§ Mr. ConnartyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to advance co-operation between the UK and Italy on combating organised crime. [91538]
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§ Mr. Mike O'BrienIn addition to regular and ongoing contacts with Italian partners the UK has appointed law enforcement liaison officers to our Embassy in Rome. These liaison officers work closely with the Italian law enforcement agencies and similar agencies in the region to disrupt and dismantle organised crime gangs involved in the illicit drugs trade, people trafficking and tobacco smuggling into the EU, particularly the UK.
Italy is leading on judicial reform in Afghanistan. The UK, which leads on counter narcotics, is working closely with them on updating Afghanistan's drug laws.