ANTISMUGGLING OFFICE MOVED FROM H.K., OPENS IN TOKYO

TOKYO, Jan. 20 (Kyodo) -- An office organized by customs authorities from
24 Asian and other countries and territories to exchange information on
drug and other smuggling opened Wednesday in Tokyo after relocating from
Hong Kong.

The Regional Intelligence Liaison Office (RILO) moved to the customs house
in Minato Ward.

The relocation is expected to help customs authorities in the Asia-Pacific
region strengthen their cooperation and pursuit of cases, RILO officials said.

They added the office intends to reinforce cooperative ties with the
National Police Agency.

Opium and heroin are mostly produced in Asia and stimulants, made in China
and elsewhere, are brought in large volumes to Japan.

RILO was set up in 1987 and had since been located in Hong Kong. The Tokyo
office is staffed by eight people.