JOHANNESBURG

Delegates from over 100 countries have gathered in Cape Town for the 2nd Interpol Conference on Global Drugs and Illicit Substances Trafficking to discuss ways of combating illegal drugs and substance trafficking.

Speaking at the conference late Tuesday, South Africa’s Police Minister Bheki Cele said the world needs to work together in defeating the illicit tracking of drugs which is destroying the future of young people, globally depriving their countries of future leaders.

"We need to come together and work hard more than before to stop the scourge of drugs," Cele told delegates at the conference.

He also urged Interpol delegates to continue sharing information and resources in combating global drug tracking and crime as before.

Conference participants included law enforcement officers as well as representatives of key regional and international bodies specializing in the fight against illicit drugs trafficking.

The conference, which has attracted hundreds of delegates, was officially opened by Interpol President Kim Jong Yang.

He called on participants to strengthen cooperation at various levels including national, continental and international levels in combating drug trafficking.

The conference, themed "Pushing frontiers for effective global drug enforcement", is held on Sept. 17-19.