During the first nine months of 2024, authorities in Vientiane Capital confiscated a total of 15.5 million narcotics pills and arrested 1,273 criminals, with 82 offenders being foreigners.
Revealing the statistic was Chief of Vientiane Capital Public Security Bouaphanh Fongmany during his report on narcotics substances on 30 October. Bouaphanh explained that the law enforcement had managed to crack 739 drug-related cases, seizing three kilograms of amphetamine pills, 2,266 methamphetamine pills, and other unidentified substances.
Beyond drugs, the authorities also confiscated various illegal assets, such as 51 cars, two AK-46 assault rifles, 52 bullets, THB 1 million (USD 29,501), USD 20,138, and VND 25 million (USD 986.78)
In response to the growing drug issues, the Vientiane Public Security Department plans to increase the awareness of society in regards to the danger of narcotic substances through educational campaigns and community training.
The department also aims to strengthen its investigative capabilities, working closely with district and village authorities to encourage proactive monitoring and reporting of suspected drug activities.
Apart from the capital, Bokeo Province, notorious for its prevalent drug activities, also witnessed the crackdown of two major drug cases back in February this year.
The first case saw the provincial authorities seizing a total of 8 million amphetamine pills from a black Toyota Vigo after failing to capture the driver while the second occurrence observed the apprehension of 20 kilograms of methamphetamine pills and two pick-up trucks after a resident tip-off about drug trafficking operations.
Drug trafficking has been a long-standing issue, not just in Laos but also around Southeast Asia, leading to the collaboration of Laos and Thailand. This was further reiterated during the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits when Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and his Thai counterpart Paetongtarn Shinawatra agreed to prioritize joint efforts to combat drug trafficking, human trafficking, online scams, and cross-border haze pollution.
