Interfax: Despite sanctions, Russia continuing to share intelligence on drug trafficking with U.S. – official

Russian Drug Den File Photo

MOSCOW. March 26 (Interfax) – Despite the U.S. sanctions against Russia, the two countries are continuing to share intelligence concerning drug trafficking, says Russian Federal Drug Control Service chief Viktor Ivanov.

“Exchange of information is under way,” Ivanov said in an interview with Interfax.

Ivanov is among the Russians against whom the U.S. recently imposed sanctions because of the situation surrounding Crimea.

Ivanov said that, while he cannot travel to the U.S. due to the sanctions, Moscow is ready to receive the chief of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

“Let him come. As far as I know, this man is not on our blacklist,” Ivanov said.

“I have said publicly that we are willing to cooperate despite this gesture. It’s hard for me to explain it using normal logic,” Ivanov said about the U.S. sanctions.

“We are interested in working with the resources that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration possesses in Afghanistan. We are continuing this work,” Ivanov said.

“After all, only I, not the entire service, has been suspended from visiting the U.S.,” he said.

Speaking to journalists earlier on Wednesday, Ivanov said he had invited Acting Director of the U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy Michael Botticelli to Moscow.

“I’ve invited him to hold a joint working group meeting in Russia, in Moscow. The meeting is scheduled for May 14 this year. I hope they’ll come here,” Ivanov said.

[featured image is file photo]

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