Participants of the conference pose for a group photo:

At the conference, nearly 200 delegates from Vietnamese and Cambodian anti-drug forces discussed the recent surge in crimes, especially those involved drugs, as well as the outcomes and shortcomings of their join work in fighting crimes so far.

They agreed to collaborate in investigating, smashing drug rings, and arresting wanted suspects. They also stressed the importance of controlling drug hot spots on roads, waterways, airports, and ports and of boosting social security and order management in border areas.

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Public Security Le Quy Vuong recommended police and authorities in Vietnam’s border provinces work closely with their Cambodian counterparts, particularly in organising working teams to coordinate collaboration and in maintaining their border liaison offices.

He tasked the Drug Crime Investigation Police Department with joining Cambodia’s anti anti-drug police department under the Ministry of Interior to fight drug crime, capture wanted suspects and form a relevant legal corridor.

The Vietnamese department was also assigned to work on organising an international conference on cooperation to fight trans-border drug crime, with the participation of regional countries, including Cambodia.

According to the Ministry of Public Security, in the first six months of 2019, competent agencies busted 13,000 drug-related cases, arresting 21,000 suspects and seizing 6 tonnes of drugs in the Vietnam-Cambodia border area.

Hot spots of drug trafficking consist of Vietnam’s Tay Ninh, An Giang, and Kien Giang provinces and Cambodia’s Kampong Cham, Svay Rieng, Prey Veng, Takeo, and Campot provinces.-VNA