PDEA forges ties with Saudi to fight illegal drugs

MANILA, Philippines - A delegation from the narcotics control body of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has visited the Philippine Drug Enforcement  to foster closer interaction and stronger bilateral cooperation between the two nations toward fighting illegal drugs.

PDEA director general Arturo Cacdac Jr. said  officials from the Saudi’s General Directorate for Drug Control headed by  Major General Othman Nasser Almhrij visited the agency this month.
The Saudi delegation will be in the country until  May 31,  Cacdac said

"We are honored to have as guests our counterparts from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Their visit to the PDEA National Headquarters in Quezon City served as an avenue to showcase PDEA’s operational capabilities and facilities for them to have a better understanding of our organization and the current drug trends affecting the national drug situation in the country," Cacdac said.

Last May 1,  Cacdac was invited as guest during the 2nd Regional Symposium on Narcotics Control and Information Exchange in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

"We are returning the favor.  My visit to Riyadh has been a very pleasant one. The symposium was an excellent opportunity to open lines of communication, share operational experiences and knowledge about international drug syndicates engaged in drug trafficking and the best possible practices in combating them," Cacdac added. - Dennis Carcamo