Int’l cooperation helps with combating drug crime in Vietnam

Hanoi (VNA) – The enhancement of international cooperation as well as the implementation of bilateral and multilateral agreements has helped Vietnam prevent domestic drug crime efficiently, Deputy Minister of Public Security Le Quy Vuong said in an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency on April 20.

The official is leading a Vietnamese delegation to attend the Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly on the World Drug Problem (UNGASS), which is underway in New York city, the US, from April 19-21.

Vietnam always attaches much importance to strengthening and expanding collaboration with international organisations, he said, adding that following the spirit of multilarisation and diversification of relations, Vietnam has been a responsible member and reliable partner of the UN.

Apart from proactively integrating into the global community, Vietnam has actively joined other nations to implement socio-economic development programmes and step up prevention of crimes and particularly drug related crime, he said.

He went on to say that Vietnam has engaged in many UN Conventions and signed a number of bilateral cooperation agreements on narcotics control with multiple countries in the region and beyond, while enhancing coordination with international organisations, especially the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) and the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol).

Vietnam also upholds the respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and the principle of not interfering in domestic affairs in addressing drug-related issues, he said, confirming the crucial role of CND in the UN system on building global drug policies.

The official noted that Vietnamese forces have received, handled and exchanged a large amount of information relating to drug crimes provided by other countries, thus successfully cracking down on major cross-border drug trafficking cases.

The establishment of the Border Liaison Office (BLO) and the conducting of joint activities with China, Laos and Cambodia have enabled Vietnam to verify and address hundreds of received data on foreign drug crimes as well as control and prevent the activities involved in selling and buying drug precursors.

Vietnam has also collaborated with relevant agencies of other countries to arrest and transfer a number of wanted foreign criminals escaping into the country and Vietnamese criminals fleeing abroad, he said.

Through diplomatic activities and international cooperation, Vietnam has obtained the support of other countries and international organisations in training and improving the capacity of officials in drug crime fighting as well as sharing experience at numerous workshops, he added.

According to the Deputy Minister, the Vietnamese delegation also attended an event on cooperation mechanism to prevent trading, producing and using of drugs in the Golden Triangle – one of Asia’s main opium-producing areas, on the sidelines of the UN session.

The delegation participated in several events hosted by ASEAN countries and held bilateral meetings with some partner countries in the field./.