United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime launches initiative to end trafficking in synthetic opioids

Operation Azure is to prevent and respond to trafficking in synthetic opioids

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), as part of the global CRIMJUST program, launched “Operation Azure” to prevent and combat trafficking in synthetic opioids in Latin America and the Caribbean and in Africa.

Operation Azure is a holistic strategy providing awareness, knowledge and skills to frontline officers, prosecutors and judges through technical guidance, training and operational actions.

The program is organized under the UNODC Opioid Strategy, funded by the US Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.

At the launch, Ms. Stephanie S. Sullivan, U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, said opioid use and abuse is a global epidemic, which requires global solutions.

She said the United States was aware of the devastating effects of fentanyl and heroin coming from abroad, adding that approximately 93,000 Americans lost their lives to drug overdoses in 2020.

According to the World Health Organization, in 2019 there were 350,000 deaths attributed to opioids worldwide.

In Ghana and across the region, abuse of tramadol and other pharmaceuticals is a growing problem, she said.

Ms Sullivan said Operation Azure will focus on mitigating vulnerabilities in the global postal system and build capacity to investigate and prosecute offenders.

Mr. Francis Torkornoo, Director General of the Narcotics Control Commission, in response to new drug trends, the Commission has stepped up strategies to reduce the demand and supply of drugs.

“The Commission has stepped up its drug awareness program across the country and deployed officers to sorting centers of major courier service companies and some regional post offices to examine courier packages,” a- he declared.

He said the Commission would work in a spirit of collaboration to disrupt the activities of drug trafficking organizations by intercepting drugs and arresting and prosecuting criminals.

Mr. Charles Abani, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Ghana, said his outfit would continue to increase synergies in the fight against global drug trafficking.

He called for the use of technology to increase the effectiveness of the fight against drug trafficking for the success of the Operation.