DEA Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon visits Beijing

WASHINGTON – Last week, Drug Enforcement Administaration Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon visited Beijing, China. Dhillon met with Chinese officials from the General Administration of Customs, the National Narcotics Laboratory, and the National Narcotics Control Commission, including Vice Commissioner Liu Yuejin. As a welcome to China, the Ministry of Public Security International Cooperation Division representatives hosted Acting Administrator Dhillon.

U.S.-China counternarcotics cooperation was a common theme throughout all of the bi-lateral meetings. DEA hopes to strengthen partnerships in the region by opening offices in Guangzhou and Shanghai. Both Vice Commissioner Yeujin and Acting Administrator Dhillon stressed the importance of their continued working relationship, and noted that it should serve as a stabilizing force. Liu requested assistance in sending Ministry of Public Security officers to the United States for technical training in order to develop MPS counternarcotics capacities, and to enhance information sharing and collaboration between DEA and the National Narcotics Control Commission. NNCC Deputy Director Tsang Wai-Hung (former Hong Kong police commissioner) intends to lead the requested MPS delegation to the United States, likely in late March.

Acting Administrator Dhillon expressed support of the visit and committed to facilitating the delegation. In addition to meeting with high-level officials, Acting Administrator Dhillon had the opportunity to tour the Chinese National Narcotics Lab in Beijing with U.S. Ambassador Branstad. Acting Administrator Dhillon commends the steps China continues to take to enforce its law and combat illicit drugs.

This was Acting Administrator Dhillon’s first trip to China and the Far East Region.