Procurement of Ten Drug Detecting Dogs for the Iranian Anti-Narcotics Police Canine Centre

Tehran, 29 February 2024 – The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in the Islamic Republic of Iran has successfully completed the procurement of ten trained drug detecting dogs for allocation to the Anti-Narcotics Police (ANP) canine centre, under sub-programme 1 of UNODC Country Partnership Programme (CPP) aiming to further increase the operational capacity of the Iranian ANP.  

Each procured drug detecting dog is assigned to a handler, who has been trained by two professional and senior international instructors. These instructors conducted a two-week training for the centre’s handlers to expand their capacities in tackling illicit drug trafficking throughout the country. During this training, the instructors improved the handlers’ knowledge in the areas of selection, physiology and psychology, nutrition, healthcare, and training of canine dogs.

The practical sessions, provided the opportunity for the handlers to observe, compare and update their knowledge. The search techniques and behavioural correction in dogs were observed and assessed by the instructors of this training.

Iran remains as one of the major transit routes for drug trafficking from Afghanistan to European countries. UNODC has built a strong partnership with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran in several areas including the capacity building for the Iranian law enforcements and has been providing technical assistant to the Iranian Government in their fight against illicit trafficking of drugs and precursors. The Iranian ANP canine trainers, trained by international seiner instructors, will use their knowledge during their daily work at border crossings around the country to conduct search on vehicle, containers and cargos passing through the legal entry points. The importance of these dogs is that using them is considered a convenient method for identification of hidden concealments of illicit drugs.   

This procurement was conducted as part of the activities foreseen in the framework of the sub-programme 1 “Border Management and Illicit Trafficking” of UNODC Country Partnership Programme for the Islamic Republic of Iran through the generous donation of the Government of Japan. 

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For additional information please contact Amir Hossein Vaziri (Mr.)

Programme Associate, UNODC Country Office in the Islamic Republic of Iran

Tel.: +98 21 88 87 83 77, email: amirhossein.vaziri@un.org