Da Nang, March 25-26, 2019, representatives from Customs of Viet Nam and Cambodia and Cambodian National Police met in Da Nang to discuss cross-border collaboration to combat wildlife trafficking.
Representatives of the Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department and General Department of Viet Nam Customs, the International Cooperation Department of both countries, and the Department of Prevention and Suppression, Phnom Penh International Port, Cambodia National Central Bureau (Interpol) and Anti-Economic Crime Police of Cambodia exchanged roles and priority activities of each unit, and the challenges customs officers and police meet when combating violations related to illegal transportation of wildlife across the border between the two countries.
Group photo of technical meeting between Viet Nam and Cambodia
Officers shared information on typical cases of cross-border wildlife trafficking, and sophisticated tactics of traders, highlighting that intelligence sharing between customs and police of Cambodia and Viet Nam will increase the effectiveness of authorities’ actions against illegal activities related to wildlife.
The current mechanism of sharing information between frontline Customs staff is advanced but sharing information for investigations needs to be developed. Viet Nam’s custom officers emphasised that they would review and update collaboration procedures and focal contacts, as well as promoting the counter wildlife trafficking into their high-level agenda.
The meeting highlighted the need for improved national and international inter-agency coordination and improved cross-border collaboration to allow in-depth investigations of wildlife trafficking.
This technical meeting between Viet Nam and Cambodia on strengthening cross-border collaboration to combat wildlife trafficking was carried out with the support of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), United States Department of State and the UK Government through the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund.