TEHRAN –Iranian and Japanese anti-narcotics police are ready to expand their bilateral relations in the war on drugs.

In a meeting on Sunday, the Iranian Police Chief, Brigadier General Ahmad Reza Radan, and the Japanese ambassador to Iran, Tamaki Tsukada, discussed avenues for boosting collaboration between the police forces of the two countries.  

“Japan recognizes Iran’s effort and significant role in the fight against narcotics, and is therefore ready to expand ties in this area,” IRNA quoted Tsukada as saying.

The official went on to announce Japan’s readiness to collaborate with Iran, particularly in combating drug trafficking and related crimes by sharing technology and expertise.

Radan, for his part, expressed willingness to strengthen relations with Japan highlighting that the expansion of police cooperation will benefit both countries.

Japan is ready for cooperation

On March 15, Hiroshi Minami, the representative of Japan to the 67th UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, said the Japanese government is prepared to cooperate with Iran in the global fight against narcotics.

In a meeting with Eskandar Momeni, the secretary general of the Iranian anti-narcotics headquarters, the Japanese official commended Iran’s achievements in reducing the demand for illicit drugs, treating addicts, and minimizing harms caused by drug abuse.

Furthermore, he expressed Japan’s willingness to collaborate with Iran to implement joint projects in this area, IRNA reported.

Momeni, for his part, said the historical relations between the two countries are over a hundred years old. “The relations are always expanding and developing.”

The Japanese government and the ambassador to Tehran have been always supportive of Iran and shared experiences in the fight against narcotics, he stressed.

Due to the geographical location of Iran, being next to the world’s largest drug-producing country, Iran is taking extensive measures in the battle against drugs and drug trafficking, Momeni highlighted.

“Iran is willing to draft a memorandum of understanding to bolster cooperation with Japan on exchanging information, identifying ringleaders of drug trafficking, psychotropic substances, precursors and NPS (non-scheduled precursors), as well as cooperation in prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and social protection,” Momeni further noted.

MT/MG