Bangkok (VNA) - Myanmar authorities have handed over three drug-related fugitives wanted by Thailand and one Thai national who was residing illegally in Myanmar to Thai authorities, according to the Myanmar Police Force.
The handover took place on December 11 in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Myanmar–Thailand cooperation in narcotics control. The individuals were arrested in Tachileik and Mongton townships and subsequently transferred to Thailand.
Previously, Thailand’s Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) had shared intelligence with Myanmar’s Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control (CCDAC), requesting assistance in locating and arresting suspects who had committed drug crimes in Thailand and fled to Myanmar.
Acting on the information exchange, a joint team comprising members of Myanmar’s Anti-Narcotics Police Force and the Shan State Police conducted investigations and successfully arrested the suspects.
Under their anti-drug cooperation programme, Thailand and Myanmar coordinate to identify and apprehend fugitives to prevent cross-border drug crimes.
Myanmar affirmed that combating and suppressing drug-related crimes is a national responsibility. The country has strengthened cooperation with regional countries to enhance the effectiveness of drug control efforts./.
Thailand, Myanmar boost cooperation to address common challenges
Thailand and Myanmar expressed a mutual desire to see peace and development in Thai-Myanmar border areas, and concurred that security operations near the border should be carried out with the utmost caution to avoid impacts on civilians.