Crime

Laos Arrests More Than 550 in August Scam Crackdown

Laos has detained more than 550 people in raids targeting online scams and illegal gambling operations so far in August, as authorities step up a nationwide crackdown that has now netted more than 1,100 suspects since mid-July. The latest figures come after a series of raids across Vientiane Capital and...

Laos Seizes Nearly 1.8 Tonnes of Suspected Ivory, Black Panther Remains in Bolikhamxay Raid

On 16 August, Lao authorities detained 11 foreign nationals in connection with a wildlife...

Vientiane Authorities Detain Nearly 400 in Cybercrime Raids in Early-to-Mid August

Vientiane authorities have detained nearly 400 suspects in three separate raids since the start...

Laos Authorities Arrest Four in Alleged Marriage Trafficking Network

On 23 July, Lao authorities arrested four people suspected of operating a human trafficking...

Police Detain 261 Foreign Nationals in Thatluang Lake SEZ Scam Raid

On 8 August, Vientiane police raided a telecommunications fraud and online gambling operation at...

Laos Burns Massive Drug Hauls to Mark National Anti-Drug Day

Authorities in several provinces across Laos have destroyed significant quantities of confiscated narcotics in the lead-up to the Lao National Day Against Drug Abuse...

Ministry of Public Security Issues Nationwide Warning on Online Scams

On 30 September, the Ministry of Public Security issued a nationwide notice warning the public about online scams and providing detailed instructions for victims...

Houaphanh Police Seize 139 Live Animals in Wildlife Trafficking Crackdown

On 25 September, Houaphanh provincial police seized a vehicle suspected of wildlife smuggling and discovered 139 live animals hidden inside, weighing a total of...

Vientiane Court Issues Death Sentences in Major Drug Trafficking Case as Nationwide Crackdown Intensifies

On 18 September, the Vientiane Provincial People’s Court delivered harsh sentences to five individuals involved in serious criminal activities ranging from drug trafficking to...

Two Former EDL Officials Detained Over Transmission Line Corruption

The Lao government uncovered a new corruption case in a transmission line project, detaining two former Electricite du Laos (EDL) officials for using government...

US Orders Release of Lao Refugee Facing Deportation

Alan Phetsadakone, a 47-year-old Lao refugee in the United States, was released from federal custody on 6 September after a month and a half...