TEHRAN – Iran anti-narcotics police chief, Iraj Kakavand, in a meeting with Pakistan Major-General Muhammad Aniq Ur Rehman Malik, on Wednesday emphasized the need to boost synergy and exchange online information on drug trafficking in the region.

Kakavand emphasized the need to expand interactions and cooperation between the two countries in the field of anti-narcotics, ISNA reported.

Referring to Rask terrorist attack that led to the martyrdom of 11 policemen he stated since terrorist groups and drug traffickers are connected in the region, it is necessary for the two sides to fight against drug traffickers more decisively and purposefully by expanding collaboration, exchanging information and conducting joint operations. 

Pointing to the geographical position of Iran and Pakistan, as neighboring countries of Afghanistan, Kakavand said it is essential to improve the level of interactions between the two countries by holding bilateral meetings and border meetings as well.

By adopting common positions in international forums, the two countries can be introduced as main forces to combat illicit trafficking in the international arena, he added.

Rehman Malik, for his part, stressing the need to enhance cooperation and sharing information in the filed of the fight against drug trafficking, called it necessary for the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) to support Iran and Pakistan as forefront countries in the fight against narcotics.

Iran, Pakistan discuss enhancing security along borders

On November 21, Iran and Pakistan stressed the need to boost security along borders in a bid to promote relations and improve coordination between the two neighboring countries.

The Islamic Republic of Iran fights hard against drug smugglers and prevents them from entering the region, the commander of the Iranian border guards said.

"We are pleased to hold the second joint border meeting of Iran and Pakistan since it affects the two countries' relations, " IRNA quoted Brigadier General Ahmad-Ali Goudarzi as saying.

He made the remarks in a meeting with Rear Admiral Imtiaz Ali, the director general of the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA).

The Iranian official said former joint meetings have had a significant impact on border security relations. “These meetings should continue to be held with the focus on improving maritime security and fighting drug trafficking, as the main objectives.”

Global support essential in fight against narcotic

On October 8, Kakavand, in a meeting with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) representative in Tehran, Alexander Fedulov, called it essential to support Iran in the fight against drug trafficking.

During the meeting, Fedulov said the Islamic Republic of Iran has always been committed to a serious and decisive fight against narcotics at the regional and global level, IRIB reported.

Iran has spent a huge sum of money fighting the war on drugs, and apart from that, many anti-narcotics forces have sacrificed their lives in this way. The high number of martyrs and injured shows Iran's serious determination to deal with this scourge, the UN official added.

"Considering the fact that the Islamic Republic of Iran is at the forefront of the fight against drug trafficking, the UNODC and the international community support of Iran should be proportionate to the activities and actions at the regional and global level.”

He stated since new smuggling routes and concealment methods are emerging, it is necessary for the anti-narcotics police to be equipped with new detection equipment and tools. Needless to say, the UNODC in Tehran plays a prominent role in providing some of these tools.

Kakavand, for his part, highlighted the need to promote regional cooperation and said, “The Anti-Narcotics Police of Iran has always announced its readiness to collaborate and improve cooperation with all the countries in the region and the world to eradicate narcotics.”

Holding meetings with the anti-narcotics police of Pakistan and Afghanistan in the form of a tripartite initiative in previous years is a strong proof of this claim, he noted.