Pretoria - South Africa and Russia have signed a protocol which will see the two countries collaborating in the war against illicit drug trafficking.
The protocol was signed by the National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations, Lieutenant General Mthandazo Ntlemeza and his Russian counterpart, Viktor Ivanov, in a meeting that was held Moscow, Russia, last week.
The two countries have agreed on the importance of having a comprehensive multi-disciplinary approach to the world drug problem, including reducing the supply and demand.
General Ntlemeza welcomed the protocol, saying the two countries also agreed to organise training for the staff of the Federal Drug Control Service of the Russian Federation and the South African Police Service.
“This is just one initiative we have embarked on as we put more efforts in our fight against the illegal trade of drugs,” said General Ntlemeza.
He said the two parties have noted that the illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors and the non-medical use of drugs pose a threat to peace and security, stability, sustainable economic, political and social development of their countries.
The second Russian-African Anti-Drug Conference will be held in South Africa in 2016. - SAnews.gov.za
