MJIB awarded for work against drug trafficking

The Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau (MJIB) has received an award from the Philippine government for its contribution to cross-border crackdowns on drug trafficking and production, a bureau official said yesterday.

The MJIB sent some staff members to take part in a six-country conference on international cooperation in fighting drug trafficking last August.

As drug-trafficking intelligence provided by the MJIB's drug-fighting center was very useful, Philippine authorities invited the MJIB to take part in its special task force responsible for investigating drug-related crimes.

The MJIB designated Hsueh Pao-shu (薛寶樹), an MJIB official posted at Taiwan's representative office in Manila, to serve as a liaison officer.

Between September 2005 and May 2005, MJIB officers joined their American and Philippine counterparts in busting two amphetamine-producing facilities on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao, and a ketamine facility in Quezon City in Manila.

Philippine Interior Secretary Angelo Reyes presented a citation to the MJIB earlier this week in recognition of its drug-fighting achievements, the official said.

The Philippines was the second foreign country to have recognized the MJIB's accomplishments.

Last November, the Japanese customs authorities presented a citation to the MJIB for its assistance in seizing a freighter intending to smuggle 113kg of amphetamines into Japan.