Crime

Laos Reports COVID-Era Graft, Jails Former Official in Separate Corruption Cases

Authorities in Laos have disciplined 153 people and referred another 21 for judicial proceedings over a COVID-era scheme that allowed Chinese nationals to evade quarantine fees or pay rates above official limits, causing total losses of approximately USD 2.2 million. State Inspection Authority President Vansay Phongsavanh reported the case to...

Authorites Seize 23 Excavators in Two Illegal Gold Mining Raids in Vientiane

Authorities seized 23 excavators and other equipment during two raids on suspected illegal gold...

Authorities in Laos detained nearly 10,651 suspects of 31 nationalities in the first nine...

Laos Proposes Overhaul of Narcotics Classifications to Target Unlisted Drugs

Laos is proposing to expand its official list of prohibited narcotics and controlled chemicals...

Laos Hands Over Nearly 200 Suspected Scammers to Thailand, China in Early October

Laos handed 196 Chinese and Thai nationals back to authorities in their home countries...

Lao Authorities, Lao Bank Seek Legal Action Against Thai Media Over Money Laundering Claims

On 31 July, Lao authorities and Lao Development Bank (LDB) met with Thailand's Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) to pursue legal action against three social...

Over 1,000 Detained in July as Laos Expands Cybercrime Crackdown

Lao authorities detained 1,044 suspects linked to suspected online scam operations, illegal gambling, and telecom fraud during nationwide crackdowns in July, as the government...

Chinese Commerce Chamber Urges Businesses in Laos to Cut Ties with Scam Networks

The General Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Laos has told its members to check their businesses, properties and services to make sure they do...

Trendy ‘Squishy’ Toys Suspended in Laos Over Chemical Safety Concerns

Laos has ordered the immediate suspension of the import and sale of Squishy toys nationwide after authorities warned that some may contain hazardous chemicals...

Lao Government Suspends Mining Company Over River Pollution in Vang Vieng

The Lao government has ordered Daochalearn Mineral Processing Sole Co., Ltd. to immediately suspend its iron ore mining and processing operations in Vientiane Province...

Laos Suspends Vientiane Private Hospital Suspected of Organ Trafficking

The Ministry of Health announced the immediate closure of BLL Hospital after a Taiwanese media investigation published allegations of organ trafficking at the facility. Despite...