Hai Thanh Luong PhD Candidate RMIT University Perth, 9 July 2014 Understanding Cross-Border Drugs Trafficking Networks: A Vietnam's Perspective Hai Thanh Luong PhD Candidate RMIT University Perth, 9 July 2014

Introduction 3rd and 13th most populous nation in ASEAN region and the world Nearly 90 million residents The country is divided into 3 regions: North Central South N.B: The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on maps do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the Author

Map of Vietnam and its neighbours Vietnam is one of the ten countries that compose Southeast Asia Shared both land and sea with China on the northern line and the Gulf of Tonkin and the South China Sea to the east. Shared borderland with Cambodia on the South- western line and the Gulf of Thailand Shared common borderland with Lao PDR on the North- Western areas

Vietnam and Drug Trafficking - Destination - Transit - Manufacturing… why not?

Drug-Related Cases and Arrests in Vietnam (2007-2012)

In the North - West area: Lao PDR Close proximity of the Golden Triangle region. The common drugs trafficked were opium, heroin and ATS. The quantity of illegal drugs: The number of ATS trafficking and the amount of ATS in single case tended to be remarkably increasing. 90% the amount of seized heroin and opium in the northern part were trafficked through this area and account for 50%,

The South- West Border line: Cambodia The major types of drugs trafficked into Vietnam were ATS, in which there was even ice form of methamphetamine. Along with that, on this route, the fact has showed that trafficking precursors have been increasing for the past years. Among some detected cases, there were some cases with more than 10 tones of precursors. Some certain amount of the trafficked illicit drugs were used to meet the demands of drug abusers at the social evil pots, casinos at Moc Bai, Ta Keo Border Gates

On the Northern border line: China Noticeable issues is parallel drug trafficking trends at the same time existed. The number and the amount of psychotropic substances trafficked from outside into Vietnam Meanwhile, opium and heroin trafficking cases from Vietnam to outside. Almost all National border gates, open-economic zones, trading areas on this border line found drug trafficking cases. Among them, some National border gates such as Mong Cai, Tan Thanh, Huu Nghi and Lao Cai very often found drug trafficking with great amount of drugs.

Why do we need Border Liaison Officers (BLOs)? To encourage cooperation along and across national borders to enable direct communication of real time information sharing leading to illicit seizures and the capture of traffickers To foster cooperation between different national border law enforcement agency units working at the borders for improved multilateral law enforcement To strengthen and facilitate the regional intelligence network on illicit drug trafficking and to prevent illegal trafficking at the borders To carry out joint operation against transnational organized crime in the region building trust and mutual sharing To promote the dissemination of changing trends and new developments in cross-border trafficking

Source: to adopt the UNODC: ten years BLOs (1999-2009)

BLOs’ Fact and Figure Key: 45 BLOs established during the period 1999 - 2013 with UNODC support. 11 BLOs established during the period 2007 – 2009 18 BLOs established through bilateral agreements between the governments of Thailand/Cambodia and Thailand/Lao PDR independently of UNODC. 70 BLOs are in operation in the Greater Mekong Sub-region. The independent establishment of BLOs by the countries of the Greater Mekong Sub-region reflects the success of the border liaison office concept and its potential for long term sustainability.

Moving forward 2015… …“Free Drug Zone” in ASEAN