While facing impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, regional countries including Myanmar are dealing with the growing transnational crimes.

In order to tackle increasing transnational crimes, it is very important to tackle the root of the problems.

The drugs seized in the 2019-2020 financial year is 6.5 per cent higher than in previous years. It is found that terrorism is deeply connected with the drug trafficking in our country.

These facts have alerted us to the need for enforcing measures to fight against offenses related to terrorism and financing of terrorism, trafficking in humans and smuggling of migrants, illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, illicit drugs trafficking, trafficking of stolen and other illicit goods, corruption, fraud, counterfeit money, counterfeit goods, murder or causing grievous bodily harm, kidnapping, illegal restraint and hostage-taking, robbery or theft, smuggling, extortion, forgery, converting or transferring any money and property known, or believed, to have been obtained through the commission of an offence.

Myanmar is facing drug problems that are more associated with geographical and political situations and also connected with terrorism.

The remote and under-developed regions of our country are suffering from illicit opium cultivation, heroin and methamphetamine production, as well as drug use problems.

Terrorism along with cross-border migration, poverty, lack of the rule of law and security are all connected with the Rakhine State issue.

Complex cross-border crimes such as human-trafficking, drug trafficking, and illicit trade are impediments to the development of human society in all countries. The mechanics of these interconnected crimes and their linkage to the formal economy should be well-managed.

Besides, Target 16.5 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda calls for substantial reduction of corruption and bribery in all their forms and the development of effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels.

To reach this target, we must significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets, and combat all forms of organized crimes by 2030.

Our anti-pandemic measures should not lead to stagnation in fighting transnational crimes including terrorism, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and an increase in unemployment, which has triggered crimes.

Dealing with evolving emerging threats, in the current and post pandemic world is everybody’s concern.

GNLM