Drug smuggling and database access top agenda of Americas conference

High on the agenda will be expansion of access to INTERPOL’s databases beyond the National Central Bureaus and how countries across the region can work together to tackle international crimes such as drug smuggling, organized crime, human trafficking and counterfeiting.

More than 50 delegates representing 30 countries will participate in the conference.

Eleven countries in the Caribbean region expanded access to INTERPOL’s stolen and lost travel documents database to field officers – such as airport and border agents – using the latest state-of-the-art MIND/FIND technology to provide security support for the 2007 Cricket World Cup. Since then, the countries have made almost three million searches, resulting in 480 hits.

A further 11 countries in the Americas have expanded access to Interpol's databases to field officers - not using MIND/FIND - and eight other countries are considering project proposals for expansion of INTERPOL services. Security support included database access is also planned for key international events to be held in the region in 2008.

Delegates will hear about new tools being developed by INTERPOL, such as the Structured Communication and Response System, which will enable specialised investigative units worldwide to directly query all databases quickly via one interface.

'This will revolutionise the exchange of police information, because it will bring every investigator in the world within a click of a mouse to the wealth of police information that is available through INTERPOL’s international channels,' said INTERPOL’s Secretary General, Ronald K. Noble.

Not only will building co-operation within the region be on the agenda, but also the value of INTERPOL’s Sub-Regional Bureaus co-operating worldwide, as illustrated by a new project to combat drug traffickers who use West Africa as a transit platform for drugs originating in South America and destined for Europe.