DUSHANBE, July 25, Asia-Plus — On July 25, the U.S. Embassy, through the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Assistance Program, handed over a Forensic Laboratory and a Police Academy Training Center to the Ministry of Interior (MoI). 

The total cost for the Forensic Lab and Police Academy projects, including equipment, comes to $1,400,000.  The Embassy plans to provide additional assistance for both projects in the coming years.  

The International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Assistance Program (INL) began providing assistance to the Ministry of Internal Affairs in early 2005.  These programs included development of improved facilities at the main Police Academy, Forensics Laboratory, and analytical center; assistance for the Counter Narcotics Unit and Trafficking in Persons/Organized Crime Unit; provision of a computer lab, language lab, and training classrooms at all facilities; and very specialized police equipment for investigative units.

Since 2005 INL has provided more than $15 million in support to the various law enforcement and security agencies of the Government of Tajikistan.