Joint Law Enforcement Patrol Launched on Mekong River to Combat Cross-Border Crime

On Tuesday, authorities from China, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand joined forces for their 155th joint patrol on the Mekong River, aimed at tackling cross-border criminal activities. The patrol officially kicked off around 9 am, with three Chinese law enforcement vessels departing from Jingha Port in Yunnan province, while boats from Laos and Myanmar launched from their respective ports, heading towards a designated area.

More than 100 law enforcement officers from the involved nations, accompanied by seven vessels, will engage in this collaborative mission that spans four days and three nights. Activities will include joint inspections of both land and water in critical regions, such as Ban Xiangkok, with a focus on confronting challenges like drug trafficking, fraud, smuggling, and illegal immigration.

Additionally, an information exchange meeting will take place in Chiang Saen, Thailand, where representatives from all four countries will discuss the security landscape of the Lancang-Mekong basin, review case data, and strategize for future collaborations. The last joint patrol, which wrapped up in late June, facilitated various initiatives aimed at drug prevention and involved outreach efforts in riverside communities, schools, and businesses, distributing numerous educational materials about drug awareness.

The Mekong River, referred to as the Lancang River in China, serves as an essential route for cross-border shipping. Joint patrols of this waterway have been conducted since December 2011, reinforcing cooperative security measures among the nations sharing its banks.