Deputy Prime Minister Trương Hòa Bình has asked for stronger co-ordination among police, border guard, coastguard and customs forces to fight drug crime at a teleconference on Tuesday in Hà Nội. — Photo thuonghieucongluan.com.vn

HÀ NỘI — Deputy Prime Minister Trương Hòa Bình has asked for stronger co-ordination among police, border guard, coastguard and customs forces to fight drug crime. 

The Deputy PM requested the forces enhance efforts to implement relevant plans, strategies and national target programmes set by the Government on fighting drug crime and human trafficking, especially in border areas. 
Addressing a teleconference on Tuesday in Hà Nội to review co-ordination among the forces in the work, he urged them to combat smuggling and counterfeit goods production and trading. 
The units should consult Party committees and authorities at all levels on security and defence, he said, stressing the need to involve the people in the work. 
They should also work together in investigating legal violations as well as in other activities like legal assistance, administrative management, border protection, and customs operation in border areas and in the sea, he added. 
While hailing recent collaboration among the forces, the Deputy PM said he hopes the work will be improved. 
He also asked the sectors to perform Party building and prevent the regression of political thought, morality and lifestyle; corruption; and connivance in crimes, he said, asking them to hold training and exchange programmes to boost unity and to ensure security and order in the country. 
The conference heard that co-ordination among the forces has been strengthened in recent years, helping solve many drug–related cases. 
Co-operation with police and security forces of neighbouring Laos, China and Cambodia has been enhanced at all levels, especially with those responsible for fighting drug crime. 
Bình said the Vietnamese agencies need to work with their neighbouring, regional and worldwide peers to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity, and fight crimes. 
On the occasion, the Police General Department, the Coast Guard High Command, and the General Department of Customs signed an agreement on co-ordination in combating drug-related crimes in border areas and border gates as well as at sea. - VNS