - 2019, the Regional Programme is structured
around the following five sub-programmes, outlined in more detail below:

Sub-programme 1: Combating Transnational Organized Crime

Sub-programme 2: A comprehensive and balanced approach to counter

the drug problem (drug trafficking & drugs and

health: drug use prevention, treatment and care and

HIV prevention, treatment and care and support

services for people who use drugs and for people in

prisons)

Sub-programme 3: Countering Corruption

Sub-programme 4: Terrorism prevention

Sub-programme 5: Crime prevention and criminal justice

Trafficking in persons (TIP) is a grave human rights violation and a serious crime affecting
societies worldwide. It victimizes millions of women, men and children, including those most
vulnerable amongst migrant communities, asylum-seekers, refugees and stateless persons, and
is commonly associated with many other forms of exploitation, such as sexual exploitation,
forced and bonded labour, forced marriages and practices like slavery. The brutality and injustice
associated with trafficking in persons is immeasurable for each and every victim. Their lives,
dreams and expectations are shattered.
South Asia comprises countries that are source, transit and destination countries for trafficking in
persons for sexual exploitation, forced labour, organ removal etc. The region comprises socio-
economic inequalities and intense internal migratory flows, the reality in many instances being
open and porous borders between some countries of the region. Growing economies, combined
with corruption, weak criminal justice systems, unequal law enforcement capacities offer
opportunities for organised crime to thrive. UNODC's Global Trafficking in Persons report of 2016
states that about 88% of the detected victims in South Asia are trafficked domestically within
this region.
Open and porous borders within the South Asia region have eased trade, but they also pose a
challenge for border guards and immigration officers in detecting, identifying and reporting
incidents of trafficking in persons. When victims of cross-border trafficking in persons are
detected, it is critical to have efficient and timely mechanisms of information sharing between
countries, so that victims can be rescued and traffickers arrested immediately.
Key cross-border challenges in South Asia include - vulnerabilities faced by these populations
due to poverty, gender discrimination and gender-based violence, including as driven by conflict,
natural disasters, the re-trafficking of victims, lack of awareness about human trafficking at the
borders, insufficient knowledge and skills among border control/ law enforcement officials to
identify victims of trafficking and inadequate number of safe shelters at borders. Another
challenge faced in the region is also the lack of 'willingness' to cooperate (either bilaterally or
regionally) between some SAARC Member States.
The region also faces an increase in child trafficking - for the purposes of bonded labour,
domestic servitude, child marriage, illegal adoption, pornography and the expansion of the use of
the Internet across the region has enhanced the ways in which sexual exploitation of children
can occurs. Although the region records most instances of trafficking in this region for the
purpose of forced labour and sexual exploitation, there have been increasing media and
anecdotal reports regarding new and emerging forms of TIP for the purposes of forced
surrogacy, fraudulent marriages (for the purpose of exploitation), sex tourism, forced begging,
medical drug testing, for organ removal etc.

While most countries in the region have some legislation in place to criminalize commercial
sexual exploitation, exploitation of children, forced and bonded labour, some lack provisions and
procedures for dealing with TIP as a criminal offence and as comprehensively as the UNTOC and
its Supplementary Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons (Trafficking
Protocol) foresees. Also, among criminal justice and law enforcement authorities there is not yet
sufficient experience in detecting and investigating cases of TIP or in international cooperation
through mutual legal assistance and extradition.
Cross-border trafficking in persons between Bangladesh, India and Nepal brings with it the
additional challenge of how to repatriate the victims. On numerous occasions, victims are
rescued, but due to lengthy legal and bureaucratic procedures it can take years for the victim to
be repatriated to their home country. The three governments have expressed a strong need to
bolster regional and cross-border cooperation to address challenges of rescue and repatriation of
vulnerable women, children and men that are trafficked across the borders. Referral
mechanisms are needed to protect trafficking victims from being exploited further.

While adequate data from Government collated sources for information related to the smuggling
of migrants (SOM) is still lacking; UNODC's recent assessments under its global programme on
 SOM and GLO.ACT point to a close link between the smuggling of migrants and irregular
migratory flows in South Asia. Thus, for instance, evidence shows that the majority of the
migrants smuggled through Central Asia come from South Asia, especially from Afghanistan,
Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Evidence-based knowledge on migrant smuggling and
irregular migration is both scattered and weak. There is no regional reporting system or
mechanism in place yet.
South Asia is predominantly a region of origin for irregular migrants to destinations outside, such
as: Europe, Gulf States, North America, Oceania and South-East Asia. This is particularly the
case for irregular migrants from India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Although irregular migration from
South Asia to far-away destinations is in most cases facilitated by smugglers, irregular migration
within South Asia also appears, to a significant extent, to be facilitated by them.
According to UNODC's "Migrant Smuggling in Asia report (2015)", the smuggling of migrants
from South Asia mostly takes place to Europe and the North Americas. The smuggling of South
Asian migrants by air usually involves the use of fraudulent travel or identity documents that are
used to board international flights and pass through immigration controls in transit and
destination countries. Fraudulent documents include passports or visas but also birth certificates
and other identification papers that can be forged and altered more easily and that are then used
to fraudulently obtain travel or identity documents.
Country specific and regional initiatives
 Since 2013, UNODC in South Asia has responded to trafficking in persons and the
smuggling of migrants through the implementation of various initiatives, including
country specific projects in Bangladesh and Bhutan and two regional initiatives
covering Bangladesh, India and Nepal aimed at strengthening cross border
collaboration and cooperation to counter trafficking in persons. Under these
projects, guidelines and SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) on facilitating
repatriation of victims of cross-border trafficking, scaling up referral mechanisms
for protection and assistance to victims were developed, and a workshop on
trafficking in persons for organ removal was organised in Nepal.
 Under GLO.ACT-a special UNODC initiative--in 2018, Nepal participated in a multi-
country study on the smuggling of migrants--Nepal as a source country and Brazil,
Colombia and South Africa as transit countries to assess vulnerabilities and
associated risks and the importance of international cooperation and collaboration
among countries of origin and transit to address the smuggling of migrants.
 Under its Regional Programme for South Asia (2013-2017), UNODC also supported
efforts to address violence against women in India. In 2016, UNODC organized a
Training of Trainers Workshop on Effective Prosecution Responses to Violence
 against Women and Girls, in collaboration with UN Women and the Thailand
Institute of Justice, which was attended by prosecutors from 10 Southeast and
South Asian countries.
Strengthening Criminal Justice Response
Much of UNODC's work on human trafficking centres on strengthening the criminal justice
response by helping countries to develop legislation, institutions and effective law enforcement.
Under a partnership with the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs, capacity-building activities in five
states of the country included training of police officials and prosecutors, setting up of Anti-
Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs), establishment of networks among law enforcement agencies
and civil society partners as well as development of resource tools and training aids that were
used by law enforcement officers throughout the country. Under this partnership, the launch of 9
AHTUs and training of over 14,000 law enforcement officials contributed to an increased
awareness of the issue, skill enhancement, better inter agency coordination and victim - witness
protection. Considering the efficacy of AHTUs in addressing human trafficking in a holistic
manner, the Government of India replicated this model under their anti-human trafficking
scheme. As a result, a 20 per cent increase was recorded in registered human trafficking cases
between 2009 and 2010.
In April 2014, UNODC launched a Regional Trafficking in Persons project. The project was
jointly launched by the Governments of Bangladesh, India and Nepal. The project ended in
September 2017. The project aimed to: (i) strengthen victim referral and protection mechanisms
in beneficiary countries, (ii) design and implement measures to prevent cross-border trafficking
and (iii) improve cross-border cooperation among relevant actors for rights-based repatriation of
victims. The project produced a number of outputs, including:
 Guidelines for putting in place a Regional Referral Mechanism.
 Report on: Cross-Border Human Trafficking: Vulnerability and Support Service
Assessment (Bangladesh, India, Nepal)
 Documentation of existing good practice prevention programmes in the three
countries
 Comprehensive IEC material (posters, video and audio clips, presentations, etc.).
 Three NGOs, one each (in a border location), in the three project countries, were
supported. Altogether 1,022 victims/at-risk persons were extended support and aid
in the three countries. In India, an NGO in Assam was supported.
Between June-July 2017, UNODC was requested by India's Border Security Force (BSF) and
Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) to provide technical assistance to conduct training workshops for
their forces. IEC material developed under the project was shared with them for wider use and
dissemination. In addition, SSB invited UNODC to technically support them to organise a large-
 scale public awareness event at a key 'hot-spot' district called Sonbarsha, located at the Indo-
Nepal border in the state of Bihar.
 Comprehensive research on Trafficking in Persons in the region
 Focus on new and emerging forms, child trafficking and sexual exploitation in the
context of tourism Targeted data collection on Smuggling of Migrants
 Training of law enforcement and border security officials
 Assessments of existing mechanisms, legislations and policies and strengthening of
inter-agency cooperation/coordination
 Establishment and strengthening of knowledge/information sharing
national/regional platforms, development of rehabilitation and referral mechanisms
and development of protocols on the protection of the rights of victims;
 Public awareness campaigns
 Legislative assistance and policy guidance
 Exchange of good practices and international expertise
Areas of focus under the Regional Programme for South Asia include building synergies with
existing UNODC programmes, comprehensive research on TIP, with a focus on new and
emerging forms; child trafficking and sexual exploitation in the context of tourism; targeted data
collection on SOM; training of law enforcement and border security officials on detection and
investigation of TIP and SOM cases; assessments of existing mechanisms, legislations and
policies and strengthening of inter-agency cooperation/coordination in the context of both TIP
and SOM; establishment and strengthening of knowledge/ information sharing national/regional
platforms, development of rehabilitation mechanisms for victims of TIP as well as smuggled
migrants, including referral mechanisms, development of protocols for safe repatriation of
victims of TIP or the protection of the rights of smuggled migrants; and finally initiatives to
increase awareness on TIP and SOM.UNODC also stands ready to deliver assistance in legislative
drafting and in other areas to enable each country to fill the above-mentioned gaps or to amend
inadequate provisions. This can be facilitated especially through the UNODC-developed model
laws on TIP and SOM.
South Asia is situated in the neighbourhood of one of the major opium-cultivating regions in the
world and sandwiched between two of the world's largest heroin producing areas: the Golden
Crescent and the Golden Triangle. Illicit heroin produced in these regions is smuggled into and
through South Asia. According to the latest UNODC survey, Afghanistan is the world's largest
illicit opium-producing country, accounting for more than 90 percent of global output. This has
increased the availability and use of illicitly produced opiates in South Asia.For many years, drug
trafficking in South Asia has been the most lucrative form of business for criminals. Drug
markets have evolved, and the region is now witnessing challenges such as bulk trafficking in
heroin, rise in methamphetamine manufacturing and trafficking, diversion of controlled
substances from licit to illicit channels, smuggling of pharmaceutical preparations containing
narcotic and psychotropic substances, and inadequate coordination between various drug
enforcement agencies in the region. A recent phenomenon in the region is the rise of trafficking
and abuse of ATS and setting up of clandestine laboratories. The challenge in containing
precursors is that they are used both for legitimate and illegal purposes. The objective of
precursor control is to maintain a balance between preventing diversion of precursors for illicit
manufacture of drugs and not affecting legitimate trade.

In South Asia, opiates remain a highly problematic group of drugs, which when overdosed, often
leads to death among injecting drug users. Recent trends point to an increased use of
amphetamine-type synthetic drugs, as well as of prescription drugs, including codeine-based
cough syrups, painkillers and tranquilizers. The combined use of different substances has grave
consequences for the users, which service providers and health systems are neither prepared,
nor equipped to deal with. Dismantling trafficking networks within the region requires strong and
efficient drug law enforcement strategies, including enhanced inter-agency cooperation within a
country as well as with agencies across borders and regions. While governments have ratified
the 3 UN Drug Control Conventions and established domestic legal and regulatory regimes to
control drug supply, capacities to effectively apply them are uneven.
Countries, particularly near illicit drug producing areas, need to implement well-structured
comprehensive precursor control strategies that deny traffickers access to the chemicals they
require to produce illicit drugs. In order to achieve this, the Governments need to have adequate
legislations in line with the UN Conventions. The related UN Conventions are, the Single
Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961, the Convention on Psychotropic Substances 1971 and
the Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances 1988.

Substance abuse refers to the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including
alcohol and illicit drugs. Psychoactive substance use can lead to dependence syndrome - a
cluster of behavioural, cognitive, and physiological phenomena that develop after repeated
substance use. Typically these include a strong desire to take the drug, difficulties in controlling
its use, persisting in its use despite harmful consequences, a higher priority given to drug use
than to other activities and obligations, increased tolerance, and sometimes a physical
withdrawal state.
Recent trends indicate that synthetic drugs are now replacing the natural and semi-
synthetic drugs that have been abused over decades. The emergence of New Psychoactive
Substances (NPS) have posed a difficult challenge for governments as well as law enforcement
agencies in the region. The information on the NPS trafficking and its abuse patterns and trends
is very limited and not widely available to the policy makers for taking informed policy decisions.
Precursor control has intensified the problem further. The term 'precursor chemicals' refers to
chemicals that are essential to manufacture drugs and are incorporated at molecular level into a
narcotic drug or psychotropic substance. Precursors are legally produced chemicals which are
legitimately used in industries and research. However, drug trackers divert them from legitimate
trade and use them to produce illicit drugs.
In view of globally changing drug markets and drug use patterns, there is a dire need to tailor
governmental responses to the new emerging scenarios. Initiatives such as outreach, outpatient
drug dependence treatment interventions and residential services for persons affected by drug
dependence, are essential to address the health consequences of drug use.
Families too have the potential to act as a major protective force in the lives of children and
adolescents. Healthy, stable and mutually supportive family relationships are essential to the
healthy development of children and the prevention of adolescent problems. Families that lack
security and warmth in parent-child relationship can cause their children to face a greater risk of
behavioural problems and subsequent substance abuse.
UNODC assists countries in South Asia to frame legislation, rules and regulations on precursor
chemical control. It is committed to assist countries of the region to assess their licit
requirements of precursor chemicals and maintain a database for the purpose. Emphasis is laid
on building capacities of law enforcement agencies to enable them to detect and prevent
diversions of precursors from licit trade as well as through smuggling. They are also trained to
conduct follow up investigations to identify sources and apprehend traffickers.
The objective is to create an institutional training and consultation capacity in the region on drug
law enforcement and to improve the knowledge, awareness, cooperation and results in the field
of drug control and organized crime.
The four priority areas of UNODC's work on drug treatment and rehabilitation include:
• Community based treatment
• Drug dependence treatment and rehabilitation in prison settings
• Role of drug dependence treatment and rehabilitation on HIV and AIDS prevention and care
• Sustainable livelihoods for reintegration and rehabilitation
Over the last few years, UNODC has been working with Governments and civil society
organizations on a broad range of areas, including research, evidence generation, quality
assurance, advocacy and policy advice, pioneering of Opioid Substitution Treatment (OST),
capacity building and training of service providers in the field of drug treatment and HIV
prevention, placing emphasis on emerging issues, such as overdose management and targeting
the hard-to reach drug-using populations, such as women. UNODC also supports Governments to
undertake studies and assessments on the extent, patterns and trends of drug use. These help
identify gaps in services and develop responses to strengthen services in line with international
standards, allowing to meet current and emerging needs.
UNODC's work on drug treatment and rehabilitation is guided by the following:
1. Raise the awareness of policy makers with respect to the need and advantages of investing in
drug abuse treatment
2. Support national authorities in developing legislation, policies, and standards of care which
enable the implementation of contemporary treatment approaches
3. Strengthen the capacity of staff and care providers of treatment and rehabilitation centres
4. Diversify and expand services for drug users and make them more accessible to different
population groups, taking into account different gender needs,
5. Facilitate sharing of best practices and dissemination of knowledge
6. Upscale drug treatment and rehabilitation services available
HIV transmission through injecting drug use is best prevented by providing a comprehensive
package of services in outreach to injecting drug users and their partners. UNAIDS, UNODC and
WHO recommend a comprehensive set of measures for people who use drugs that includes the
following:
• needle and syringe programmes
• opioid substitution therapy
• voluntary HIV counselling and testing
• anti-retroviral therapy
• prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections
• condom programming
• targeted information, education and communication
• hepatitis diagnosis, treatment and vaccination
• tuberculosis prevention, diagnosis and treatment

Regional Platform for criminal intelligence/ information sharing

UNODC, in consultation with the Governments of South Asian Member States, has envisioned the
creation of a regional mechanism for sharing information and criminal intelligence to effectively
counter drug trafficking and other forms of organised crime. The mechanism, named "South
Asian Regional Intelligence and Coordination Centre on Transnational Organized Crime"
(SARICC-TOC), seeks to facilitate criminal intelligence collection and analysis, coordination of
operational activities of the law enforcement agencies, as well as to act as a knowledge sharing
platform on strengthening security in the region.
Special Packages: Treatnet and Family Skills
Evidence-based parenting skills and family skills training programmes have been found to be a
highly effective way to prevent substance use among children and adolescents. These
programmes offer skill-building for parents on monitoring and supervision of children's activities,
communication as well as setting age-appropriate limits. These programmes improve family
functioning, organization, communication and interpersonal relationships. They have been found
to yield multiple positive outcomes for children and adolescents including decreased drug use,
decreased child depression and aggression, and decreased family conflicts, as well as increased
child attachment to school and increased child social competence and pro-social behaviour. The
UNODC Treatnet Training Package is a unique tool to enhance the level of knowledge and skills of
professionals working in the field of substance use disorders. While Treatnet Volume A focuses
on screening, brief intervention, assessment and treatment planning, Volume B deals with
elements of psychosocial treatment.
Container Control Programme

The use of maritime transportation by trackers has been identified as a key emerging
threat. Addressing this area of concern, UNODC has been working closely with the World
Customs Organization (WCO) to develop and implement the Container Control Programme. The
Programme assists Governments to create sustainable enforcement structures at sea ports in
order to minimize the risk of shipping containers being exploited for illicit drug trafficking,
transnational organized crime and other forms of illicit activities.
In South Asia, the Container Control Programme works closely with all participating Governments
of the region . It has already established Port Control Units (PCUs) at Male, Maldives
and Colombo, Sri Lanka. These PCUs comprise customs and other relevant law enforcement
officers, who undertake the systematic profiling and inspection of high risk containers. The
Container Control Programme actively supports the formation of alliances, cooperation and
information exchange between customs, trade and enforcement communities as a means to
prevent the abuse of legitimate commercial trade for the purposes of organized crime.
Air Cargo Units
As an extension of the Container Control Programme in South Asia, Air Cargo Control Units
(ACCUs) in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have been set-up to encourage better collaboration
among national agencies and curb illicit trading.
Joint UN Response: UBRAF
The Unified Budget, Results and Accountability Framework (UBRAF) is a UNAIDS instrument to
maximize the coherence, coordination and impact of the UN's joint response to AIDS. Under
UBRAF, UNODC has been providing technical support on Opioid Substitution Treatment in
Gujarat and tailored HIV services for key populations of people who inject drugs(PWID) and
prisoners in the state. UNODC also aims to carry out a study on prevalence of HIV/TB and other
blood borne viruses and related behavioural risk in two central prisons of Gujarat, in partnership
with the Gujarat State AIDS Control Society and the Gujarat Prisons department. The
assessment will enable evidence-based interventions and programming for HIV comprehensive
package of services including management of IDUs in prison settings.
Opioid Substitution Treatment (OST)
Opioid Substitution Treatment (OST) is a universally accepted treatment option for Opioid
dependent persons. It involves the administration of an Opioid medication orally or sublingually,
under medical supervision. The comprehensive treatment coupled with psychosocial support
helps the drug user reduce and stop injecting, overcome withdrawal, control craving and reduce
or wean off the Opioid.
UNODC has developed toolkits for service providers working on OST.
Methadone Maintenance Treatment
UNODC in partnership with National Governments piloted Methadone Maintenance Treatment
(MMT) in Bangladesh, India, Maldives and Nepal. MMT has helped hundreds of patients
dependent on opioids, reduce their risk of contracting and transmitting HIV and other blood-
borne viruses and improve their overall well-being by stabilizing them physically and emotionally.
Many drug users have been able to reintegrate into their families and get back to normal life and
work after enrolling in the MMT programme. A total of 12 MMT centres have been set up in the
region with the support of UNODC.
Managing Drug Overdose
UNODC is training health care providers and community workers on overdose prevention and
treatment globally. The trainings focus on the causes, risk factors, signs and symptoms of an
overdose. In Bhutan, the training was conducted in collaboration with the Bhutan Narcotics
Control Agency, Royal Government of Bhutan. A similar training was conducted in Sri Lanka in
collaboration with the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board, Government of Sri Lanka.
UNODC in collaboration with national Governments is also conducting studies on 'Issues affecting
overdose prevention and treatment' in Bangladesh, Bhutan and Sri Lanka.
Reaching out to women drug users
Women are affected by drug use both as users and partners of men who use drugs. Women who
use drugs are more exposed to stigma and discrimination than men. As a result, they are more
hidden and harder-to-reach. There are very few women-specific treatment centres available.
They are often not in a position to negotiate safe injecting or safe sex and are therefore
vulnerable to unplanned pregnancies, as well as HIV infection for both themselves and their
unborn baby. Working with women drug users forms an important part of UNODC's work.
In Nepal, UNODC has been pioneering interventions including advocacy, capacity building and
services to address the risk of HIV amongst women who use drugs. Working closely with the
Government, UNODC has conducted research studies, compiled a good practice guide, developed
training materials and imparted training to service providers working with women and reached
out to a number of women drug users with essential services like the needle-syringe programme
and distribution of condoms.
Computer Based Training (CBT)
As part of its work on building capacities of law enforcement officials to counter drug tracking,
UNODC introduced a new training tool based on e-learning and computer-based training,
reaching out to a much larger number of trainees than under traditional classroom training.
UNODC has set up 39 computer based training (CBT) centres for a variety of law
enforcement agencies in South Asia, including drug law enforcement agencies.
The CBT comprehensively covers all aspects of drug law enforcement such as drug identification
and testing, search techniques, interdiction techniques, intelligence gathering, precursor
chemicals and money laundering. CBT has proven highly attractive to law enforcement officials in
the region and UNODC is constantly looking at expanding its outreach and including new content
into the programme.

Interpol-

Countering terrorism and transnational crime in South and

Southeast Asia
Project Scorpius is a two-year (2017-2019) initiative to enhance the capacity of law
enforcement officials in South and Southeast Asia to prevent and disrupt terrorism and
related transnational crime. It is jointly funded by INTERPOL and the Government of
Canada.
It adopts a holistic approach by bringing together relevant actors across the law
enforcement community, including key decision makers, counter-terrorism and transnational
crime investigators, intelligence officers, officers from INTERPOL National Central Bureaus
(NCBs), criminal justice agencies, prosecutors and police training institutions.

Supporting our global counter-terrorism strategy, the project focuses on eight beneficiary
countries: Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines and Sri
Lanka.
 Needs assessment

The project began with an assessment of the challenges the countries encounter in their daily
police work and how best INTERPOL can assist them in the future with counter-terrorism
related training.

The findings of this phase were discussed at the project launch meeting in Colombo in August
2017, which brought together more than 40 senior law enforcement officers from counter-
terrorism and related crime units, prosecutors and police institutions. The meeting set out the
groundwork for developing training programmes to address the skills gaps in the regions.
Policing capabilities

A key aspect of the project is to ensure that police in the beneficiary countries know how to use
all of our policing services to the fullest extent in their daily police work, including criminal
databases, forensics and intelligence analysis. Based on the needs of each country, training
support will be provided in the required areas.

The first training workshop was held in Jakarta in December 2017 and focused on how
INTERPOL can provide investigative assistance before, during and following a terrorist incident.
It brought together officers from counter-terrorism, transnational crime, intelligence and financial
crime units, as well as prosecutors and officers from the NCBs.

An instructor development component aimed at creating a network of counter-terrorism experts

in both regions able to deliver training in future1/17
courses.

Analytical skills

Analytical workshops provide the practical skills required for officers to effectively analyze
criminal and terrorist activities, so they can:

 Understand the concepts and components of the intelligence process;

 Produce analytical assessments, reports and briefings;
 Understand and apply the concepts, techniques and tools of open source and social media
investigations;
 Gain practical exposure to analyze cases of terrorist financing;
 Understand the admissibility of evidence gathered through social media platforms and ICT
providers, and enhance the capacity of the police and prosecution in the areas of digital
forensics.
A criminal intelligence analysis training course hosted by the Bangladesh Police Force in 2018
brought together more than 20 counter-terrorism and intelligence officials from nine countries. It
looked at the methodologies for the prevention, detection and investigation of terrorism and
related transnational crime.
Investigative Skills

Investigative workshops provide the practical skills required to prevent, detect and investigate
criminal and terrorist activities, enhancing the capability of countries to:

 Identify suspected terrorists and their affiliates;

 Coordinate between relevant law enforcement agencies, nationally and internationally;
 Systematically include biometrics linked to terrorist profiles in INTERPOL databases and alerts;
 Identify, track and intercept the illicit trafficking of weapons and materials;
 Share intelligence on subjects and modus operandi linked to CBRN and IED incidents.
Online learning

A web-learning programme will provide law enforcement officers with access to online training
on areas such as counter-terrorism, digital forensics, criminal justice response, human rights,
radicalization and de-radicalization, and countering violent extremism.

A strong focus will be on community building among relevant criminal justice and law
enforcement officers in the participating countries and the development of a strong regional and
inter-regional network to facilitate and strengthen cooperation and collaboration.

For this component of the project, INTERPOL will establish partnerships with academic
institutions to:
 Design basic training curricula;
 Set-up the digital platform for the programme;
 Update the platform’s content and monitor the students’ progress;
 Share best practice on how countries can effectively run interactive courses online.
Webinars

‘Countering violent extremism’ was the subject of our first webinar, conducted in December
2017 in collaboration between the INTERPOL Global Learning Centre and Simon Fraser
University in Canada.
 All in-person training courses will be complemented by a corresponding webinar. Future topics
will include:
 Criminal intelligence analysis;
 Open source and social media investigations;
 Financial investigations;
 Digital forensics;
 Weapons and materials;
 INTERPOL support following a terrorist incident;
 Disaster Victim Identification;
 Crisis management and response;
 Identification of foreign terrorist fighters;
 Border management.
Agreements

Through the project, INTERPOL will sign agreements to see its I-24/7 secure global police
communications system deployed to police academies in the beneficiary countries to provide
access for further training on INTERPOL’s policing capabilities, including through the online
INTERPOL Global Learning Centre platform, providing institutional sustainability.

Agreements have been signed with:

 Bangladesh Police Staff College (February 2018)

The most important mandate of CID is Investigation. It is the apex body of

criminal investigation in Bangladesh. To conduct investigation in scientific way is
the difference from others as well as the excellence of this unit. CID performs its
investigation process by using different scientific and technological tools. This is
the reason of its high accuracy of investigation. It disposes more than 3000
cases on an average in each year which includes 22 categories of scheduled
offences.
CID-
Scheduled Offences:
CID has the authority to investigate 22 categories of offences which are called
‟Scheduled Offences for CID”. This are-

1. Murder for gain

2. Human trafficking
3. Kidnapping for ransom
 4. Terrorist activities and terrorist financing
5. Transitional organized crimes
6. Implantation or removal of different parts to or from the human body
7. Adulteration in consumable goods
8. Dacoity
9. Cyber crime
10. Pornography
11. Smuggling
12. Drugging or poisoning
13. Infringement of intellectual property rights
14. Infringement of copy rights
15. Counterfeiting of coin or stamps
16. Drug abuses
17. Highway, railways or mail robbery
18. Deed forgery
19. Bank frauds
20. Swindling
21. Insurance frauds of serious nature
22. Cheat by bogus appointment
23. Economic Crime Investigation

Besides the aforementioned scheduled cases, CID is the only authorized unit on
behalf of Bangladesh police to investigate the money laundering cases derived
from predicate offences under Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2012.
Economic Crime Squad of CID deals with the investigation of financial crime
committed against property involving the unlawful conversion of the ownership of
property to one’s own personal use and benefit and committed by an individual or
a group of individuals to obtain a financial gain.
It is the only police unit in Bangladesh to investigate financial crime including
enquiries and cases under the Money Laundering Prevention Act. It works in
collaboration with Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), Anti-Corruption
Commission (ACC), National Board of Revenue (NBR), Customs Intelligence and
Investigation Directorate (CIID), Narcotics Control Department, Environment
Department, Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission and numerous
international law enforcement agencies.
Goals:

o To prevent, detect and investigate cases of economic crimes.

o To ensure prompt justice and desired relief to the victims.
This squad investigates cases and enquiries of the following 24 predicate
offences under Money Laundering Prevention Act 2012 (Amendment 2015):

o Counterfeiting currency
o Counterfeiting deeds and documents
o Extortion
o Fraud
o Forgery
o Illegal trade of firearms
o Illegal trade in narcotics drug, psychotropic substances and substances
causing intoxication
o Illegal trade in stolen and other goods
o Kidnapping, illegal restrain and hostage taking
o Murder, grievous physical injury
o Trafficking of women and children
o Black marketing
o Smuggling of domestic and foreign currency
o Theft or robbery or dacoity or piracy or hijacking of aircraft
o Human trafficking
o Dowry
o Smuggling and offences related to customs and excise duties
o Infringement of intellectual property rights
o Terrorism or financing in terrorist activities
o Adulteration or the manufacture of goods through infringement of title
o Offences relating to the environment
o Sexual exploitation
o Organized crime
o Racketeering

Trafficking of Human Being (THB)

This is a specialized section of the Organized Crime unit of CID to combat

human trafficking in Bangladesh. This unit has been created to provide
guidance/instructions about the investigation of human trafficking cases
throughout the country to ensure:-

o Timely investigations are under taken.

o Improved preparation and presentation of court documents.

This unit is also a focal point of all international enquiries relating to THB
The activities include:

 Investigation of human trafficking cases

  Rescue of victims, conduct of medical examination etc.
 Recording victims’ statements u/s 164 of the CrPC
 Recording statements of witnesses u/s 161 of the CrPC
 Arrest of the perpetrators
 Conduct operation to apprehend the suspects, their agents and involved
recruiting agencies
 Collection of intelligence

Crime prevention strategy necessitates cooperation between and among the

state parties concerned. To combat human trafficking, it closely works with
different NGOs and government agencies including the Ministry of Home Affairs,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training
(BMET), Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA),
Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), Department of Immigration &
Passports, and Interpol via our National Central Bureau (NCB) office at Police
Headquarters.
Homicide Squad

In the wake of increasing heinous and dreadful organized crimes especially clueless
and sensational murders and killings, urgency was felt to raise a specialized unit. As a
result, Homicide Squad was launched as a specialized entity to work under Organized
Crime division. The Homicide Squad deals with this notorious crime and efficiently
investigates cases those make headlines to identify and bring the perpetrators to
justice.
The objective of the unit is to:

 investigate clueless and sensational murder cases

 carry out massive and regular operations to arrest such criminals.

The Homicide Squad looks over the murder cases. It gathers information on deceased
history, relations and the murder event. The Squad analyses CDR and other personal
dealings and expose the real scenario and consequences that leads the investigation
towards the successful ending.
Serious crime Squad

‘Serious Crime Squad’ is one of the most active organized crime units of CID. With the
increment of population and urbanization, the nature and intensity of violent and
heinous crimes like trafficking of illegal goods, forgery, homicide, and financial crimes
are showing an ever-increasing trend. The Squad was established to monitor and
investigate such heinous crimes. Since its launching, this squad has dedicated its
activities with required integrity, sincerity and professionalism to make its mark as a
successful unit of CID in preventing and detecting organized crimes nationwide.
The mission of this squad is to eradicate and investigate all forms of heinous organized
crimes and bring the criminals to justice through modern and fruitful investigation of
cases, carrying out operations and arresting such criminals in a bid to foil their notorious
organized activities within and beyond the borders of Bangladesh.
The objective of the unit is to

 investigate, arrest and bring the perpetrators to justice

 carry out massive and regular operations against organized criminals/groups.

Areas of Operations :

1. Narcotics: The Serious Crime Squad actively fights against unauthorized

trafficking of drugs and narcotics. It regularly investigates, carries out operation to
root out drug trafficking groups or cartels throughout the country.
2. Trafficking of Gold/Currency: As a means of paying for illegal commodities,
often gold and foreign currencies are trafficked in and out of the country. Serious
Crime Squad is always ready to prevent and protect such unlawful activities and
maintains zero tolerance to criminal schemes.
3. Serious Crime: Crimes like robbery, dacoity, serious riot/assault, serious theft,
sedition, sabotage and other heinous crimes are investigated.
4. Forgery and cheating: Unlawful means are adopted by criminals in the forms of
making false documents, deeds and contracts to deceive and capture someone
else’s resources, money, properties and commodities. The Serious Crime Squad
takes over such cases and carries out operation to confiscate false documents,
stamps, certificates and arrest person(s) behind the scheme of defrauding.
5. Mobile-Phone Based Crime: Transfer of illegal money, collecting ransom,
threatening people, making porn or blackmailing is flawlessly done with cell
phones now-a-days. The Serious Crime Squad closely monitors and supervises
such complaints and takes legal actions against these perpetrators.

Basically, the investigating officers of this squad investigate sensational cases under
direct and active supervision of senior officers with a view to ensuring successful
investigation and bringing offenders to justice.
Besides, the squad frequently makes operations (covert and overt) on the basis of tip-
offs or intelligence, confiscates illegal commodities and makes arrest of the criminals
involved.
Thirdly, it roots out organized criminal rackets by clamping down on their entire network.
Special Task Group (STG)

Special Task Group is a separate and unique squad which merged with former Criminal
Intelligence Analysis Unit (CIAU). The main responsibility if STG squad is to investigate
and monitor special cases and tasks vested by proper authority which ranges from
terrorist financing to cyber-financial crime. The responsibility of CIAU unit was to
analyze all form of information collected in connection with different investigation and
from other covert sources to form a unique and operational intelligence for the
investigators.
The STG has a unique responsibility to monitor, collect, analyze, deliver, investigate
and operate in any case which is unique in nature and special type of skill is required.
For many cases, this unit provided guidelines for the investigators when it required by
authority. As it is a part of organized crime unit, it also deals with special type of
financial crime investigation as well. This unit is working efficiently to tackle new and
critical form of crime and detect modus operandi of cases.
Lawful Interception Cell (LIC)

Lawful Interception Cell (LIC) is a specialized unit of organized crime division of CID. It
always remains open and renders service to the investigating officers. It performs its
duty 24/7 throughout the year. It communicates with all mobile/cell phone operators and
Mobile Financial Service (MFS) authority of Bangladesh and provides all out necessary
mobile technological supports to the investigating officers.
Bomb and Explosive Squad

This squad investigates explosion cases. It also carries out post blast crime scene
investigation

Preventive measures against crime:

Crime is a complex term. we cannot remove it, we can minimize it.so necessary
steps to prevent crime will be mentioned bellow.
Necessary Economic Measures to prevent crime

Poverty and economic problem is one of the major reasons behind the committing
of crime in developing country like Bangladesh. For establishing an effective
crime prevention strategy, Taking place of some economic measures carries much
importance.
Ensuring adequate job opportunities:Unemployment problem is the root of all
problems which deserve the great care from Govt.as well as from private
stakeholders. Unemployment gives birth to poverty that causes crimein most cases.
Ensuring adequate job opportunities, a vast portion of unemployed can been gaged
in productive works and whereby bringing the stability in life, a substantial portion
of crime can be prevented before occurrence of these crimes.
Enriching the standard of living: After managing the required job, another
emphasization needed to improve the minimum standard of living. For ensuring
the minimum standard of living, Facilities should be managed from the Govt.
organization and other relating service providers.
Social betterments and economic co-operation: Only managing the required job
and improving the standard of living fulfil a part of crime prevention. For more
effective and practical crime prevention strategy, Govt. is needed to co-operate the
valid citizens with providing the money in loan basis for any emergency situations.
Govt. banks and enlisted banks of private ownership can provide the monetary help
in facing the special situation and regain this money in instalment basis.
Perfect economic framework as demanded:Sometimes it is seemed that a
particular economic system is favourable for criminal and their are sort under the
umbrella of that economic system. Sometimes it is argued that capitalist economic
system is well furnished for prevention of crime because it inspires the class
system. Since the rich are being richer and the poor are being poorer in this system,
a particular group are being exploited and hereby tending to commit crime for
ensuring the basic needs. So, economic system must be determined in accordance
with assets, cultures, human beliefs, religion and educational proportionality so
that every citizen can be treated equally and proportionally what they deserve.
Necessary Social Measures to prevent crime:

Human are the inhabitant of Society and their human psychology and behavior are
nourished in the society. Where inequality, injustice and lack of proper social
structure exist, Commission of crime is the regular phenomena in that society. So,
some social measures deserve to be followed as to formulate an effective and
sustainable crime prevention strategy.
Population control for crime prevention:Population in one sense is asset of any
country. But lacking the other accessories support as to the territorial limitation, it
turned into liability instead of being asset. Population must be controlled.
Otherwise fulfilment of other requirement will not be fruitful as expected.
Optimum population is much more important to bring the fruitful change in the
society as well as framing the effective crime prevention strategy.
Ensuring the standard childhood period to every child:Childhood is the most
appropriate period of forming the personality of any human being and it is proved
from various research works that the crime prone mentality of any person is the
output of childhood experience. So, it our inevitable duty to give a productive and
positive childhood to every child. Specially, the burden goes to the parents whose
help is very much influential to their children. Creating a positive anti-crime
mentality from the very beginning will be very beneficial in a broad sense not to
engage in criminal activities. These lead a movement of not to take part in criminal
activities taking cognizance the moral point of views.
Engagement in community safety participation:It has been seen that in different
crime prone area, members of the community form voluntary group to prevent the
crime and criminal activities. It works to help the law enforcing agencies to
prevent the crimes. It works as supplementary to the regular crime preventing
agencies.
Introducing the steps demanded in critical stage:In different countries of the
world, it has been seen that some emergency measures have been initiated to meet
any emergency situation or any special types of crimes. In our country, we can also
employ some emergency steps to reduce the any particular crimes in any particular
area. For example, in slum areas or in Garment industrial area, Govt. can enforce
special police force to stop the sexual assault or violence against women because in
this areas this sort of crime usually take place and by this special measures, it can
be stopped more or less before the happening of crimes.
Role to be played by educational institutions: Educational institution are
regarded as one of the most holy places of the world where the basic human
characteristics are taught to make the student proper human being. It is the duty of
teachers to nourish the students with outmost care and spread the anti-crime
mentality to bring peace in the humanity. Teachers are the idols of the students and
their speeches are always followed by the fellows. So, in the educational
institutions, some basic crime prevention measures can be taken by the teachers to
make the students conscious about the crime prevention and its necessity.
Role to be played by religious institutions:Religion and religious institutions are
the most holy places of the world and the reflection spread from the religious
institutions are followed by its followers. So, to make the world a peaceful place
which is also a basic goal of religion itself, Religious institutions and religiously
wise person can play very important role in these respects. It can initiate to bring a
great change to human life by making the mass people virtuous, principled and
anti-criminal minded.
Segregation of criminals:Condemning views to the criminal from the all walks of
people from the society can make an effective contribution to prevent the crime. In
some special circumstances, if required, criminal can be segregated from general
people. This will make the criminal socially boycotted and mentally helpless.
Hence, finally he, the criminal, can give up the recidivism.
Required legal measures to prevent crime:

Law is used as a tool of controlling the criminal and criminal behavior. In a simple
sense, Legal measures play the most important role to prevent the criminals. Our
judicial system, prison system are also administered by legal administration. It is
the legal measures which can directly prevent the crime and make an example to
the criminal by proving severe punishments in one sense. In another sense, by
managing some pre-cautionary measures providing by law, Crime can also be
prevented in a great extent. It relates to the following sub-points-
Activism of law enforcing agencies: Main roles of maintaining law and order
situation delegated to law enforcing agencies whose activism mostly relates to the
prevention of crime. The all rules and regulations in respect of prevention of crime
are vested to law enforcing agencies and they play the key role in crime
prevention. If there arise a problem in law enforcing agencies, the whole strategy
doesn’t work up to the mark. So, we should give our special attention in law
enforcing agencies if we want to reside in a crime free non-violent society.
Effective and Speedy Court System: Effective and speedy judicial system can
boost the crime prevention movement throughout the whole country by doing their
works in accordance with what ought to be done by rule sand regulations. By,
pronouncing proper judgment, by not being partial in any particular party, by not
being corrupt, it can play great role of crime prevention.
Proper laws to be framed: For effective and sustainable crime prevention and
community safety policy, Proper laws should be legislated from the parliament
leaving the partisan views to criminal. Taking cognizance the need for crime
prevention, legislators should be aware of legislating proper laws.
Implementation of existing laws: Only law framing is not enough to prevent the
crime before its happening rather proper implementation is much more important
than the legislation process. Law enforcing agencies should be given enough
power having the check and balance to implement such laws. For example, in
present Bangladesh, there has law which forbid the smoking in public place but it
lacks the implementation. Even we see law enforcing agency members’
engagement in smoking in public place. So, proper laws with proper
implementation are needed to frame actual crime prevention strategy and make the
community safe.
Monitoring agency to be formed to monitor the law enforcing activities:It has
been frequently reported to different newspapers and other electronic media that
law enforcing agency is not functioning properly according to law. They are
engaged incorruption and saving the criminal in exchange of money. So, proper
monitoring system to these laws enforcing agency deserves keen attention of
government to boost up the crime prevention movement.
Reformation of prison system: Reformation of prison system also deserves to be
worked on it because our prison system is not working what it ought to be worked
with aiming to reforming the criminals. Several statistics and specialist opined that
our prison system makes a small criminal to a bid high profile criminal. So, taking
in account the researchers and criminologists views regarding there formation of
prison system, It should be started to work on.
Contribution of mass media for preventing crimes: It is the mass media which
influences us in every parts of our life and in every happening of our life. It can
carry a mass movement on crime preventions. It should be careful about its
program planning and telecasting. It should telecast legal awareness programs. It
should advertise the existing laws necessary to crime prevention. It should telecast
the investigative
Suggesting a better policy: From the above discussion, we have come through
some economic, social and legal measures which contribute to boost up the
movement of crime prevention to establish a safer community to make the world
more inhabitants friendly. But the real fact is that we are witnessing multi-
dimensional criminal activities in our society which cannot be solved only basing
on any particular measures. I would like to suggest a better policy mixing all the
constituent measures to be applied at a time in respect of needy period to prevent
crimes.
Role of social worker to combat crime:
A social worker can play an important role to combat social problem like crime.it
play effective role to combat social problem in different way.description will be
mentioned bellow.
Create awareness among the people: Social worker works in the root level of the
community.so they have good communication with the community people .If they
can build up awareness among the people about crime that will help to minimize
crime.
Help to formulate crime related policy: Social worker can work to the root level
people and know that what types of policy can be needed for crime.so they can
provide enough knowledge to the authority to formulate crime related policy.
Building social movement: Social worker can build up social movement against
crime .If they can build up social movement against crime such as rape, burglary
etc that will minimize crime.
Counceeling : Social worker can provide counciling program to the victims and
offenders. If they will provide it properly that will minimize crime.
Correctional program: Social worker can provide correctional program to the
offenders that will help to reform the offenders. It helps criminals to rectify their
attitude and mentality. Thus crime will be remove from the society.
Provide Education : Social worker can provide enough knowledge about crime.
They will able to realize that crime is the breaking of moral rules so that people
will know about crime and avoid to commit crime.
Helps to find out causes of crime: social worker works in the community level so
they can observe crime and criminal activities and able to find out the cause of
crime that will help to minimize crime by removing the causes of crime.
Research on crime: social worker conduct research on crime .Crime is changing
day by day according to the changing pattern of environment .What types of crime
will introduce for changing environment. Social worker can identify it that will
help to take effective measures to control crime. Create negative image on
criminal activities: social worker can create negative image on the criminal to the
people. People can provide negative attitude to the criminal so criminal can realize
it and avoid to conduct crime.