Participants join an opening ceremony of the Asia Pacific International Drug Enforcement Conference in Đà Nẵng City on March 26. The conference is an opportunity for members to share experience and information in preventing drug crime. VNS Photo Công Thành

ĐÀ NẴNG — Việt Nam has been fighting against the increasing drug supply from the ‘Golden Triangle' and global drug trafficking activities in the Asia-Pacific, setting up a tough job for the country to curb drug crime, trans-national drug criminals and drug trafficking rings.

Head of the Counter Narcotics Police Department Lieutenant General Nguyễn Văn Viện spoke at the opening ceremony of the Asia Pacific International Drug Enforcement Conference in Đà Nẵng City.

Viện said Việt Nam placed top priority on preventing drug trafficking and drug use by setting up early warnings and barriers including education, post drug addiction programmes, as well as strict control and surveillance on illegal drug trafficking.

“Việt Nam strongly emphasised crucial attacks on drug crime and drug-related activities. We have been pursuing a target of building a free-drug zone of trans-national drug trafficking and zero-drug user community,” Viện said.

“The country has been changing in education reform and effective communications to protect young generations from drug addiction at families, schools, working places and the public,” he said.

A drug trafficking incident is investigated by Counter Narcotics Police in Việt Nam. Drugs were disguised in cargo bags and transported by sea. Photo courtesy of Counter Narcotics Police department

“The Counter Narcotics Police Department of Việt Nam positively boosted co-operation with ASEAN countries, trans-border crossing nations, and members of the Greater Mekong Sub-region, extending information sharing networks with countries members in Asia Pacific.”

He warned that mass drug transport from the ‘Golden Triangle' into Việt Nam would then be trafficked to other countries in the region.

“I think all members would agree with our view on the importance of early preventive solutions on drug trafficking and trade. We have to boost co-operation and sharing with responsibility in blocking drug transport and the negative impacts of drugs on the society.”

The Lieutenant General also highly appreciated the experience and technology applications in drug prevention that the US and developed countries in the region have effectively used.

He hoped the US and partners would help Việt Nam and other countries improve their capacity with training, equipment support and experience sharing.

He said it’s the second time Việt Nam and the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has jointly organised the conference, strongly confirmed their determination in the fight against drugs and building a free-drug community.

The US Consul General in HCM City, Susan Burns, stressed that co-operation is a key for all member countries in prevention of drug trafficking, drug crime organisations and production of illicit chemicals.

She said drug crime prevention is not a mission of one country, but requires positive co-operation among members.

Susan hoped the conference would offer opportunities for member countries sharing information and methods of drug production among drug crime organisations and solutions in dealing with trans-border crime organisations.

John P Scott, head of DEA’s Asia Pacific Division, shared that member countries in the region should strengthen co-operation in training and joint-campaign implementation with an aim of building safe communities and dealing with drug-related matters.

Drugs are packed to look like tea bags or drink powder. These can be easily used or transported in public. Photo courtesy of Counter Narcotics Police Department

According to a report from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, the number of drug users between the age of 15 and 64 increased from 240 million in 2011 to 296 million in 2023, making up 5.8 per cent of global population.

Việt Nam has been seriously affected by drug-trafficking as it is located near the ‘Golden Triangle' area – one of the main illicit opium-producing areas in Asia.

According the Counter Narcotics Police Department, the Public Security Ministry's drug-related crime investigation forces had seized 450kg of heroin, 4.9 tonnes of methamphetamine, or crystal meth, 809 kg of opium, 480kg of marijuana, 330kg of cocaine with 38,700 drug-related offenders in 11 months of 2023.

Drug-crime organisations sold drugs disguised in coffee and tea bags, luring school students and young people with easy use, a report from the department unveiled.

Drugs were also made in shape of electronic cigarettes or imported in bags of cement, the report showed.

“We also face difficulties from high-tech crimes with digital platforms, social network transactions and increasing illegal trade of heroin, amphetamine, ketamine and crystal methamphetamine,” Lieutenant General Nguyễn Văn Viện said. — VNS