Viet Nam, Australia enhance drug control cooperation

The conference was co-organized by the Counter-Narcotic Police Department under the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security and the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

Speaking at the event, Director of the Counter-Narcotics Police Department Nguyen Van Vien said, as trade and transport of large amount of synthetic drugs from the 'Golden Triangle' (border area of Laos, Thailand and Myanmar) to Viet Nam tends to increase, the department has stepped up collaboration with neighboring countries and other ASEAN Member States in the fight against drugs. 

The nation has actively participated in the Mekong Subregion mechanisms, expanded information exchange networks with a number of European countries, and fostered collaboration with crucial partners in drug prevention and combat, he noted. 

Nguyen called on both sides to strengthen coordination and highlight responsibility in early preventing drugs. 

AFP Deputy Commissioner Lesa Gale said, drug trafficking and other related crimes continue to pose threats to both countries, adding that the AFP expects to promote stronger ties with the Vietnamese agency in coping with the threat. 

Under an agreement signed between the two agencies, both sides will focus on such areas as sharing information, and experience in drug prevention and combat; verifying information related to drug crimes; deploying joint investigation for transnational drug cases involving the two countries; enhancing capacity training on drug crime investigation skills; and providing technical equipment for the fight against drugs./.