Pakistan is the pilot country for the new Air Cargo segment of the UNODC-WCO Container Control Programme (CCP), which seeks to establish Air Cargo Control Units at selected airports to detect illicit goods.

The proven and successful organizational concept and structured training approach of the Container Control Programme is now also being implemented in the air cargo environment.

WCO cooperates closely with UNODC and ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) in implementing this new branch of the CCP, which started activities in late 2015.

It is particularly rewarding for the international organizations involved that the pilot unit at Karachi International Airport successfully implemented the CCP Air Cargo training, provided by trainers of the UK Border Force and WCO, and recently seized separately 2 shipments destined for Damman (Saudi Arabia) and Dubai (UAE).

A total of 4.6 kg of heroin and 8.9 kg of ICE (crystal meth) were concealed in marble handicrafts. Three persons were arrested in Pakistan as an initial result of the investigations.

The establishment of the Air Cargo Control Unit in Karachi was financially supported by the governments of Denmark and USA.

WCO, UNODC and ICAO will expand the Air Cargo segment of the Container Control Programme to other airports in Asia, Latin America and the MENA region.