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Russia, Honduras sign anti-drug deal

The agreement will ensure exchange of information and best practices on counteraction to drug trafficking in Russia and Honduras

MEXICO CITY, January 29, 8:25 /ITAR-TASS/. An agreement on cooperation between Russia and Honduras in the fight against drug trafficking offers a vast array of opportunities.

The document was signed in Tegucigalpa on Tuesday by Honduran Security Minister Arturo Corrales and head of the Russian Federal Drug Control Service Viktor Ivanov, who made a visit to Honduras during his Latin American tour.

“The trafficking of drugs and their precursors poses a serious threat to health and prosperity of the two countries’ population,” the high-ranking officials said, expressing interest in taking effective anti-drug measures “within the framework of their competence and in compliance with the two countries’ laws and international obligations.”

The agreement will ensure exchange of information and best practices on counteraction to drug trafficking in Russia and Honduras, Ivanov told Itar-Tass. The two countries’ drug trafficking services will conduct joint anti-drug raids and train drug police. The deal also envisages the two countries’ assistance in preventing laundering of money by drug merchants.

Cooperation of the Russian Federal Drug Control Service with Central American countries was of great importance as this region proved to be a major channel for trafficking cocaine from South America, Ivanov said, adding that of late traffickers started to boost drug supplies to Europe, what posed a potential threat to Russia.

Russian ambassador to Nicaragua Nikolai Vladimir, who also heads diplomatic missions in Honduras and Salvador, said the two countries were drafting an intergovernmental agreement to counteract drug trafficking. Central American countries demonstrate great interest in borrowing Russia’s anti-drug experience.

During his visit to Honduras Viktor Ivanov led the Russian delegation to inauguration of new Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez and held meetings with high-ranking officials of the Central American country. It is worth noting that the new Honduran leader set counteraction to drug trafficking and international cooperation in this sphere as priority tasks for his presidency.