Law and 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...

No Answers: Families of Vang Vieng Methanol Poisoning Victims Demand Transparency from Lao Government

Families of victims who died from methanol poisoning in Vang Vieng, Laos, in November 2024 have voiced frustration over what they describe as a...

Authorities Crack Down on Illegal Forest Activity in Oudomxay

In Oudomxay Province, a report has emerged indicating that 674 cases of forest encroachment, forest destruction, and forest fires were recorded in 2024.  Across the...

Authorities Arrest Nine Suspects in Bolikhamxay Drug Raid

Police have arrested eight Thai nationals and one Lao national for their alleged involvement in an extensive drug trafficking operation following an investigation that...

Nationwide Raid Nets 1.44 Million Illegal Tobacco Packs in 2024

On 29 January, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce reported the seizure of over 1.44 million packs of counterfeit tobacco products in 2024. The confiscated...

Laos Reports 46 Human Trafficking Cases in 2024, 95 Arrested.

Laos recorded 46 cases of human trafficking in 2024, leading to the arrest of 95 individuals, including 43 foreign nationals, according to Deputy Minister...

Confiscate 2,483 Boxes of Illegal, Uncertified Steen Beer

On 27 January, trade officials confiscated 2,483 boxes of Vietnamese Steen beer that had been smuggled into Laos from the Southern Bus Terminal in...