Vietnam, Cambodia join hands in combating drugs

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Minister Nguyen Van Long noted that in recent years, Vietnam and Cambodia have worked closely and effectively in drug prevention and control under the Memorandum of Understanding between the two Governments and the Joint Action Plan between their respective national authorities for combating drugs, which resulted in the arrest of numerous offenders and the seizure of large quantities of narcotics.

The host emphasized that the cooperation had been carried out in a practical and effective manner, contributing to reducing the supply, demand and harmful impacts of drugs, thereby supporting socio-economic development and safeguarding public health in both countries.

Regarding future cooperation orientations, Deputy Minister Nguyen Van Long proposed that the two sides further enhance the exchange of information on the leaders of major drug trafficking networks and wanted criminals hiding in either country to facilitate their tracking and arrest.

He also suggested initiatives such as establishing a Vietnam–Cambodia Joint Task Force on Drug Prevention and Control to help curb drug supply sources in both countries and across the wider region.

Deputy Minister also Nguyen Van Long stressed the need to strengthen coordination against emerging drug trafficking methods via air, postal services, sea routes and the Internet; to jointly investigate and handle criminal organizations operating under the guise of legitimate companies; to strictly control lawful drug-related activities; and to proactively prevent and dismantle drug crop cultivation and production, particularly synthetic drugs.

He also called on the two sides to continue to effectively implement the joint campaign against drug-related crimes along the Vietnam–Cambodia borderline, aiming to build drug-free communities in border areas.

Sincerely thanking Deputy Minister Nguyen Van Long for the meeting, General Meas Vyryth expressed his appreciation the effective cooperation between the two contries, especially in the field of drug prevention and control, over the past time.

The guest affirmed that the Cambodian competent authorities hope to strengthen cooperation with their Vietnamese counterparts by sharing practical experience and conducting joint operations to prevent and combat drug-related crimes, contributing to safeguarding national security as well as maintaining social order and safety for the peoples of both nations.