Iran, Russia to intensify anti-narcotics efforts

Iranian and Russian officials discussed ways to increase mutual cooperation against narcotics, specially along the two countries\' borders. The talks were held in Iran\'s Northern city of Sari, the provincial capital city of Mazandaran. The two sides also called for enhancing ties on transferring latest narcotics information in the region and combating drug trafficking gangs. Last week, top Iranian and Qatari police commanders inked an agreement for stronger cooperation between the two countries against narcotics. The agreement was signed by Iran\'s Police Chief Brigadier General Esmayeel Ahmadi Moqaddam and Director-General of Qatar\'s Public Security (Police Chief) Saad Bin Jassim Al Khulaifi in Tehran on Tuesday. Last Monday, Khulaifi praised Iran\'s major role in the global campaign against narcotics, and appreciated the Iranian police for blocking the transit of illicit drugs from Afghanistan to the Persian Gulf littoral states, including Qatar. \"We are well-aware that a major part of the campaign against drug-trafficking relies on Iran and Iran has been able to control its border crossings very well,\" Khulaifi said at a meeting with commander of the anti-narcotics squad of Iran\'s Law Enforcement Police General Ali Moayyedi. Eastern Iran borders Afghanistan, which is the world\'s number one opium and drug producer. Iran\'s geographical position has made the country a favorite transit corridor for drug traffickers who intend to smuggle their cargoes from Afghanistan to drug dealers in Europe. Iran spends billions of dollars and has lost thousands of its police troops in the war against traffickers. Owing to its rigid efforts, Iran makes 89 percent of the world\'s total opium seizures and has turned into the leading country in drug campaign. Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the Iranian police have lost more than 3700 of their personnel in the country\'s combat against narcotics. Last month, Iran submitted three proposals to UN narcotics meeting, including the necessitated considering of a comprehensive approach towards the issue of drugs in Afghanistan which should consist of the development and strengthening of economic and social infra-structures, demolishing of laboratories which convert materials, creation of a mechanism for a serious participation and utilization of regional capacities to fight against narcotic drugs and finally, cooperation of organizations and international community with countries in front line of fight.