THE Solomon Islands Customs and Excise Division (SICED) officers completed a train-the-trainer and hands-on Operator Course to enhance their ability to detect and identify border-controlled narcotics last week (June 02 – 04), at the Customs Headquarters in Honiara.

Operational and technical officers from key divisions, including Seaport Container and Cargo Examination, Airport Central Operations, Post Clearance Audit (PCA) – Compliance and Enforcement, and Revenue and Postal Parcel Unit, attended the training.

Led by the Australian Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Border Force, the training covered key Customs operational areas such as narcotics identification, safe handling of hazardous substances, sampling techniques, data interpretation, troubleshooting, and the practical use of substance detection equipment.

A trainee participant prepares a training sample as part of the course training practical exercises.

The training aims to provide critical skills and enable officers in their role to maintain competency in the use of the equipment in the fight against transnational organised crime.

“These initiatives help to see that Solomon Islands Customs is at the front line of helping identify drugs and stop them coming into their community and into their country,” LA Porte stressed.

Acting Team Leader for Customs Airport Central Operation highlighted that the training significantly enhanced his role by improving his ability to identify, detect, and respond to narcotics-related threats at the Airport point of entry at the Border.

“As a Customs officer who is involved in risk management and airport operations, the knowledge gained will strengthen our operational effectiveness and support evidence-based targeting and enforcement activities. It also improves our broader understanding of modern detection techniques and international best practice.

“These topics are directly relevant to my role in Customs as they enhance my ability to identify high-risk consignments, passengers, and cargo control,” the Airport operations team leader explained.

Customs Technical Officer at the Seaport Container Examination Unit said the training enhances her role by improving her ability to identify major narcotic substances and common precursor chemicals accurately and efficiently.

Another two officers try to hands-on the testing device at the practical scene.

“It provides me with practical skills in testing various forms of suspected drugs, including pills, powders, resins, and liquids, during examinations and investigations.

“These skills will strengthen my effectiveness in conducting examinations, gathering evidence, and supporting law enforcement activities related to narcotics detection and identification.

Passenger and Cargo Control Programme (PCCP) training was conducted on 01st –05th May, supported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Australian Government through the Australian Border Force (ABF), the World Customs Organization (WCO), and implemented by the Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MoFT) of the Solomon Islands Government. This training is the first of many capacity-building activities to be delivered under the PCCP, which will extend into 2027 and beyond.

The Solomon Islands is emerging as a key location for illicit drugs and as a transit point to larger countries like Australia and New Zealand. Therefore, strengthening Customs capabilities and working with our other law enforcement partners, including like-minded international partners, to deter, detect, and disrupt transnational organised crime and protect the community, is one of our key priorities.

This important training is critical to the shared regional challenges in addressing transnational organised crime and will enable the Customs and Excise Division to more efficiently and effectively manage goods and people who cross our border, through intelligence-driven pre-border targeting, risk management, and inter-agency cooperation in the Solomon Islands. Officers received official certificates upon completion.

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• SICED PRESS

With Photos

First Defender RM Operator course training participants posed with their official training Certificates after the training.

Customs Officers learn how to analyse and record substance results.

Senior Competency Assessment Training Officer (SCATO) instructs officers on how to use the substance detection equipment.