Base and prefecture law-enforcement officials discuss anti-smuggling

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Rachel Martinez
  • 35th Fighter Wing public affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Members of the 35th Security Forces Squadron, Air Force Office of Special Investigations and Naval Criminal Investigative Services were invited to attend an anti-smuggling conference in Hachinohe.

The 2007 Hakodate Customs Hachinohe-Aomori District Joint Anti-Smuggling Conference was held Oct. 22 in Hachinohe. The conference covered the control of offenses regarded as social evils involving narcotics, stimulant drugs and guns, and the recent trend of smuggling.

Prefecture police chiefs, customs officials from Hachinohe and Hokkaido, the prefecture chief of immigration and the regional director of the Japanese Coast Guard were all in attendance. The purpose of the conference was to share information and provide important updates about criminal activities in the area.

"The conference provided us an invaluable opportunity to strengthen relationships with our Japanese law enforcement partners and participate in discussions that affect the safety and security of everyone in our region," said Maj. Scott Sanford, 35th SFS commander.

Major Sanford was asked to provide a short presentation about global terrorism trends at the conference. His presentation included a short video that depicted footage of terrorist attacks in Iraq and Afghanistan, including vehicle borne and roadside improvised explosive device attacks. The video provides law enforcement officials insight into the methods used by terrorists.

"We were honored to share in the discussions, meet key law enforcement and customs officials and provide the forum a short presentation about global terrorism trends," Major Sanford said. "We emphasized that the efforts in Japan to curb drug and contraband trade also help us fight the Global War on Terrorism since many extremists and terrorist organizations use the profits of these sales to finance their cause."

The importance of conferences such as the anti-smuggling conference can be summed up in a line from Major Sanford's presentation - "Maintaining constant guard against these global threats through smart and constantly evolving security practices is paramount and crucial to continued progress and prosperity."