The coronavirus pandemic is an opportunity for organized crime in Asia
To say the global novel coronavirus pandemic is causing chaos and affecting lives in real and tangible ways is certainly no understatement.
But one impact that has not received significant attention is how its spread is hurting the efforts of governments to combat transnational organized crime and trafficking — especially in Asia, where the outbreak began.
The virus and the strong measures required to combat its spread are challenging the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s (UNODC) ability to bring Asia’s law enforcement and justice authorities together to share information and intelligence, and to plan and conduct joint operations.
Though the movement of people and goods across borders has slowed, international and cross-border cooperation is more necessary than ever given the presence of multi-billion dollar trafficking syndicates in the region.
Jeremy Douglas
