FILE PHOTO: Barrels of precursor chemicals used to make drugs such as methamphetamine, ketamine, heroin and fentanyl seized by Myanmar police and military in Shan State in May 2020. The Golden Triangle has become a notorious ground for illicit manufacturing and trafficking of synthetic drugs. - Myanmar Police/UNODC/via Reuters
PHNOM PENH: Law enforcement officials from the United States, Laos and Thailand are collaborating to share intelligence in tackling rising transnational crimes along South- East Asia’s borders, particularly in areas surrounding the Golden Triangle.
The tripartite initiative comes months after the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) warned in May that the Golden Triangle has become a notorious ground for illicit manufacturing and trafficking of synthetic drugs.
"The exchange is part of a series of activities held by US security and law enforcement representatives, Thai and Lao Immigration authorities to stop transnational crime that negatively impacts lives, communities and economies along the borders and beyond,” said the statement posted on the US Embassy and Consulate in Thailand’s website on Sept 26.
Themed "Thai-Lao Information Exchange Conference on Border Security”, the meeting was held in Nong Khai, Thailand, from September 23 to 24.
The meeting also comes a month ahead of Malaysia’s hosting the 47th Asean Summit with Dialogue Partners in late October, where a host of regional and international leaders is expected to deliberate on key security matters.
"Enhanced cross-border cooperation among Asean member states to combat transnational organised crime will be a top agenda item at next month’s Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur,” said the statement.
The prevalence of illicit manufacturing of pharmaceutical products, cyber crimes, narcotic trafficking, laboratories for producing synthetic drugs, human smuggling and money laundering continues to vex policy makers and law enforcement officials.
"Topics discussed included strategic approaches to improving law enforcement collaboration in order to effectively combat illicit activity such as human trafficking, child exploitation, narcotics trafficking, weapons smuggling and cyberscam activities,” said the statement.
The UNODC in its May report revealed that it seized a record 236 tonnes of methamphetamine in East and South-East Asia last year, a 24 per cent jump compared to 2023.
Its report also said drug syndicates are exploiting maritime trafficking routes linking Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines - indicating the evolving nature of transnational drug trafficking.
"This initiative underscores the shared commitment of the United States, Laos and Thailand to fostering regional security and advancing cooperation in law enforcement,” said the statement.
The infamous Golden Triangle, bordering Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, was once the epicentre of opium production and distribution during the 1970s.
Drug production was eliminated with the help of the international and regional security agencies, and the mountainous area was later turned into a tourist attraction. - Bernama
