Lao, U.S and Thai Officials Unite in Law Enforcement Exchange to Tackle Transnational Crime
The conference was part of a series of activities held by U.S. security and law enforcement representatives, the Thai Immigration Bureau, and Lao Immigration authorities to stop transnational crime that negatively impacts lives, communities, and economies along the borders and beyond.
The meeting brought together approximately 30 immigration police officials in leadership roles—15 from Laos and 15 from Thailand— with representatives from the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Vientiane, the Office of Overseas Criminal Investigations units from the U.S. Embassies in Bangkok and Vientiane, and the regional Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Customs and Border Protection offices at U.S. Embassy Bangkok. Topics discussed included strategic approaches to improving law enforcement collaboration to effectively combat illicit activity such as human trafficking, child exploitation, narcotics trafficking, weapons smuggling, and cyberscam activities.
Participants also conducted enhanced information exchanges that will lead to streamlined communication and consolidated lines of effort relative to enhanced border security. All countries agreed on the importance of such regional cooperation to stop criminals whose predatory enterprises do not respect laws or borders. This cooperative law enforcement approach is one of the many initiatives the U.S. State Department is undertaking to support similar efforts throughout ASEAN. Enhanced cross-border cooperation among ASEAN member states to combat transnational organized crime will be a top agenda item at next month’s ASEAN Leaders Summit in Kuala Lumpur.
This initiative underscores the shared commitment of the United States, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and the Kingdom of Thailand to fostering regional security and advancing cooperation in law enforcement. By facilitating dialogue and collaboration, the exchange meeting represents a significant step toward addressing complex cross-border challenges and ensuring the safety and security of Americans and communities in the region.