Afghanistan, Iran And Pakistan Agree To Cross-Border Patrols To Stop Illegal Drugs

May 9, 2008 9:01 p.m. EST

Vienna, Austria (AHN) - Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan have agreed to step up cross-border controls to stop the flow of illegal drugs, according to the United Nations.

The three countries, meeting in the Iranian capital Tehran, agreed to establish liaison offices on each of their three borders to plan joint operations against traffickers attempting to smuggle heroin out of Afghanistan, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said in an announcement on Thursday.

The countries also announced that they would step up the campaign to block the transport of chemicals used in the production of heroin in and around Afghanistan, the statement said.

"Another key focus was on how to prevent trade links and road transport from being used for the smuggling of narcotics," it noted.

Iran will establish a permanent secretariat with UNODC's assistance for the triangular initiative and a regional centre for intelligence exchange.