Police Raid Nets Over 36 Million Amphetamine Pills
Source: Vientiane Times
Bokeo provincial police recently broke up a drug ring in Huayxai district when they arrested four suspects in possession of more than 4 tonnes of amphetamine.
The suspects were detained and named as Mr Xayborthor, 34, and Mr Muawa, 25, both from Kiewlom village in Paktha district, Bokeo province, and Mr Longvi, 26, and Ms Chueher, 29, both from Homyen village in Tonpheung district, Bokeo province.
After the raid, police impounded a car, five phones, 36,480,000 amphetamine tablets, 590 kilograms of crystal meth (ice), and several packages of heroin.
They are now investigating the source of the drugs and are broadening their search for others involved in the drug ring. The discovery of this huge stash of drugs is the largest interception so far this year. The drug trade in Bokeo province, which shares borders with Thailand and Myanmar, appears to be booming.
In October, police made another dent in the trade when they uncovered a stockpile of more than 55 million amphetamine tablets.
The discovery began when police stopped a truck carrying crates of beer and discovered 10 million amphetamine tablets hidden inside.
Acting on information supplied by the truck driver, police raided a house in the area and detained another man. During the raid, police found 262 sacks containing 55,664,000 amphetamine tablets and 65 bags of crystal meth.
In another drug haul in Bokeo last year, police found 6 million amphetamine tablets hidden in a pick-up truck that was driving through Tonpheung district.
And in December, Bokeo police arrested a man after finding him in possession of 7,225 tonnes of a chemical used in the production of drugs.
Bokeo is located within the Golden Triangle region and is a transit point for the illegal trade in narcotics. Provincial police are working with their counterparts in China, Thailand and Myanmar and other provinces of Laos to stamp out the drug trade in the Golden Triangle area.
The government is deploying more resources in suppressing drug abuse and trade and provincial police are beefing up efforts to clamp down on trafficking.
