TEHRAN - Iraj Kakavand, Iran’s anti-narcotics police chief, participated in the 45th Meeting of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies Asia and the Pacific (HONLAP 45) hosted by the National Narcotics Agency of Indonesia in Bali.

The meeting was held from October 24-27.

Kakavand, accompanied by a delegation, attended the meeting with the aim of strengthening regional and international cooperation.

On the first day of this meeting, they elaborated on Iran's anti-narcotics activities as being at the forefront of the fight against narcotics in the world and making firm decisions in dealing with drugs.

While presenting a report on the capabilities of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its different measures to combat narcotics, the role of the international community in supporting the frontline countries, particularly Iran, was highlighted.

The 45th meeting of heads of anti-narcotics organizations in Asia and the Pacific was held with the presence of 104 participants from 27 member/law enforcement countries, which indicates global efforts to combat the threat of narcotics.

The main objective was reinforcing regional and sub-regional cooperation in addressing problems caused by drug and drug trafficking and dealing with them globally.

Iran calls for global support to combat narcotics

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.

MT/MG