Vietnam, Laos seize 5.5 metric tons of drugs in largest-ever raid



LAOS: -- In a joint drug suppression operation, Vietnamese and Lao authorities have cracked down on the biggest drug trafficking cartel so far, led by a Thai national, Tuoi Tre News reported.

Senior Lieutenant Colonel Vo Trong Hai, chief of the Border Soldiers unit in the central province of Ha Tinh, on Saturday confirmed that his unit and relevant agencies in Laos had seized over 5.5 metric tons of drugs from a ring in Laos.

After learning of the cartel illegally stockpiling, transporting and trading in drugs in Paksane District, of Bolikhamsai province, the Vietnamese unit immediately worked closely with Laotian police in a joint operation.

On Thursday, a joint task force raided a resident’s home in Paksane and apprehended 11 people along with 3.5 metric tons of drug precursors and two metric tons of dried marijuana.

“This is the largest seizure that the Ha Tinh border soldiers unit and Laotian police have jointly made so far,” Senior Lieutenant Colonel Hai stressed.

During investigation, a 47-year-old Thai national, pleaded guilty to heading the ring.

After stockpiling drugs in Paksane, the group sneaked loads into neighboring countries, including Vietnam.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/vietnam-laos-seize-5-5-metric-tons-of-drugs-in-largest-ever-raid

-- Thai PBS 2015-07-27

" in a joint operation"

" in a joint operation"

What a Splifin comment - well done