North Macedonia: ICITAP Delivers Advanced Techniques Training to Combat Narcotics Trafficking

On September 2, ICITAP-North Macedonia concluded a five-day regional course in Skopje on Advanced Techniques to combat Narcotics Trafficking in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). This U.S. European Command (EUCOM)-sponsored regional course included twenty-four counter-narcotics investigators from Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Romania, Serbia and North Macedonia. It was designed to provide the participants with advanced knowledge and skills to apply during investigations in regional and international drug trafficking cases. The course was delivered by experienced DEA instructors and included lectures, presentations, practical exercises, case studies, and discussions. Topics that were covered focused on Regional Organized Crime, Diversion & Methods of Control Program, Cyber Exploitation, Advanced Interview & Interrogation Techniques, Informant Management, Surveillance, Undercover Operations, Operation Planning, Global Money Laundering, Officer Safety, Critical Leadership and Regional Anti-Drug Legislation which was presented and facilitated by the designated co-trainer from the Police Training Center in North Macedonia. The ICITAP-North Macedonia Attaché provided opening and closing remarks to include the certificate delivery to the students. The ICITAP Attaché stressed the importance of a sustained regional cooperation of the specialized law enforcement agencies to successfully investigate drug-related activities aimed at countering illicit narcotics.