illicit-trade-wco-2013

In a special action, the WCO teamed up with
Programme partner INTERPOL to engage in a joint
training and subsequent operation in Thailand. The
training session included 26 officials from the Thai
Customs Department, the Royal Thai Police, the
Border Patrol Police and the Immigration Department.
As a part of the training session, participants learned
how to use Programme Global Shield chemical
identification field test kits that were later successfully
deployed during the operation. Thai Customs
successfully seized 72 kg of sodium chlorate during
the operation.
Overall, in 2013 the Programme registered a 72 per
cent increase in reported precursor chemicals compared
with seizures reported for 2012 (see Chart 4). The
reason for the increase is the intensified focus and
awareness that the Programme has achieved through
training, communication and operational activities in
the areas of the world most concerned by the threat of
IEDs: Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Central Asian
countries. Due to these activities, the reporting of
seizures increased as well: 50 seizures were reported
in 2013, compared to 21 in 2012.
In cooperation with the military, Thai Customs seized approximately
72 kg of sodium chlorate including 188 bottles of rubber stimulant
products concealed in offender's pick-up truck
Photo courtesy of Thai Customs
Chart 4. Seized precursor chemicals in 2012-2013
114,816
2012 2013
66,699
12,340
12,886
Solid precursors (kg) Liquid precursors (litres)
106