General To Lam, Politburo member, Minister of Public Security chaired a meeting with functional units under the Ministry of Public Security to discuss on the implementation of anti-drug cooperation deals with the Lao counterparts.
The meeting also saw the presence of Lieutenant General Nguyen Duy Ngoc, Deputy Minister of Public Security.
Vietnam and Laos have alternately held 18 ministerial meetings on counter-drug trafficking cooperation, and signed 18 cooperation memos in controlling drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors.
Every year, Vietnam organizes training courses for Laotian officers on anti-drug case investigation and drug addiction treatment in order to improve the capacity of the Lao counter-narcotics forces. The two sides also hold meetings between the anti-drug forces with the aim of strengthening their close working relations and coordination in the future.
In terms of joint investigation of drug trafficking, the two countries' functional forces have maintained exchange of information and coordinated to successfully break down many criminal rings trafficking illicit drugs from Laos to Vietnam for sale or transporting to a third country.
At the meeting, delegates assessed the drug situation and results of anti-drug trafficking cooperation with Laos over the past time as well as discussed approaches to strengthen cooperation on drug trafficking prevention and control with Laos in the coming time.
Speaking at the meeting, Minister To Lam emphasized that, in the coming time, Vietnam’s police will continue to cooperate extensively and comprehensively with Laos in various fields, especially in the fight against drug trafficking.
The Counter-Narcotics Police Department should coordinate with relevant agencies to soon finalize a draft cooperation agreement on illicit drugs control between the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam and the Ministry of Public Security of Laos