Print article

ASEAN Task Force on drug combat convenes 4th meeting

VGP – The 4th meeting of the ASEAN Seaport Interdiction Task Force took place in Ha Noi from September 9-10 with the participation of 60 delegates from nine ASEAN member States, ASEAN Secretariat and China.

September 11, 2019 6:08 PM GMT+7

Lt. Gen. Pham Van Cac, Director of the Investigation Police Department of Drug-related Crimes addresses the meeting. Photo: VGP

According to the United Nations Organization on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), about 420 million containers move around the world by sea every year but less than 2% of them are controlled, posing risks of illegal transportation of drugs and banned goods.

Addressing the meeting, Lt. Gen.  Pham Van Cac, Director of the Investigation Police Department of Drug-Related Crimes under the Ministry of Public Security said illicit transportation of drug by sea has been complicated and on the rise.

Since 2004, countries around the world have seized 265 tons of cocaine, 71 tons of cannabis, more than 6 tons of heroin, and other substances used for drug production.

In ASEAN, competent forces have detected series of large-scale drug cases, including Malaysia’s seizure of over 2 tons of methamphetamine at Klang seaport in 2018.

Cac, however, said drug crime combat remain limited as drugs are often transported through many countries before reaching the targeted destinations, causing difficulties for investigation agencies.

He called for active development of initiatives on drug combat cooperation in the region and mobilization of more resources for drug combat.

The participants to the event agreed that the Task Force, initiated in 2016, is an important mechanism for the region to share experience and enhance drug combat cooperation among countries in the region.

They vowed to continue fostering coordination efforts in fighting drug crime among ASEAN member States./.

By Quang Minh