Border guards in Nghe An Province are investigating a cross-border drug trafficking network after arresting a Lao national accused of transporting 3,200 methamphetamine pills into Vietnam.
The Nghe An Provincial Border Guard Command announced on July 20 that the investigation was continuing following the suspect's arrest.
At around 8.15 pm on July 18, officers caught Xong Nhia Xenh, born in 1995 and a resident of Houaphanh Province, Laos, allegedly transporting illegal narcotics in Pieng Pen Village, My Ly Commune, Nghe An Province.
Authorities seized 16 packets containing a total of 3,200 methamphetamine tablets, commonly known locally as hong phien.
During questioning, Xong admitted transporting the drugs from Laos into Vietnam for sale in exchange for profit, investigators said.
He told officers that he was intercepted by Vietnamese border guards shortly after crossing into the area of Pieng Pen Village with the drugs.
The Nghe An Provincial Border Guard Command said officers are expanding the investigation to identify other suspects linked to the trafficking operation while completing legal procedures to prosecute the case in accordance with Vietnamese law.
