Coordinating efforts to dismantle cross-border drug trafficking in Vietnam.

On November 29th, in Ho Chi Minh City, the Drug Crime Investigation Department (C04) of the Ministry of Public Security held a conference to summarize the results of the 2023 campaign to raise awareness, attack, and suppress drug-related crimes along the Vietnam -Cambodia border.

Attending the conference were Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Vien, Director of Department C04, head of the Vietnamese delegation; and General Khing Sa Rat, Director of the Anti-Drug Crime Department, General Directorate of the National Police, head of the Cambodian delegation.

Phối hợp triệt phá tội phạm ma túy xuyên biên giới Việt Nam - Campuchia - Ảnh 1. — Police seized a large quantity of drugs in a joint operation.

Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Vien stated that Vietnam and Cambodia are promoting the implementation of a border trade agreement to facilitate bilateral trade cooperation. Border crossings are being upgraded, administrative procedures are being gradually improved, and the time for customs clearance of goods, people, and vehicles is being shortened. While this creates many advantages, it also poses a risk of being exploited by criminal organizations for cross-border criminal activities, including drug trafficking. According to the Director of Department C04, in recent years, along the Vietnam -Cambodia border, the illegal trafficking and transportation of narcotics from the "Golden Triangle" region through Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia to Vietnam , and then to a third country for consumption, has tended to increase and is fraught with complexities.

Notably, there has also been a situation where foreigners enter Vietnam under the guise of tourism , visiting relatives, or business investment, disguising themselves and colluding with domestic individuals to establish "front" businesses and companies, which are essentially used to organize the illegal production, sale, and transportation of narcotics. C04 assesses that these factors have made the drug problem in both countries even more complex over the past year. In the first six months of 2023, police in 10 provinces along the Vietnam -Cambodia border detected 1,902 cases, arrested 3,595 individuals, and seized 65.6 kg of heroin, 8 kg of cannabis, and over 591 kg and 99,176 tablets of synthetic drugs. Along the entire border, police in 10 provinces bordering Cambodia and Ho Chi Minh City have persuaded 21 suspects to surrender and arrested them; approximately 13 drug-related fugitives are currently believed to be hiding in Cambodia.

A notable achievement recently has been the improved coordination in combating drug crimes. A typical coordinated case occurred on April 9th in Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Thap, Tien Giang , Can Tho, Binh Thuan, and Cambodia. C04, in collaboration with Vietnamese and Cambodian authorities, led the investigation into Special Case 568P, resulting in the arrest of 12 suspects and the seizure of 44 kg of various synthetic drugs, 19 kg of heroin, and other related items and assets. Simultaneously, Cambodian authorities arrested 8 suspects and seized 11 kg of synthetic drugs.

Coordinate public oversight of the casino business sector.

Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Vien noted that in the coming period, the activities of drug criminals along the border between the two countries will not decrease, and may even tend to increase, becoming more complex in terms of scale, nature, and scope of operation, requiring both sides to strengthen cooperation even further.

Specifically, the plan aims to strengthen and improve the quality of information exchange on drug and precursor control through the hotline between the two countries. It also involves coordinating investigations, verification, and dismantling drug trafficking rings, arresting criminals and wanted individuals involved in drug-related crimes. Furthermore, it emphasizes strengthening overt controls in key drug-related areas such as land and water routes, airports, and seaports along the border, as well as sensitive areas like casinos; and enhancing the management of social order and security in the border provinces of both countries.

At the same time, it is necessary to continue coordinating and launching intensive campaigns to raise awareness, attack, and suppress drug-related crimes in the border areas of the two countries. Regular meetings between the functional forces of the two countries should be maintained to exchange and share information and coordinate drug prevention and control efforts. The police forces of the border provinces of both countries and relevant localities need to closely coordinate with the functional forces on the other side, especially by deploying task forces to coordinate the fight against and dismantle transnational drug trafficking rings between Vietnam and Cambodia. The effectiveness of the Border Liaison Office (BLO) should be maintained and improved in coordinating information exchange and enhancing the effectiveness of drug prevention and control across the Vietnam -Cambodia border. Surveys should be conducted and proposals made for the establishment of new BLO offices in the border areas of the two countries...

On this occasion, authorized by the Minister of Public Security, Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Vien presented certificates of commendation to 30 collectives and individuals of the Ministry of Interior of the Kingdom of Cambodia. General Khing Sa Rat also presented certificates of commendation from the Ministry of Interior of the Kingdom of Cambodia to 26 collectives and individuals of the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam for their outstanding achievements in implementing the intensive campaign to raise awareness, attack, and suppress drug-related crimes and conduct joint investigations along the border.

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