Speaking at the opening of a two-day Asian Regional workshop on the fight against amphetamine type of drugs held in Hong Kong on January 15, Mr Yam said that trafficking in this type of drugs was an organised crime that "recognises no national borders and there is ample evidence to show that criminals from different countries are collaborating quite freely and readily with each other to further their illicit interest in this field."

Force officers and representatives from the Mainland, nine other countries and Interpol, attended the workshop which was the third and final meeting of the Asian Regional Amphetamine Type Stimulant (ATS) Workshop co-hosted by the Australian Federal Police Force and the Hong Kong Police Force.

The objective of the workshop in Hong Kong was to bring law enforcement officers within the Asian region together to work out strategic plan of action to tackle ATS trafficking activities and money laundering.

During the two-day session, the workshop succeeded in achieving the following:

• Updating the trends and situation of ATS trafficking and its related money laundering activities.

• Sharing of knowledge and experience amongst the participating countries

• Developing counter regional ATS trafficking strategies and tactics

• Tightening of liaison among participating countries

"The source of these drugs is diverse and so is their variety. Fortunately, we have so far been able to contain the problem by deploying additional resources and vigorous enforcement action.

"Nevertheless, we are not complacent and firmly believe that crimes which are transnational in nature can only be effectively dealt with through international co-operation."

The Asian Regional ATS workshop was initiated and organised by the Australian Federal Police. The first meeting was held in Singapore last February, and the second meeting was held last July in Bangkok.