The police in Khamkeuth district, Borikhamxay province recently seized almost 200 kilogrammes of dry cannabis being transported by a Daehan pick-up truck and apprehended a man in connection with the haul.
The police officer in charge of drug control and supervision of the province told Vientiane Times yesterday that after they received a tip-off that a quantity of illegal drugs was being transported through Khamkeuth district they set up a roadblock to stop and search the suspect vehicle.
When police set up the roadblock on Road No 8A in Phontan village, they saw the pick-up travelling at high speed and proceeded to stop the vehicle but the driver drove off.
However the police were able to follow the pick-up until the driver lost control along the roadside and then arrest Mr Wayangsong, 50, of Phameuang village, Khamkeuth district. Mr Wayangsong’s younger brother was able to escape on foot.
Police checked inside the pick-up and found 14 bags of dry cannabis weighing 192 kilogrammes concealed within.
Mr Wayangsong told police that he and his brother transferred the dry cannabis to be sent to customers at KM20 so the police set up the roadblock.
In April, Borikhamxay Drug Prevention and Control Department also arrested two men and confiscated cannabis weighing over 209 kilogrammes.
Under the amended Article 146 of the Lao Criminal Law, a sentence of between five to 10 years imprisonment and financial punishments will be imposed on those convicted of illegally producing, stockpiling, trading, importing, exporting or transporting precursor chemicals weighing less than 500 grammes.
Between 10 to 20 years imprisonment and financial punishment will be given to those convicted of similar offences involving precursor chemicals weighing between 500 grammes to one kilogramme.
Life imprisonment and financial punishment will be handed to those engaged in similar offences involving precursor chemicals weighing from between one to 10kgs.
Meanwhile, the death penalty will be imposed on those engaged in drug related offences involving precursor chemicals weighing more than 10kg.
Between three to seven years imprisonment and financial punishment will be given to those convicted of illegally stockpiling, importing, exporting or transporting dry cannabis weighing between 5-10kg for trading purposes in Laos.
Six months to three years imprisonment and financial punishment will be given to those engaged in similar involvement with dry cannabis weighing less than 5kg.
Similar involvement with dry cannabis weighing more than 10kg will receive five to 10 years imprisonment and financial punishment.
For cases involving actual refined drugs as opposed to precursor chemicals, the penalties are as follows:
For the possession, trading, sale or trafficking of synthetic drugs such as amphetamines, ecstasy, ice or crystal methamphetamines or other mind altering substances, the punishment shall be 5-10 years imprisonment and financial penalties for quantities ranging between 0.3 and 100 grammes.
For the possession, trading, sale or trafficking of between 100-500 grammes of any such substances the punishment under the law is 10-20 years in jail and financial penalties.
Meanwhile life imprisonment is the penalty for offences involving between 500 grammes and 3kg of any amphetamine type substances , ecstasy or any illicit drugs.
Carrying more than 3kg of any of these substances shall see the offender subject to the death penalty.
Source: Vientiane Times
