Bolivia and Brazil have signed an agreement on launching joint anti-drug operations, Vice Minister of Social Defense Felipe Caceres said Wednesday.

During Monday and Tuesdays' meeting with Brazilian officials in Santa Cruz, the two sides discussed ways to reduce Bolivian drug supply and Brazilian demand, Caceres told a press conference.

The deal also includes exchange of intelligence on drug trafficking and other crimes, such as human trafficking and money laundering, as well as natural resources smuggling.

"There will be joint operations to fight organized crime by air, land and rivers," added Caceres.

He also said that Bolivia has approved a budget of 20 million U.S. dollars for the anti-drug fight, with additional funding of 16 million dollars.

The next meeting of the bilateral anti-drug talks will be held in July in the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo.

Bolivia and Brazil share a 3,700-kilometer borderline and the most vulnerable points are in San Matias, Puerto Quijarro and Cobija. Endi

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