On September 10, 2024, in Seoul, South Korea, ASEANAPOL Secretariat Executive Director David Martinez Vinluan participated in the inaugural meeting of the Asian Narcotics Crime Response Alliance (ANCRA). This initiative, led by the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA), was created to address the rising threat of illicit drug trafficking across Asia. ANCRA was
introduced as a strategic side session during the 2024 International Conference on Narcotics (ICON), which took place from September 10 to 11 at the Floating Island Convention Center in Seoul.
The meeting began with opening remarks from Senior Superintendent General Yoo Jae Seong, Director General for Detective Affairs at the KNPA, who highlighted the need for regional cooperation in combating drug trafficking, a problem that has become a global issue. He stressed that joint efforts among nations are essential to tackle this escalating crisis effectively.
Ms. Park Da On, Senior Inspector of the KNPA’s Narcotics and Organized Crime Investigation Division, then outlined the goals and strategic direction of ANCRA. She explained that the alliance will serve as a platform for member agencies to share information, exchange intelligence, and enhance collaboration on narcotics-related crimes. Additionally, ANCRA will focus on fostering best practices and creating a network of partners dedicated to fighting drug trafficking at its source.
Executive Director Vinluan provided an overview of ASEANAPOL Secretariat’s efforts to facilitate cooperation among ASEAN member police forces. He emphasized the importance of intelligence sharing and joint operations to combat transnational crimes, including drug smuggling, human trafficking, and cybercrime. Vinluan reaffirmed the need for closer collaboration between ASEAN nations and Korea to address these growing threats effectively.
ANCRA is envisioned as a dynamic forum for its members, including 16 national narcotics agencies and the ASEANAPOL Secretariat, to work together in enhancing regional law enforcement. The alliance will focus on intelligence-sharing, joint operations, and capacity-building initiatives to combat increasingly sophisticated drug trafficking methods. By fostering deeper ties among regional law enforcement bodies, ANCRA is poised to play a critical role in the global fight against illicit drug trafficking.
“Together We Keep This Region Safe"