News story

International agreement to fight illegal drug trade

The UK and Peru have signed a new agreement to crack down on illegal drug smuggling and organised crime

• From: Home Office and The Rt Hon James Brokenshire
• Published: 26 March 2013
• Last updated: 27 March 2013 — See all updates

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Home Office Security Minister James Brokenshire and Peruvian Vice Interior Minister Ivan Vega Loncharich sign the agreement

A new agreement has been signed between the UK and Peru to work more closely together to fight organised crime including illegal drug smuggling.

The memorandum of understanding was signed by Home Office Security Minister James Brokenshire and Peruvian Vice Interior Minister Ivan Vega Loncharich on Tuesday (26 March).

Drug smuggling

Peru is a key ally in the fight against illegal drugs and the UN estimates that more cocaine is produced and exported from there than anywhere else in the world. This agreement will mean further co-operation between the two countries to tackle the illegal drug trade and build on work that is already taking place.

Going forward the UK and Peru will exchange intelligence, work closer together on international investigations and share techniques and training to help build both countries’ ability to tackle organised crime.

Security Minister James Brokenshire said:

I am delighted to sign this memorandum of understanding with Peru. We are already doing good work with the Peruvian government and law enforcement to tackle drug smuggling at its source.

This agreement will see us build on that work and crack down on organised crime in general.

Published 26 March 2013
Last updated 27 March 2013 + show all updates

1. 27 March 2013

   Added in quote from James Brokenshire

2. 26 March 2013

   First published.