gambling, and immigration violations across Vientiane, Bokeo, and Savannakhet provinces.
Authorities detained hundreds of suspects and handed over or deported nearly 150 foreign nationals in just a few days.
Drugs and Gambling Networks Targeted
On 18 August, in Savannakhet’s Kaysone Phomvihane City, police dismantled a drug trafficking ring following a tip from a local resident. Officers arrested three suspects and seized tens of thousands of amphetamine pills, packets of drug-laced coffee, a pistol, and a large amount of cash.
The following day, police raided an online gambling operation operating from an office at Royal Square in Vientiane’s Sikhottabong district. Officers arrested seven Lao nationals who worked as chat administrators for the illegal site and seized dozens of computers and mobile phones used to run the operation.
Foreign Suspects Handed Over
Authorities then turned their attention to border enforcement.
On 20 August, Bokeo authorities handed over 152 Chinese and Thai nationals in two separate operations. Officials transferred 145 Chinese nationals, including 136 suspected of telecommunications fraud, to China through the Mohan Checkpoint. Immigration police also handed over seven Thai nationals to Thai authorities at the 4th Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge to face legal proceedings.
The following day, authorities handed over another 64 Thai nationals to Thailand in connection with the ST Vegas case.
As of 24 August, Lao authorities had transferred 332 of the 373 Thai nationals detained in that case to Thai authorities, leaving 41 in Lao custody.
On 22 August, police also raided several suspected cybercrime operations around the Sanjiang Market area in Vientiane, targeting activities run from hotels and apartments. Authorities have not yet released details about arrests or seized evidence.
Part of a Nationwide Campaign
The latest operations form part of a broader government campaign against online scams and other cross-border crimes.
Lao officials say authorities arrested more than 4,400 cybercrime suspects from 25 nationalities during the first half of 2026, followed by more than 1,000 arrests in July and nearly 1,000 in August.
The government has stepped up cooperation with China and Thailand to target scam networks, drug trafficking, and illegal immigration, particularly in border areas.
Investigations remain ongoing, with authorities continuing to trace additional suspects and identify those allegedly running the networks.
