Expanding the duties of the drug crime prevention and control authorities in Vietnam

Expanding the duties of the drug crime prevention and control authorities in Vietnam (Illustrative image)

Under Article 13 of the Draft Law on prevention and control of narcotic substances, the duties and powers of the drug crime prevention and control authorities under the Vietnam People's Public Security, Border Guard, Coast Guard, and Customs are as follows:

- For the drug crime prevention and control authority under the Vietnam People's Public Security:

- Act as the core unit and take the lead in implementing activities for the prevention, deterrence, and combat against drug-related crimes;

- Employ necessary reconnaissance and technical measures to investigate and detect drug-related crimes;

- Request forensic examinations of necessary specimens and biological samples to uncover drug-related crimes;

- Require individuals, families, agencies, organizations, and businesses involved to cooperate and provide information, documents, financial situation, and bank accounts when there is a basis to believe that actions in line with Clauses 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9 of Article 4 of this Law are being committed;

- Require postal and delivery service agencies, organizations, and businesses to open parcels, packages, and goods for inspection when there is a basis to believe that these contain narcotics substances, precursors, narcotics drugs, psychotropic drugs, precursor drugs, combination drugs containing narcotics substances, combination drugs containing psychotropic substances, combination drugs containing precursors; veterinary drugs containing narcotic substances or precursors;

- Take necessary measures to protect informers, witnesses, and victims in drug-related cases;

- Collaborate with anti-drug crime agencies of other countries and international anti-drug crime organizations to exchange information and coordinate the investigation of transnational drug-related cases.

- For the drug crime prevention and control authorities under the Vietnam Border Guard, Coast Guard, and Customs:

- Within their scope and authority, these authorities are responsible for taking charge of and cooperating with the Vietnam People's Public Security and other relevant agencies to implement and apply necessary measures as prescribed by law to prevent, deter, and handle drug-related legal violations in areas or domains they manage and control.

More details can be found in the Draft Law on prevention and control of narcotic substances.

Nguyen Phu

>> CLICK HERE TO READ THIS ARTICLE IN VIETNAMESE