Many SCO countries border the second largest drug production base in the world – the Golden Crescent which encompasses Iran, Afghanistan and Iraq. Knowing how to effectively tackle drug trafficking is becoming increasingly important for the SCO member countries.
Yao Peisheng, former Chinese ambassador to Kazakhstan, says drug trafficking in Central Asia usually has connection with weapon trafficking, and the "three forces" of separatism, extremism and terrorism, which brings a great threat to the region.
"The widespread problem of drug trafficking goes far beyond the drugs themselves. It is also connected to crime, corruption, terrorism, criminal gangs and transnational gangs. So fighting terrorism is a crucial task for the SCO and the crackdown on drug trafficking is an important part of it&quo
