Drug trafficking ring busted near Vietnam-Laos border

Border guards from Vietnam’s Thanh Hoa province in coordination with the Security Command of Laos’ Houaphanh province razed a large-scale drug processing and trafficking ring in Laos’ Sam Neua district on April 3.

Arrested were Thao Dia Giang Ho (36 years old), Mang Xay Giang (35), Thao Dia Ho (36), Mang Xay Vang (27), and Mang Xay Giang (18) all residing in Na Liu hamlet, Sam Neua district.

Authorities seized 8kg of heroin, 1,250 ecstasy tablets, two guns, 20 detonators, US$9,800 and more than 43.5 million Kip (the Lao currency).

A preliminary investigation reveals that the ring involved the purchase of heroin (powder) from Myanmar and northern Laos and transporting it across the border into Vietnam and then on to third countries.

Lao authorities continue to investigate the case.