Meeting of the Steering Committee on professional plans for preventing and combating drug crimes in the North Central - Central Highlands region

Overview of the Steering Committee's meeting on professional plans for preventing and combating drug crimes on the North Central - Central Highlands route. Photo: Thanh Duy

"BLOCK SUPPLY, REDUCE DEMAND IS THE KEY"

The North Central - Central Highlands route has a 2,047 km long border, stretching through 11 provinces: Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue, Quang Nam, Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak and Dak Nong; bordering 8 provinces of Laos: Hua Phan, Xieng Khouang, Bo Ly Kham Xay, Kham Muon, Sa Van Na Khet, Sala Van, Se Kong, Ata Pu and 2 provinces of Cambodia: Ra Ta Na Ki Ri and Mon Dun Ki Ri.

Major General Nguyen Van Vien - Director of the Drug Crime Investigation Police Department, Ministry of Public Security spoke at the conference. Photo: Thanh Duy

A report from the Drug Crime Investigation Police Department shows that, in recent times, the drug crime situation on the North Central - Central Highlands route has remained painful, complicated and potentially high-risk.

Crystal meth, ketamine, heroin and opium are transported by subjects from the "Golden Triangle" area through the provinces of Laos to the North Central provinces of Vietnam and then transported in two directions: one is through the Central Highlands provinces to transport to the Southern provinces, the other is transported to the Northern provinces for consumption.

After one and a half years of implementing the Professional Plan on preventing and combating drug crimes on the North Central - Central Highlands route, the Police of 11 provinces on the route have proactively developed and issued plans, seriously and resolutely implementing the requirements set forth.

With great efforts and determination, the work of preventing and combating drugs on the North Central - Central Highlands route has had positive changes; proactively identifying, assessing, and forecasting the development of crimes to synchronously and comprehensively deploy policies and solutions for prevention and combat in each province.

Basic professional work is focused on, basic investigation work in 5 areas is put into practice and effective, ensuring professional prevention activities, grasping the situation, and improving the rate of discovery and arrest from basic professional work.

Under the close attention and direction of the leaders of the Ministry of Public Security, together with the great efforts and determination of the Drug Crime Investigation Police Department and the Police of 11 localities, 1,752 cases and 2,995 drug criminals were discovered and arrested; 122 special cases were successfully fought. Nearly 20 kg of heroin, 172 kg and 528,000 synthetic drug pills, 5 guns, 34 bullets and hundreds of kg of other drugs were seized.

At the same time, 67 points, 11 locations were eliminated, 11 wanted drug suspects were mobilized and arrested. 11 cases of planting plants containing narcotics were discovered and eliminated. Currently, there are no complicated drug locations along the route.

Comrade Thai Thanh Quy - Secretary of Nghe An Provincial Party Committee spoke at the conference. Photo: Thanh Duy

Speaking at the conference, Secretary of Nghe An Provincial Party Committee Thai Thanh Quy affirmed: Following the direction of the Government and the Ministry of Public Security, the Provincial Party Committee and People's Committee of Nghe An province have focused on leading and directing departments, branches, functional organizations, and local authorities, mobilizing the combined strength of the entire political system, in which the Public Security force is the core, comprehensively and synchronously implementing solutions to prevent and combat drugs; thoroughly grasping the principle: "Prevention is the main thing; blocking supply and reducing demand is the key"; with the determination to "reduce and pacify the area", soon bringing the province out of the complex drug-related key area.

From 2022 to present, Nghe An province's functional forces have detected and arrested 1,836 cases, 2,516 drug-related criminals, and seized 166.4 kg of various drugs; of which, 43 major projects have been established and fought, 4 hotspots, 20 complicated locations, and 179 drug retail points have been eliminated.

In particular, with the implementation of the Project to build "Border communes free of drugs" by the Provincial Police, after 1 year of implementation, 27/27 border communes met the criteria of drug-free communes, creating a positive ripple effect on the political system of the whole province, contributing to bringing a peaceful life to the people.

In drug rehabilitation, Nghe An is one of the localities that proactively researched and issued directive documents in a drastic and flexible manner to overcome difficulties and obstacles in the implementation process; thereby creating very positive changes, achieving outstanding results in drug rehabilitation.

The Secretary of Nghe An Provincial Party Committee affirmed: The Ministry of Public Security's organization of the Steering Committee's Conference on the prevention and combat of drug crimes on the North Central - Central Highlands route is an important occasion, a valuable opportunity for localities and Nghe An province to meet, learn, and exchange experiences in drug prevention and combat; determined to direct, organize and implement synchronously and drastically solutions to effectively combat and prevent drug crimes in the area.

At the conference, the police of various units and localities focused on discussing difficulties and obstacles and proposed a number of solutions to reduce supply, reduce demand, and reduce the harmful effects of drugs on the North Central - Central Highlands border.

CONTINUE TO EFFECTIVELY FIGHT DRUG CRIMES

In his concluding remarks at the conference, based on analysis and forecast of the situation, Lieutenant General Nguyen Duy Ngoc emphasized a number of key tasks to effectively control, prevent and suppress drug crimes on the North Central - Central Highlands route in the coming time.

Lieutenant General Nguyen Duy Ngoc - Deputy Minister of Public Security gave a speech at the conference. Photo: Thanh Duy

In particular, the police forces of the provinces along the route need to focus on reviewing and assessing the overall situation of the area to see where they are on the national and regional drug map; at the same time, firmly follow the leadership and direction of the Party, effectively advise local Party committees and authorities in drug prevention and control work.

The police force on the route continues to do better in basic professional work, focusing on basic investigation work in 5 areas, ensuring professional prevention activities and combat work; management of drug addicts and illegal drug users, associated with area management, eradication and resolution of complicated drug hotspots and locations.

Deputy Minister of Public Security awarded Certificates of Merit from the Minister of Public Security to 10 groups. Photo: Thanh Duy

Lieutenant General Nguyen Duy Ngoc also requested to promote international cooperation to improve the effectiveness of drug prevention and control work; at the same time, pay attention to and promote the role of the communal police force; encourage, share, and promptly commend the police force directly fighting against drug crimes which are very difficult and dangerous;...

Lieutenant General Nguyen Duy Ngoc presented Certificates of Merit from the Minister of Public Security to 11 individuals. Photo: Thanh Duy

On this occasion, recognizing the outstanding achievements of collectives and individuals of the Public Security of units and localities in implementing the Plan and fighting against Project 0856L, successfully destroying the transnational drug trafficking and transportation ring from Laos to Nghe An to other provinces and cities for consumption led by Nguyen Sy Duc and Tran Thi Mau, the leaders of the Ministry of Public Security decided to award Certificates of Merit to 10 collectives and 11 individuals.