Regional drug experts discuss enhancing responses to emerging drug-related challenges

The UNODC SMART Forensics programme organized its annual regional workshop for East and Southeast Asia on 10-12 September 2024 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, together with the National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD) of Cambodia. The workshop gathered law enforcement and drug forensics experts from ASEAN member states and East Asia, including China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, as well as the World Customs Organization’s Regional Intelligence Liaison Office Asia Pacific (RILO AP) to share the latest regional and national developments. Representatives from Australia and the United States also joined this year’s meeting as observers.

During the meeting, participating countries provided up-to-date information on their country situation, including on demand, supply, and the forensic analysis of illicit drugs. A special session was also held on the chemical and physical profiling of drugs to explore ways in which to better utilise information provided by forensic laboratories to support law enforcement activities, as well as to enhance regional forensic capacity.