VIENTIANE: Police in Luang Prabang province have seized 521 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine that was allegedly about to be transported out of Laos aboard a private aircraft, with 13 people detained in connection with the case.
The operation took place at Luang Prabang International Airport on Oct 1 after provincial police received information about a suspected cross-border drug smuggling operation involving a private aircraft arriving from Malaysia.
Officers seized 500 packs of crystal methamphetamine weighing a total of 521kg. They also seized a Learjet private aircraft and a pickup truck as evidence, according to Lao Security Newspaper, citing a police report of the northern province.
Police detained 13 people, including the pilot, co-pilot and a foreign tourist, as well as three employees of a company and seven employees of Luang Prabang International Airport. Three of those detained are women.
The operation followed a tip-off received by provincial police on Sept 21 that a group was allegedly planning to smuggle narcotics across borders by air, using a private aircraft flying directly from Malaysia to Luang Prabang International Airport.
Police later learned that the flight schedule had been changed to Oct 1, with the aircraft scheduled to arrive at Luang Prabang International Airport at 1:30pm. Provincial public security authorities then instructed specialised units to monitor the situation.
During surveillance at the airport, officers saw two vehicles park in front of the terminal. Airport staff subsequently moved 23 suitcases from the vehicles through an X-ray machine and onto the aircraft. The two vehicles left the airport after the luggage had been unloaded.
Finding the activity suspicious, police inspected the luggage and discovered blue bags bearing a golden fish symbol. Twenty-one of the 23 suitcases contained white crystalline substances that were identified as crystal methamphetamine.
Police counted 500 packs of the drug with a combined weight of 521kg. The remaining two suitcases contained ordinary personal belongings weighing about 180kgThe seized aircraft was identified in the police report as a Learjet with flight registration N73GP. Authorities also confiscated a white Nissan pickup truck and other items connected to the case.
Police said they are coordinating with relevant authorities to continue questioning the 13 suspects and investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged smuggling operation.
The investigation is continuing to establish the facts of the case and enable authorities to take further action in accordance with the law. - Vientiane Times/ANN
