DUSHANBE, August 19, 2016, Asia-Plus – On Thursday August 18, The United States Ambassador to Tajikistan, Elisabeth Millard, General-Lieutenant Rajabali Rahmonali of the Border Guard Forces of Tajikistan, and other U.S. and Tajik officials, attended the handover ceremony of $12 million dollars’ worth of U.S. equipment to Tajikistan’s Border Guard Agency.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe, the United States government donated $9 million dollars of communication equipment and $3 million dollars of J8 Jeep Wranglers.

This equipment was funded by the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Counter-Narcotics Program and represents the United States’ continued commitment to counter the trafficking of illegal drugs in Tajikistan.

CENTCOM supplied Motorola radios with TURBO-net software capable of tracking personnel on the ground using GPS, RF-7800W radios with Ethernet technology to allow for connectivity at distances greater than 160 km, other technical communications equipment and software, and 50 J8 Jeep Wranglers.  These vehicles and communications equipment will be used to increase Tajikistan’s Border Guard Agency’s ability to identify, confiscate, and prevent narcotics crossing Tajikistan’s borders.

Ambassador Millard noted that the communications equipment and vehicle delivery demonstrates U.S. commitment to the government of Tajikistan to eradicate illegal drug trade.  She thanked the Border Guards for their continued efforts in countering illegal drug trafficking and for their willingness to partner with the United States.

Since 2006, the CENTCOM Counter-Narcotics program has provided over $151 million dollars to enhance and produce a self-sustaining, viable, and effective counter-narcotic force within Tajikistan.