Myanmar hosts 10th ASEAN Seaport Interdiction Task Force meeting

THE 10^th ASEAN Seaport In­terdiction Task Force Meeting, hosted by Myanmar, was held online yesterday at the meeting hall of the former office of the commander of the Drug En­forcement Division under the Myanmar Police Force (Bukwe) in Nay Pyi Taw.

At the meeting, the head of the International Relations Department of the Drug En­forcement Division under the Myanmar Police Force high­lighted the rapidly changing situation regarding drugs and synthetic drugs, the increasing use of encrypted communica­tion systems and digital plat­forms by drug gangs as shown by recent arrests, the need to upgrade prevention and en­forcement processes to keep pace with modern systems, the importance of controlling pre­cursor chemicals at key ports due to their transport through seaports, and the vulnerability of seaports – given their vital role in regional trade and in­ternational connectivity – to becoming prime targets for cross-border gangs, underscor­ing the need for greater cooper­ation among member states to ensure seaport security.

He also said that Myanmar will further enhance joint op­erations with ASEAN member countries, pay special attention to seaport security and trade, urge member countries to build stronger mutual trust through faster and smoother seaport op­erations and timely, consistent information exchange, accel­erate seaport checkpoints, and continue efforts toward achiev­ing the common goal of a drug-free ASEAN region.

The meeting was attended by a delegation led by Police Lt- Col Aung Kyaw Oo of Myanmar Maritime Police Division under the Myanmar Police Force, as well as representatives from ASEAN member countries and the ASEAN Secretariat. ASEAN member countries presented their national drug situations, discussed the work of the ASE­AN Sea Port Interdiction Task Force, and made recommen­dations for future cooperation. — MNA/TH