Hanoi (VNA) – Measures to promote joint investigation in preventing drugtrafficking along sea routes in Southeast Asia were discussed at a workshop inHanoi on September 9.

Hosted by the Ministry of Public Security, the event saw the participation of 60delegates from nine ASEAN member nations, the ASEAN Secretariat and China – thedialogue country of the group.

Attendees agreed that the cooperation mechanism of the ASEAN working group on prevention and control of drug trafficking by sea is an important framework of the region, providing a venue for sharing informationand experience and enhancing cooperation among regional countries in combating drugtrafficking at sea.

They stressed the need to further strengthen coordination among ASEAN membernations in preventing drug crime in general and drug trafficking at sea inparticular.

Lt. Gen. Pham Van Cac, Director ofthe InvestigationPolice Department of Drug-Related Crimes under the Vietnameseministry said crimes related to trafficking and illegal transportation ofnarcotics at sea, especially on international sea routes, have increased andbecome complicated in nature.

Datafrom the UN Office on Drugs and Crime showed approximately 420 millioncontainers are shipped by sea every year worldwide but the number of containersunder control is less than 2 percent, making it easy for transnational criminalorganizations to take advantage of sea shipping to illegally transport drugsand forbidden goods.

Cac said the transit through many countries of containers make it difficult toinvestigate ring leaders of drug crimes of this type, and called on ASEANmember nations to join investigation activities and proactively propose cooperationinitiatives on combating drug crime and mobilizing resources for the work.

Representatives from Cambodia also pointed out difficulties in the work, and suggestedsolutions to the issue, including promoting the mechanism of  information sharing; establishing hotlines amongcountries to promptly share information, and coordinate in arresting drug-traffickersalong sea routes.

They reported that Cambodia has implemented five main strategies to effectivelyfight drug crimes, focusing on reducing supply of drugs, expanding internationalcooperation in combating drug crimes; making adjustment to policies and laws;and enhancing media campaigns to raise public awareness of the harms of illicitdrugs.-VNA.