2005 Programs and Events

Embassy Sponsors Training for Senior Police, Customs Officials (Feb. 10, 2005)

Ambassador Patricia Haslach presents a certificate to a participant in the course.

With support from the Embassy Narcotics Affairs Section, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency conducted a two-week training course for 22 southern provincial counternarcotics unit (CNU) police officers and 10 Lao Customs officers in Pakse, Champassak province, concluding on February 10. Officials and participants praised the training as a good opportunity for inexperienced officers to receive basic counternarcotics training. This effort complemented a similar training course given for northern police and Customs officers in April and May 2004.

Additionally, this was the first instance where DEA was authorized to provide "hands-on" tactical training to include the use of simulation and defensive tactics. Demonstrating the embassy's commitment to this training effort, the Ambassador attended the closing ceremony and presented certificates to the participants. The Ambassador urged GOL law enforcement authorities to improve operational cooperation with DEA.