Border liaison offices work to fight against transnational crime
A three-day National Border Liaison Office (BLO) Consultation began in the southern province of Ba Ria – Vung Tau on May 31.
The function is discussing measures to counter transnational organised crime as part of the Partnership against Transnational-crime through Regional Organized Law-enforcement (PATROL). The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has implemented the initiative in Vietnam and neighbouring countries since 2010.
According to Le Tan Tao, Deputy General Director of the General Department of Police, thanks to the PATROL, Vietnam has significantly extended international cooperation and information exchange on drug/human/animal trafficking, environmental crime and illegal immigration via the BLO system.
A total of 16 BLOs are operating in 11 provinces, namely An Giang, Tay Ninh, Quang Tri, Ha Tinh, Nghe An, Dien Bien, Son La, Lao Cai, Ha Giang, Lang Son, and Quang Ninh.
Based on the reaped positive outcomes, some localities have increased members for their offices in a bid to boost performance.
Participating representatives of BLOs nationwide stressed the need to improve the BLO model in Vietnam and increase communications among BLOs.
They asked the UNODC to supplement equipment, such as drug quick-test kits and thermal binoculars, and to open more training courses on foreign languages and occupational skills.
Since the beginning of 2016, liaison among BLOs has helped relevant agencies detect 1,230 drug smuggling cases and 74 cases of illegal trade of wildlife animals and forestry products.
According to Le Tan Tao, Deputy General Director of the General Department of Police, thanks to the PATROL, Vietnam has significantly extended international cooperation and information exchange on drug/human/animal trafficking, environmental crime and illegal immigration via the BLO system.
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Based on the reaped positive outcomes, some localities have increased members for their offices in a bid to boost performance.
Participating representatives of BLOs nationwide stressed the need to improve the BLO model in Vietnam and increase communications among BLOs.
They asked the UNODC to supplement equipment, such as drug quick-test kits and thermal binoculars, and to open more training courses on foreign languages and occupational skills.
Since the beginning of 2016, liaison among BLOs has helped relevant agencies detect 1,230 drug smuggling cases and 74 cases of illegal trade of wildlife animals and forestry products.
