The UPU and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) maintain a strong partnership aimed at enhancing the integrity and security of the international postal supply chain. This cooperation focuses on combating illicit trafficking, particularly in the areas of synthetic drugs, firearms and other prohibited goods. During the 67th session of the UNODC Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), the UPU co-sponsored a side event to highlight joint efforts in addressing the flow of new psychoactive substances through postal networks. The UPU also took part in the UNODC CND 2024 intersessional meeting to amplify the role of designated postal operators and postal services in this global issue.
- Project Hermes: Designed to enhance postal security in the Balkans by fostering collaboration among postal operators, customs authorities and law enforcement agencies, this project focuses on identifying and mitigating the movement of firearms and related components within the international postal supply chain.
- UN Toolkit on Synthetic Drugs: The UPU contributed to the development of this interactive virtual toolkit, which includes a module dedicated to postal security. The toolkit, which was finalized in 2020, supports operators in identifying and mitigating synthetic drug threats in the mail stream.
- Capacity building and innovation: The UPU has provided technical expertise to the UNODC Global Firearms Programme to design both virtual and instructor-led training sessions for supply chain focal points. These efforts include guidance on the correct use of radiation dosimeters for screening purposes. The UPU has also presented advances in machine learning tools, such as the dangerous goods search tool, to support early identification of illicit items.
More information on the UN Toolkit on synthetic drugs: click here
More about the postal security module of the UN toolkit on synthetic drugs: click here
Postal networks in the fight against drug trafficking
