DUSHANBE, July 30, 2015, Asia-Plus - Director of the Drug Control Agency (DCA) Rustam Nazarzoda on July 29 received the U.S. delegation, led by James Callahan, Senior Program Advisor for Central Asia, the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).

According to the DCA press center, Christopher Green, Narcotics and Law Enforcement Chief, U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe also attended the meeting.

Tajik drug control chief reportedly briefed guests on the current drug situation in Tajikistan and DCA’s cooperation with law enforcement agencies of Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.

Nazarzoda noted that offices of the counternarcotics agency would be opened in Darvoz and Jirgatol districts in August-September this year within the framework of cooperation with relevant agency of the United States.  Besides, DCA’s office will be opened in Isfara in October or November this year under support of Russia’s Federal Drug Control Service (FSKN).

The sides reportedly discussed issues related to further expansion of bilateral and regional cooperation, said the DCA press center.

INL works to keep Americans safe at home by countering international crime, illegal drugs, and instability abroad. INL helps countries deliver justice and fairness by strengthening their police, courts, and corrections systems.  These efforts reduce the amount of crime and illegal drugs reaching U.S. shores.  INL works in more than 90 countries.

INL combats crime by helping foreign governments build effective law enforcement institutions that counter transnational crime—everything from money laundering, cybercrime, and intellectual property theft to trafficking in goods, people, weapons, drugs, or endangered wildlife.  INL combats corruption by helping governments and civil society build transparent and accountable public institutions—a cornerstone of strong, stable, and fair societies that offer a level playing field for U.S. businesses abroad.

The Drug Control Agency under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan was established with the support of UNODC project in 2000.  The DCA has become the lead drug enforcement agency in the country with the capacity to undertake long term intelligence-led operations.