Suspects in custody in Borikhamxay province. - Vientiane Times/ANN
VIENTIANE: Police in Laos' Borikhamxay province last week raided a house where drugs were being manufactured and seized a large stash of drugs and equipment.
The incident began at 5pm on January 21, when police observed a suspect vehicle driving towards Vientiane. They contacted their counterparts at a checkpoint in Thaphabat district, who stopped and searched the vehicle.
The search revealed 97 packages of amphetamine containing 194,000 tablets, and 15 kilograms of crystal meth. Police detained two people travelling in the car.
During a search of a house in the area, police found two drug production machines, 30kg of crystal meth, 164kg of powder used to make amphetamine, 19kg of kratom leaves, and a range of equipment used in the production of drugs.
Following the raid, police detained six more people. The eight suspects, who are all Thai nationals, are now in police custody.
Questioning then led to the arrest of another suspect on January 26, who was named as Sithan, 48, from Sot village in Pakkading district, Borikhamxay province.
Police also seized a pick-up truck, a drug production machine, a shotgun and bullets, over 70kg of powder used in the production of drugs and other items.
The production, processing, trade, distributing, transport, possession, import and export of amphetamine, crystal meth or any other psychoactive substance is a violation of Lao law.
Authorities are now carrying out in-depth investigations to gather information and evidence, which will be forwarded to the courts so that a prosecution case can be processed.
Last year, Ministry of Public Security officials processed 3,395 drug-related cases.
The ministry’s efforts to combat drug addiction and trafficking nationwide have led to the arrest of 5,168 individuals, including 199 foreigners.
Authorities have seized almost 381kg of heroin, over 81 million amphetamine pills, over 4,800kg of crystal meth, 84.86kg of opium, almost 3,600kg of cannabis, and over 10,000kg of powdered drug mixtures and drug-related items.
Other items seized, which were allegedly related to drug offences, included 77 cars, 480 motorcycles, 10 guns, and 1,677 bullets.
In 2025, the government will focus on six tasks in its work plan on drug control.
These include raising public awareness of the illegality of drugs, strengthening legislation and law enforcement, upgrading the capacity of police, courts and prosecutors, enhancing coordination and implementation within government, delegating responsibilities, and increasing international cooperation. - Vientiane Times/ANN
