18–19 November 2025, Nha Trang, Viet Nam

The World Customs Organization (WCO) Regional Intelligence Liaison Office for Asia and the Pacific (RILO A/P) and the UNODC Global Programme on Crimes that Affect the Environment (GPCAE) jointly hosted the Operation Mekong Dragon (OMD) VII Debriefing Meeting on 18–19 November 2025 in Nha Trang, Viet Nam. The ROCB A/P participated in this event to support regional cooperation and capacity building in combating illicit drug trafficking and environmental crimes.

Initiated under the leadership of China Customs and Viet Nam Customs, with support from RILO AP and UNODC, the OMD series has grown into one of the most impactful joint enforcement operations in the Asia/Pacific region. Bringing together Customs and law enforcement agencies from across the region, OMD has made significant contributions to intercepting illicit drugs, wildlife products, and other contraband linked to transnational organized crime.

The two-day debriefing meeting, attended by OMD focal points and enforcement experts, provided a platform for Members to review the results of OMD VII, discuss operational challenges, and consolidate lessons learned.

RILO A/P presented the overall updates and statistics of OMD VII, highlighting trends in drug trafficking and wildlife smuggling, key operational follow-ups, and challenges faced during the operation. Participating Members shared seizure data, post-seizure investigation progress, and recommendations for enhancing future operations.

As part of the discussions, the ROCB A/P emphasized its commitment to supporting Members through strengthened capacity building in areas closely linked to OMD priorities. This includes training on environmental crime enforcement, risk management, and cross-border cooperation—key elements that enable Customs administrations to respond more effectively to evolving trafficking trends.

The ROCB A/P also acknowledged the operational and institutional challenges shared by Members, noting the importance of continuous capacity development, especially in areas such as evidence handling, detection technologies, and interagency coordination. The insights gathered from this debriefing will contribute to shaping future training activities tailored to the needs of the region.

The meeting concluded with group discussions on operational enhancements and future expectations for OMD VIII. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining strong regional cooperation, improving information exchange, and applying the lessons learned to strengthen future enforcement efforts.

The ROCB A/P expresses its sincere appreciation to RILO A/P, UNODC, China Customs, Viet Nam Customs, and all participating Members for their continued dedication and collaboration. Operation Mekong Dragon remains a powerful example of how regional enforcement and capacity building can reinforce each other to combat transnational crime more effectively.

For more information, please contact: rocb@rocbap.org.