Official Handover Ceremony at the Imam Khomeini International Airport

Tehran, 04 August 2024 – The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in the Islamic Republic of Iran in an official ceremony handed over one X-ray Body Scanner. The official event was organized at the Imam Khomeini International Airport, with the presence of representatives from the UNODC Iran, the Drug Control Headquarters (DCHQ) and the Anti-Narcotics Police of the Islamic Republic of Iran. 

UNODC Iran successfully completed the procurement of three (3) X-ray Body Scanners and installed them in three Iranian international airports, namely Imam Khomeini International Airport, Gorgan International Airport and Ahvaz International Airport. This Office also provided pertinent specialized trainings for end users of each device, under the guidance and supervision of professional technical engineers. 

Due to its geographic proximity to Afghanistan, the Islamic Republic of Iran serves as both a destination and a transit route for illicit drug trafficking, especially opioids and recently methamphetamine produced in Afghanistan. In response to this challenge, the UNODC Iran under its Sub-Programme 1 “Border Management and Illicit Trafficking” continues to support, both technically and financially, the national drug control efforts, through implementation of various activities. 

The installation of the X-ray body scanners at the airports aimed at preventing the illegal trafficking of drugs though air border of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The scanners are crucial for efficiently identifying narcotic drugs concealed in body or swallowed.

Dr. Mahdi Javaheri, Director General of the International Relations Office of DCHQ, in his statements expressed his gratitude to the UNODC for continuous support extended to the Iranian controlling entities and hoped the support will continue and increase in the future, considering the high demand for provision of controlling equipment, especially X-ray devices.

Procurement of controlling equipment is among the main activities of UNODC Iran under its Sub-programme 1 “Border Management and Illicit Trafficking”. This initiative has been incorporated into the UNODC Iran Country Partnership Programme (CPP) based on needs assessments and proposals from national counterparts. This outstanding achievement is an indicator of successful cooperation between UNODC Iran and its national counterparts, also clearly highlights the positive and significant role of UNODC in the process of drug control and border management.

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For additional information please contact Sougand Babaei (Ms.)

National Programme Assistant, UNODC Country Office in the Islamic Republic of Iran

Tel.: +98 21 88 87 83 77, email: sougand.babaei@un.org