The NAS has provided the MOU’s and commodities received reports signed by the staff as the donor and by the host government officials.
There were 21 on-site inspections conducted in 18 cities and 76 locations as follows:
06/26/2008
SIU Police Narcotics Supression Bureau (PNSB)
Chiang Rai Unit
Mae Sai Unit
Royal Thai Police
06/25/2008
SIU Police Narcotics Suppression Bureau (PNSB)
Chiang Mai Unit,
Royal Thai Police
06/24/2008
SIU Police Narcotics Suppression Bureau (PNSB)
Chiang Mai Intelligence
Royal Thai Police
08/18/2008
SIU Police Narcotics Suppression Bureau
Royal Thai Police
08/19/2008
SIU Police Narcotics Suppression Bureau (PNSB)
Bangkok Intelligence Center (BIC)
Royal Thai Police
09/08/2008
Police Narcotics Suppression Bureau (PNSB)
Thai Police
09/09/2008
Police Narcotics Task Force
Royal Thai Police
09/10/2008
Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO)
09/10/2008
Department of Probation
Ministry of Justice
09/11/2008
Royal Thai Navy (BTN)
09/12/2008
Fight Against Child
Exploitation (FACE)
09/15/2008
Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
09/16/2008
Royal Thai Customs
Ministry of Finance
09/17/2008
Office of Attorney General
09/22/2008
ONCB
Ministry of Justice
09/26/2008
Department of Special Investigation (DSI)
09/29/2008
Criminal Court
10/01/2008
Scientific Crime Detection
Department, Royal Thai Police
10/02/2008
Children, Juveniles and
Women Division, Royal Thai
Police
10/06/2008
Police Aviation Divison,
Royal Thai Police
04/22/2008
3rd Royal Thai Army,
Provincial Police Region
ONCP
Rachamongkol Technology Institute
Chang Puek Police Station
Trafficking in Persons
Chang Mai University
Royal Project Foundation
Highland R & D Institute
Suan Prung Psychiatric Hospital
Mae Joe University
ONCB/Narcotics Control Office Region 5
ONCB/Crop Survey and Monitoring
Institute and Police Helicopter Unit in
Chiang Mai
11/20/2008
Klong Pai Correctional
Control Office region 3
Border Liaison Office (BLO)
11/24/2008
ONCB Enforcement Unit
Chiang Rai
Mekong River Opertional Unit
Royal Thai Navy
Chiang Saen
Royal Project Foundation Centes in
Chiang Mai
12/02/2008
Sensitive Investigative Unit
Narcotics and Mae Sai Unit
Royal Thai Police
12/03/2008
Sensitive Investigative Unit/Police
Krungthep Unit, Royal Thai Police
12/04/2008
Sensitive Investigative Unit/Chiang
Narcotics Suppression Bureau (PNSB)
Chiang Mai Unit
Royal Thai Police
12/11/2008
Sensitive Investigative Unit, Chiang Mai
Suppression Bureau (PNSB) Royal Thai
Police
12/16/2008
Sensitive Investigative Unit, Bagkok
Intelligence Center (BIC)
Police Narcotics Suppression Bureau
Royal Thai Police
01/02/2009
ONCB/Narcotics Control Office Region 4
Marine Police Sub-division 11
Blo/Nong Khai Center BLO/SRI
Chaing Mai Center
Blo/Bung Kan Center in Nong Khai
Blo/Mukdahan Center
Blo/Nakhon Panom Center
Blo/Kong Chiam Center
Blo/Khemmarat Center
Blo/Chong Mex Center in Ubon
01/15/09
Provincial Probation Office and Child
Station, PNSB Unit
Transnational Crime Center at Pattaya
Police Station
Provincial Probation Office in Rayong
BLO/POngnamron Center in Chantaburi
01/26/09
Border Liaison Office (BLO) in Ranong
ONCB/Narcotics Control Office Region 8
ONCB/Narcotics Control Office Region 9
Correction Institute for Drug Addicts
Police Narcotics Task Force Center (SKIC)
The total number of items subject to inspection was 1,980. The percentage inspected was 98%. The ILEA staff conducted a random inspection of the laptop computers at ILEA. Commodities such as vehicles are readily seen in use daily. Inventory was conducted on 100% of the inventory. The SIU staff had 443 items subject to inspection. Of that total, 98.5 % were monitored.
Aircraft
Eight Bell Helicopters were provided to the Police Aviation Division to be used in support of Drug Suppression Operations. They are in poor condition and those that are inoperable will be cannibalized for parts to keep the others flying.| Police Aviation Division | ||
| Helicopter 205A-1 | 6 | |
| Helicopter 206L | 2 | |
| Police Narcotics Suppression Bureau | ||
| Toyota sedan | 2 | |
| Toyota Landcruiser | 1 | |
| Toyota van | 1 | |
| Pickup Truck | 7 | |
| Isuzu | 7 | |
| Motorcycle | 5 | |
| Office of Narcotics Control Board | ||
| Toyota sedans | 4 | |
| Toyota van | 4 | |
| Pick-up truck | 3 | |
| Department of Special Investigation | ||
| Toyota Van | 1 | |
| Motorcycle | 1 | |
| Royal Thai Army | ||
| Toyota Van | 1 | |
| Isuzu | 2 | |
| Special Investigative Unit | ||
| Toyota sedans | 12 | |
| Honda SIU | 2 | |
| Toyoa Landcruiser | 1 | |
| Pickup trucks | 8 | |
| SUV | 1 | |
| Van | 1 | |
| Motorcycle | 27 | |
| ILEA | ||
| Sedan | 9 | |
| Station Wagon | 1 | |
| Van | 1 | |
| Marine Police | ||
| Patrol Boat | 1 | |
| Border Liaison Office | ||
| Speed boat | 14 | |
Training
In 2008, ILEA Bangkok conducted regional and bi-lateral training programs in support of the ILEA mission. The participating countries included: Brunei, Cambodia, the Peoples’ Republic of China (China), Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Timor Leste, Vietnam, and two special administrative areas of China, Hong Kong and Macao. Singapore, Brunei and Hong Kong are self-funded participants. These programs include training in basic police skills and specialized courses in post investigation, clandestine laboratory safety, crime scene management, personnel and physical security, narcotics unit commander training, small arms smuggling and explosives identification. ILEA received demand reduction training provided by the Colombo Plan. Training was provided to 763 participants.
In 2008, the Transnational Crime Affairs Section (TCAS) Bangkok, supported the following training/seminar missions: Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University (CMU)-90 participants, Department of Probation (DOP) -112 participants, and the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB)-313 participants. The DOP’s training course for the volunteer probation officers equips them to take rolls in surveillance of probationers. The ONCB’s seminar on the epidemic of drugs in Thailand develops and connects global research networks on substance abuse.
In August 2008, TCAS Bangkok funded ICITAP to conduct Forensic Science training courses to 90 participants for the Royal Thai Police and the Central Institute of Forensce Science, Ministry of Justice.
Communications Equipment
The vehicles enhance SIU member’s ability to perform their duties. They are used for basic transportation needs and surveillance of targets.
Unused Commodities
The following commodities were given to the Lao Border Liaison Offices (BLO) through the Office of the Narcotics Conrol Board (ONCB) in 2007: speed boats (40), digital cameras (2), PCS (14), printers (7), UPS’ (7), cellular phones (7), binoculars (3), GPS (3), VHF handheld radios (9), VHF base stations (7), filing cabinets (14), office desks and chairs (14), computer desks and chairs (10). Due to difficulties in the relationship between the Thai and the Lao Governments, the commodities are still at the Thai BLO, and warranties have run out on some items.Occasionally, items are unavailable for inventory inspection because they are being used in the field. Post requested that the RTP note the equipment UPC codes for verification and notify TCAS when the items become available.
Indonesian National Police (INP)
The INP cooperated extensively in the End Use Monitoring process by providing access to their facilities so ICITAP Technical Advisors and Program Staff could view their own inventory to help compare it with INL’s inventory list. The INP was very helpful in making the on-site inspections a quick and easy process by having all assets accounted for and on-site whenever requested.
Receipt
Access software and Word documents with a specific listing of the items donated with serial numbers and/or vehicles motor numbers, signed by ICITAP, and by the recipient’s representative were used to document the provision of the items provided to the INP.
On-Site Inspections
Nineteen (19) scheduled on-site inspections were performed as follows:
01/18/2008 - Police Language School, Jakarta, Java
02/23/2008 - Sibolangit District Police, North Sumatra
02/18/2008 - North Sulawesi Provincial Police, Medan
02/25/2008 - North Sumatra Provincial Police, Medan
03/10/2008 - Lampung Provincial Police, South Sumatra
03/24/2008 - Riau Provincial Police, Pekanbaru
02/11/2008 - East Java Provincial Police, Surabaya
07/04/2008 - Jambi Provincial Police, Jambi, Sumatra
04/21/2008 - Bangka Provincial Police, Bangka, Sumatra
04/25/2008 - Kepri Provincial Police, Riau Islands
06/09/2008 - CID Training Center, Bandung, Java
07/07/2008 - West Java Provincial Police, Semarang
11/17/2008 - Central Java Provincial Police, Semarang
03/11/2008 - South Sulawesi Provincial Police, Makasar
11/19/2008 - Batam District Police, Riau Islands
12/17/2008 - Tarakan District MP Command, East Kalimantan
01/12/2009 - National Police Academy, Semarang, Java
01/15/2008 - Advanced Officer Training Academy, Bandung
The total number of donated items subject to inspection in 2008 was 3,284. Forty-six (46) percent of the donated items were monitored.
Secondary Methods of Monitoring Resource Status
Through comparison of records and discussions with police officials another 5% of donated items were monitored. About 51% of all INL-donated items were monitored and accounted for in 2008.
Computer Equipment
One hundred forty-two (142) equipment packages, including CPU, UPS backup batteries, monitors, and printers were donated to the Indonesian National Police (INP). This equipment is used by the INP to write, print, file, share and exchange data and information regarding corruption, money laundering, Trafficking-in- Persons, narcotics interdiction and law enforcement issues with the relevant units and counterparts. One hundred and thirty-seven (137) are in good condition and being used in accordance with previously signed agreements. Four computer equipment packages are in poor condition.| Indonesian National Police | ||
| 31 foot safe boat | 15 | |
| Indonesian National Police | ||
| Mitsubishi trucks | 2 | |
| Ford F250 trucks | 2 | |
| Indonesian National Police | ||
| Mitsubishi buses | 2 | |
Construction
Demand Reduction Services
Training of police has resulted in better handling of TIP cases and the use of some basic tools such as a telephone help line to assist victims.
Vehicles
Vehicles provided to the INP have allowed investigators to quickly respond to information. They have facilitated the tactical movement of vessels for the Marine Police and reduced INP response time to critical incidents.
Communications Equipment
Installation of computers, with internet capability and digital storage equipment has upgraded the INP Marine Police capability to communicate with, monitor, and control assets. Prior to the implementation of an internet system, Marine Police depended almost exclusively on cellular phones to receive reports from field units.
Laboratory Equipment
The upgrade of all provincial forensics labs has substantially increased the INP’s capacity to collect, identify, and preserve evidence. The addition of an Optical Disk Forensics System at the National Forensics Lab has increased the ability to prosecute cases related to intellectual property leading to the largest seizure of pirated pharmaceuticals in history.
Unmonitored Resources
About 49% of the commodity inventory was not monitored due to the lack of opportunity to travel to remote locations where equipment has been transferred. Due to budget restrictions, unless a program has a scheduled training or assistance planned, on-site inspections are not possible. The distance between INP commands prevent travel to all but a select few each year. Indonesia is a vast archipelago stretching over 17,000 islands. The INP is responsible for public safety and security for each island and finds itself challenged to visit even a majority of their own islands each year. Attempts to contact units which have received assistance are made but, due to personnel changes, it is often difficult to track down a responsible party who knows where some items are located. Whenever possible, senior INP offices are contacted in the province to confirm the condition and status of all INL funded commodities.
Inventory System
There are some gaps in ICITAP Jakarta’s inventory records due to a historical lack of funding for staff to conduct regular End Use Monitoring visits. ICITAP Jakarta has attempted to mitigate these gaps by requiring program personnel to visit sites, where INL funded commodities have been donated, within a reasonable distance from a training site. While effective, this reduces the time available for training.
Word documents with a specific listing of the items donated with serial and vehicle identification number signed by DEA and a representative of the recipient agencies are used to document the provision of items.
On-Site Inspections
04/28/2008 - INP| Indonesia National Police | ||
| Sedans | 10 | |
| SUV’s | 1 | |
| Motorcycles | 21 | |
Communications Equipment
The communications equipment helped improve operational efficiency during moving surveillance operations, replacing the use of cellular telephones with limited units to two-way communications.
Vehicles
The vehicles and motorcycles provided to the INO/Narkoba have contributed to several successful long-term investigations where extensive surveillance operations proved crucial in dismantling narcotics trafficking organizations.
Unmonitored Resources
About 50% of inventory is unaccounted for. However, a majority of the equipment is mobile in nature and is over five years old. The recent assignment of a DEA agent in Jakarta will allow or a smoother process in 2009.EUM Program Coordinator
Program Manager, Mike Carroll, Tel: 856205528969; carrollmw@state.gov
Program Assistant, Souvanh Inthalusa, Tel: 856205520718, souvanhix@state.gov
Program Assistant, Hatsadong Chanthavongsa, Tel: 856205509913; hatsadongcx@state.gov
EUM Program Responsibilities
The Law Enforcement and Narcotics Section (LENS) has one EUM Coordinator and two section staff who assist with the EUM program. The coordinators implement monitoring procedures, carry out inventory checks and compliance reviews, and oversee the disposal of surplus and hazardous materials. They also confirm and evaluate the methods used to check inventories at different locations throughout Laos.
Inventory System
Donated items are entered into the inventory system which is maintained by source of project funding and location of commodities. The inventory is periodically reviewed against the corresponding records maintained by the Lao National Committee for Drug Control and Supervision (LCDC).
Receipt
A designated senior official of the recipient agency signs a receipt of for the items delivered.
Other US Government Assistance
DEA
Counterpart Agencies
Lao National Committee for Drug Control and Supervision (LCDC)
The Ministry of Public Security
Drug Control Department
Provincial Counter Narcotics Police Units
Lao Customs Department, Ministry of Finance
On-site Inspections
During 2008, the EUM Coordinator and two Program Staff members conducted on-site visits to GOL offices throughout the country to review controls and inventories of U.S. provided resources. These visits were conducted at eight provinces and at the Vientiane National Capital. At the eight provinces, the Provincial Counter-Narcotics Police Units (CNU’s) and the Provincial Drug Control Committees (PCDC’s) were visited once during the year. The Lao Customs Department was visited at least once during the year. Two provincially operated drug treatment and rehabilitation centers at Savannqakhet Province and Vientiane National Capital (Somsanga Drug Treatment Center) were visited several times during the course of year. The LCDC and the DCD (Central Police Drug Control Department) were visited monthly or bi-monthly during the course of the year.
The LENS performed unscheduled onsite inspections during all visits in the field offices to randomly check and reconfirm the use of donation equipment.
Inspections include a check of the using agency inventories of commodities and available maintenance or use records, verification of serial or unique identifying numbers, verification of condition of items, and interviews with GOL officials concerning use and impact. LENS allows reasonable exceptions to one hundred percent physical verification every year for cases such as documented absence of a motorcycle with an official on official travel when an inspection occurs.
Non-expendable items without unique identifying numbers are verified by inventory number and physical count. When items are found to be inoperable, using agencies are requested to secure and provide estimates for costs of repair. When the repair cost exceeds the cost of a comparable new item, LENS completes a report of survey to document the circumstance and the item is deleted from inventory. When an item is determined to have no reasonable residual value, or when the items are in a location so physically remote that shipment to the capital is not economically feasible, the host government agency is informed by letter that the item should be disposed of as junk. When an item is reported lost, stolen or destroyed, the using agency is requested to provide a written report of the pertinent circumstance, including a statement of whether any individual has been determined to have been been the primary agent of the lost or destruction and if so, what disciplinary action was taken.
The following on-site inspections were conducted in 2008:
06/17/2008 - CNU, Customs Offices and PCDC Bokeo
06/25/2008 - CNU, PCDC Luang Namtha
07/03/2008 - CNU and PCDC Champasack
11/05/2008 - CNU, Customs Office, PCDC Savannakhet
12/01/2008 - CNU, PCDC Houaphan
12/21/2008 - CNU, PCDC Phongsaly
12/23/2008 - CNU, PCDC Oudomxai
07/12/2008 - CNU, PCDC Luang Prabang
Monthly - LCDC, Vientiane
Bi-monthly - DCD, Vientiane Somsanga (Vientiane) Drug Treatment Center
10/09/2008 - Savannakhet Province, Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Center
All donated items were subject to inspection. About ninety (90) percent of all items were inspected. In cases where items were not directly inspected, the equipment was lost or misappropriated, a key to a storage cabinet was missing, or a motorcycle was sent to a repair garage to far way to inspect. These few anomilies were resolved later on subsequent visits to the Lao agency offices.
Secondary Methods of Monitoring Resource Status
The LENS staff hold discussions with GOL counterpart agencies frequently and during the course of such discussions or field visits to provincial agencies, the status of donated equipment is reviewed, physically confirmed, and issues relating to maintenance and repair considered and resolved for follow-up action. The LENS staff also reviewed the inventory records kept by the host government agencies to ascertain whether their records are consistent with LENS inventory records.
Communications Equipment
Communications equipment includes items that have been donated since 2005. The equipment is used for conducting drug law enforcement activities and the management of drug crop control and prevention/treatment programs. The equipment is as follows: Vientiane Province PCDC, 1 fax machine; Bokeo, 1 fax machine; Luang Prabang, 1 fax machine and 5 mobile phones; Oudomxai, 5 mobile phones; Phong Saly, 1 fax machine, 1 wireless “Win” phone unit, and 5 mobile phones; Safannakhet, 1 fax machine, 1 landline telephone unit, and 5 mobile phones; Luang Namtha, 1 fax machine.
Computer Equipment
The usable life of a computer and associated equipment such as printers or other peripherals is three years, due especially to hot weather, high humidity, lack of air conditioning, dust, and a lack of repair or maintenance personnel. Laptop computers were donated to the Central Lao Customs Department (2) and the LCDC (2).
Miscellaneous Equipment
Bullet proof vests were distributed to police counternarcotics units at eight provinces and the Central Police Drug Control Department as follows: Bokeo (7); Luang Prabang (3); Oudomxai (3); Savannakhet (14); Luang Namtha (6), Houaphan (4); Champasack (2); Phong Saly (1), and DCD
Vientiane (3).
Vessels
Two local standard “Mekong River” patrol boats, manufactured in Thailand, were provided to the Lao Customs Unit at Bokeo Province on the Mekong River in the “Golden Triangle” area adjacent to Thailand and Burma. These boats are used on the Mekong River in Thailand and Laos and equipped with 2,500 cc engines, easy to repair locally, and suitable for tropical climate use.
| Lao Customs Unit | ||
| Long tailed engine (2,500 cc) patrol boats | 2 | |
| Law Enforcement | ||
| Motorcycle | 20 | |
| Crop Control | ||
| Motorcycle | 14 | |
| Demand Reduction | ||
| Motorcycle | 2 | |
| Light-weight truck | 1 | |
Construction Projects
The renovation of an existing women’s dormitory at the Somsanga Drug Treatment Center near Vientiane National Capital completed in 2008 was inspected. The construction involved repairs to existing structures such as shower facilities, windows water wells and pumps. There were no significant problems associated with the repairs.
USG-donated equipment has had a positive impact on the ability of the Government of Laos to implement activities and programs for the interdiction of narcotics, reduce the demand for narcotic drugs through drug addict treatment and rehabilitation, and to eliminate to a very low level the amount of opium poppy crop planted in the Northern provinces. The number of drug traffickers arrested and the amount of illicit drugs seized has increased over the past year. Authoritative numbers are difficult to ascertain, but the overall trend is up according to available data. For example, during 2008 the Vientiane National Capital Narcotics Control Police (CNU) and the Department for Drug Control (DCD), with DEA technical assistance, conducted first-time “international controlled delivery” and arrested, with Thai cooperation, a West African drug trafficker who had transported cocaine into Laos via an international courier. The number of drug addicts (mainly opium, heroin, and methamphetamine) treated and rehabilitated in the past year were over 3,000. The amount of opium poppy planted decreased to about 1,500 hectares in 2008 from some 2,000 hectares in 1998.
However, the equipment donated by the USG could no doubt be put to more effective use. The level of motivation and leadership among Lao Government agencies working in law enforcement, demand reduction, and crop control continues to be low, leading to less than optimal use of their equipment and resources. Human resource and capacity building remain important goals in post's program to help ensure that donated equipment is used more effectively and efficiently to achieve better results.
Communications Equipment
The communications support has enabled host government counterparts and agencies to enhance their contact with central government units, other agencies in the provinces and to enable direct and improved contacts with the LENS office and its staff. All such donated equipment is of a low technical nature and relatively easy to repair and maintain, given local limitations and geography.
Vehicles
The vehicles provided under post’s program have proven to be effective and necessary equipment for counternarcotics police units, drug addiction treatment programs and crop control programs to accomplish their basic program objective and operational activities.
Computer Equipment
Computer equipment provided with technical support is increasingly well used by law enforcement agencies, drug treatment center, and to a lesser extent, provincial drug control committees engaged in crop control and opium substitution programs. Most CNU’s now use computers.
Unmonitored Resources
Approximately ninety (90) percent of resources were monitored during the past year. Post plans to schedule “second visits” in 2009 to inspect resources that could not be monitored.
To meet the INL EUM reporting and other post reporting deadlines, post has approved the addition of a part-time EFM.
Repair and Maintenance of Commodities
The host government is able to absorb some of the costs of repair and maintenance. However, as a general rule, required financing for the repair and maintenance of commodities and equipment for damage sustained through normal use, are paid for by LENS. There is no central host government authority, such as LCDC, to cover the repair and maintenance of commodities. Instead, the individual line agency departments and provincial administration offices cover as much of the costs as possible. Where the host government has no budget allocated for such repairs, the LENS program pays for such repairs if required.
Use of INL-Donated Equipment
Post plans to make improvements in its End Use Monitoring in 2009. Although post is generally able to visit all sites during the course of the year, post plans to better inform host country offices, especially those in the provinces, of the policies and requirements of INL regarding custody, use, and repair and maintenance of USG donated equipment. Post will ask the principal GOL counterpart agency to send a letter to all appropriate provincial agencies through proper channels, to inform them in the Lao language of the importance of good record-keeping and proper usage of USG donated equipment. Furthermore, in 2009 post will continue the process of transferring “junk” equipment from its EUM records according to INL procedures.
