More than 20 officials from Svay Rieng province and Vietnam’s Tay Ninh province are meeting at the Juliana Hotel this week to coordinate anti-drug trafficking activities.
The officials will share information on the types of drugs and drug-making chemicals they are confiscating as well as trends in drug trafficking and information on criminals.
The Juliana conference, the second to be held, is being sponsored by the UN Drug Control Program and the UN Official for Drug Control and Crime Prevention. The conference began Monday and ends today.
The UN agencies are planning to help both governments open offices on each side of the border crossing between Bavet, Cambodia, and Moc Bai, Vietnam. Officials from each country will meet daily to exchange information.
The offices, funded by Japan, will be equipped with vehicles, computers and communications equipment, and will offer training in computer use and law enforcement techniques. Officials will also be trained in how to fight human trafficking and smuggling.
Cambodians attending the conference include customs officials and the International Border Police, as well as provincial police, anti-drug officials and military police.
Cambodia is also developing similar cross-border activities with Thailand between Cham Yeam in Koh Kong province and Bad Had Lek in Trat province, Thailand. Another cooperative site is between Poipet in Banteay Meanchey province and Aranyaprathet in Sakaew province, Thailand.
Laos and Cambodia are also cooperating to improve law enforcement along their border, according to UN officials.
