The Department of State’s Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) plays a major role in developing policies and programs to combat international narcotics and crime.  Dedicated to strengthening criminal justice systems, countering the flow of illegal narcotics, and minimizing transnational crime, INL plays a key role in leading the development and synchronization of U.S. international law enforcement policies and assistance.  INL’s mission is to minimize the impact of international crime and illegal drugs on the United States and its citizens through providing effective foreign assistance and through fostering global cooperation.

The INL Office in Dushanbe is headed by a Foreign Service Officer and includes a Senior Law Enforcement Advisor, a Criminal Justice Advisor, and local Tajik program managers.  The office focuses on police training, community policing, police reform, border security, trafficking in persons, domestic violence, countering violent extremism, counter narcotics, drug demand reduction, and rule of law programs.

The Mission’s INL Office coordinates and implements law enforcement, border security and criminal justice technical assistance programs in Tajikistan funded by the Department of State according to a U.S./Tajik bilateral agreement.  INL’s primary project implementers in Tajikistan include the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, the International Organization for Migration, and the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative, as well as local NGOs. The Office works closely with the Border Guard Service, the Ministry of the Internal Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Prosecutor General’s Office, Drug Control Agency, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Customs Service, and other agencies to combat organized crime, narcotics, corruption, and trafficking in persons and to promote justice sector reform and rule of law in Tajikistan.