Lao authorities have seized more than 110 kilograms of suspected illegal wildlife products and arrested a suspect in Luang Prabang as part of an ongoing crackdown on wildlife trafficking.
On 30 June, the Lao Wildlife Enforcement Network searched a property in Sangkhalok village, Luang Prabang, on suspicion of illegally trading protected wildlife products and animal parts.
According to state media, authorities confiscated hundreds of items believed to be derived from endangered species, including 486 suspected rhino horn pieces, 714 suspected ivory items, and three boxes of suspected pangolin scales.
Officers also seized two bags of suspected rhino horn powder, 213 cans and one bag of suspected elephant skin powder, 17 bags and 88 cans of suspected pangolin scale powder, and 77 suspected bear gallbladder products.
Additional items included suspected wildlife bones, 17 horn-like objects, four suspected animal teeth, 1,400 tubes and pills of herbal medicine believed to contain wildlife ingredients, and 10 machines allegedly used to process wildlife products.
Authorities said the suspect, identified as a Chinese national, will face legal proceedings under Lao law.
The seizure comes less than a month after another major wildlife trafficking operation in Luang Prabang.
On 13 June, authorities confiscated more than 60 kilograms of suspected illegal wildlife products, including 968 suspected ivory items, 112 suspected animal gallbladders, suspected pangolin scales, rhino horn products, herbal medicines believed to contain wildlife ingredients, and equipment used to process wildlife products.
In a separate operation announced on 17 June, authorities in Champasak province intercepted 294 live wild animals being transported on an international passenger bus traveling between Pakse and Bangkok, highlighting continued efforts to disrupt illegal wildlife trafficking networks across Laos.
