X-ray scanners planned at borders ahead of summit
ELEVEN X-ray scanners will be installed at international border crossings in the near future to prevent cross-border weapon smuggling and drug trafficking, according to the General Department of Immigration (GDI).
GDI said on May 4 that the X-ray machines, donated by the Japanese government, will help authorities to beef up security as Cambodia will host the ASEAN Summit in November.
GDI deputy director-general Long Habana – who is also the technical team leader for the management of the scanners – said the X-rays arrived on May 4 and that he had dispatched a team to receive them at Sihanoukville Autonomous Port.
He said they will be installed at 11 international border crossings soon.
Sek Sokhom, spokesman for Banteay Meanchey Provincial Administration, said the extra assistance with border security was especially timely.
“As Cambodia is to host the ASEAN Summit, it is really important that we strengthen security and prevent weapon smuggling and drug trafficking,” he said.
He said a delegation from the Cambodian military in charge of border security will travel to Thailand to attend a three-day meeting with their Thai counterparts from May 9-11.
“The meeting is aimed at boosting cooperation between Thai Military Region 1 and Cambodian Military Region 5 on tourism, education and transnational crimes, such as cross-border drug trafficking,” he said.
He said such meetings were held regularly between the armies of the two countries to promote cooperation and to ease tensions. Their aim was to make the border between the two nations a border of peace.
“Normally, these meetings take place once or twice a year, but they were postponed for the last two years owing to Covid-19,” he added.