In a significant effort to combat cross-border drug trafficking, Vietnam's Customs Department has organized a training session aimed at enhancing the skills of its officials in identifying drug-related crimes. The training took place on October 7-8 in Dong Hoi, Quang Tri province, with participation from 55 representatives including leaders and officials from 12 regional customs offices, as well as instructors from the Drug Crime Investigation Police Department and the People's Police Academy.

This training is part of the National Target Program for Drug Prevention and Control, which is set to continue until 2030. The program focuses on improving the capacity to prevent, detect, and combat drug crimes at border areas and checkpoints. According to Dang Van Duc, Deputy Head of the Anti-Smuggling Investigation Department, the fight against drug trafficking is a critical and ongoing task for customs officials.

Drug traffickers increasingly exploit international trade, e-commerce, and rapid delivery services to smuggle drugs and precursors. The methods used by these criminals are constantly evolving, necessitating a proactive approach from customs officials to identify risks early and target key areas effectively.

During the two-day training, participants engaged in seven practical sessions covering current trends and methods of transnational drug crimes, experiences in detecting and handling illegal drug transport cases, and identification of drugs and new psychoactive substances. The training also emphasized the importance of information gathering and analysis, as well as the use of cyberspace and e-commerce in criminal activities.

Furthermore, the program included practical exercises where customs officials could apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios, thereby enhancing their skills in risk identification and response strategies. Notably, customs units from various regions shared case studies and experiences related to drug control through air transport and along the Vietnam-Laos and Vietnam-Cambodia borders.

This initiative is expected to significantly improve the capabilities of customs officials in identifying drug trafficking signs, selecting appropriate inspection methods, and collaborating with law enforcement agencies to effectively combat drug crimes. Following this training, another session is scheduled for October 9 at the Lao Bao international border gate in Quang Tri province, focusing on legal awareness and drug prevention strategies.