Customs officers, postal workers learn about drug smuggling prevention

(KPL) More than 30 customs officers and postal officials from Vientiane Capital and five central provinces attended a training course on preventing the smuggling of drugs and drug precursors – chemical substances used to manufacture illicit drugs such as ecstasy or amphetamines —at border check points and post offices.
Held on 4-5 February in Vientiane, the course was a cooperation programme between the US Embassy in Laos, the Lao National Commission on Drugs Control and Supervision and the Customs Department, Ministry of Finance.
“The main objective of the workshop is to strengthen capacity of postal officials and customs officers in preventing drug smuggling,” said Deputy Head of the Customs Department, Mr. Ardsaphangthong Siphandone.
“Thus, the training is very important for us and we must use this course to gain an understanding of technical procedures to implement in our country,” Mr. Ardsaphangthong.
He said that smugglers put drugs in luggage and packages and this form of illegal practice is still seen at international border checkpoints and post offices.
Also present at the training was US Deputy Chief of Mission to Laos, Mr. Peter Haymond and officials from authorities concerned.

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