S'PORE, US TAKE ON DRUG RINGS

SINGAPORE and the United States signed a ground-breaking mutual
legal-assistance treaty yesterday to fight drug traffickers and drug-money
laundering.

The Drug Designation Agreement (DDA) was signed by Singapore Minister for
Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law, Professor S. Jayakumar, and the US
ambassador here, Mr Steven Green, at the Westin Plaza Hotel.

The agreement, which followed three years of negotiations, is the first of
its kind between Singapore and another country.

The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) said in a statement that the
accord laid the foundation for future cooperation between the two countries.

Singapore and the US can now assist each other in investigations,
prosecutions and proceedings involving drug trafficking and drug
money-laundering offences.

It provides a framework for the two countries to cooperate in witness
testimonials, releasing documents and records, tracking down suspects or
evidence, executing requests for searches and seizures, as well as freezing
and forfeiting drug money.

According to DEA administrator Donnie Marshall, this should result in
"significant seizures of illegal drug money''.

"The drug syndicates who control worldwide drug trafficking are far too
powerful and resourceful for any one nation to fight them alone.''

Prof Jayakumar admitted that the two sides went through "some difficult
patches'' during the negotiations.

"However, both sides pressed on and made pragmatic compromises. The
agreement testifies to the close relations and long-standing friendship
between Singapore and the US.'' he said.