Chi Lien-cheng Convenes Six Major Anti-Narcotics Agencies to Strengthen Crackdown on Drug Traffickers and Discuss Increasing Narcotics Detection Dogs

(Taipei, June 16, CNA reporter Kao Hua-chien) Executive Yuan member Chi Lien-cheng today chaired a special meeting of the 'Anti-Organized Crime and Anti-Narcotics Task Force.' In addition to calling for a solid 'iron triangle' of prosecution, police, and law enforcement agencies to demonstrate efficiency and determination in combating drug traffickers, he also instructed the Customs Administration to study increasing the number of narcotics detection dogs to enhance detection capabilities, and requested the Ministry of Education to develop new anti-drug programs for schools.

The Executive Yuan stated in a press release that, to actively implement the three main pillars and 14 measures recently announced by the Executive Yuan for drug and drugged driving prevention—'source deterrence, enhanced interdiction, and strict punishment for drugged driving'—Chi convened a special meeting this afternoon with the heads of six major interdiction systems: prosecution, police, investigation, military police, coast guard, customs, and the Ministry of Education. The meeting also included a report from the High Prosecutors Office on 'Current Drug Situation Analysis and Interdiction Framework.'

Chi instructed that, in terms of source deterrence, overseas personnel from the police, investigation, and coast guard agencies should strengthen international intelligence gathering and deepen international and cross-border anti-narcotics cooperation to improve the effectiveness of blocking drugs outside Taiwan's borders.

Chi said he will actively collaborate with Executive Yuan member Lin Ming-hsin to expedite the completion of the current anti-drug legal framework, ensuring frontline law enforcement officers have comprehensive legal grounds.

Regarding enhanced interdiction, Chi said the Coast Guard Administration must enforce intelligence reporting, continuously update and apply technological methods to accurately intercept maritime drug smuggling. On the customs front, in addition to enhancing existing border interception effectiveness, the Customs Administration should study increasing the number of narcotics detection dogs to improve detection capabilities for people and cargo.

Chi also urged local prosecutors, police, and investigation agencies to form a solid 'iron triangle' for anti-drug operations, demonstrating short-term efficiency and density to deter drug traffickers and showcase the government's firm resolve.

Furthermore, Chi pointed out that the National Police Agency should enhance safety measures for frontline officers conducting anti-drugged driving duties. Given the current widespread abuse of drugs and e-cigarettes, the Ministry of Education should develop new campus anti-drug programs to effectively monitor high-risk students, strengthen campus security personnel's anti-drug capabilities, and expand the reach of anti-drug and anti-drugged driving public awareness campaigns.

On the issue of strict punishment for drugged driving, Chi stated that once the relevant legislation is passed, he will urge the police and related agencies to enforce the law rigorously to curb drugged driving in the short term. He also plans to visit the six major anti-narcotics agencies and the Ministry of Education soon to gain in-depth understanding and review their operations, standing firmly as their support. (Edited by Su Lung-chi) 1150616