Breathtaking journey to capture drug addicts using grenades to fight back

In the first months of 2019, Nghe An Border Guard discovered a drug trafficking ring from the Golden Triangle area to Laos and back to Vietnam through the border of Nghe An province for consumption.

The organized crime ring is very complex with the participation of subjects on both sides of the Vietnam - Laos border, most of whom have long-standing family relationships. Their method is to gather drugs on the Lao side of the border, then smuggle them deep into our country for consumption.

Xong Ba Hu and Xong Ba Va. Photo: Hai Thuong

Based on the information obtained, in May 2019, the Nghe An Border Guard Command reported to the Border Guard Command to establish Project 381L and was approved for implementation by the Border Guard Commander.

Immediately afterwards, Nghe An Border Guard sent experienced detectives to investigate, verify related subjects, and thoroughly understand the operating rules of the criminal ring.

Among them, two subjects emerged: Xong Ba Hu and Xong Ba Va (both residing in Muong Ai commune, Ky Son district). Notably, Xong Ba Va illegally crossed the border and settled in Xieng Khouang province (Laos) for a long time.

Both are brothers with the same Xong family lineage. Both are lazy workers, so when some people deep in the interior of our country approached them and asked them to find a large source of drugs to supply, they quickly agreed.

From there, Xong Ba Hu and Xong Ba Va connected with drug dealers in the Golden Triangle area to transfer large quantities of "goods" to Laos into our country to make illegal profits. More dangerously, during the surveillance, the detectives also discovered that the two subjects were also in possession of grenades.

The grenade had the pin removed. Photo: Hai Thuong

In mid-July 2019, Task Force 381L received information that two subjects might be "carrying" a large quantity of drugs illegally into the country and then going deep into the interior of our country to deliver them to pre-arranged subjects.

Upon receiving the information, the Command Board of Project 381L held a meeting, developed plans, and proposed ambush scenarios to capture the subject. Special attention was paid to training in handling situations where the subject recklessly used "hot" weapons to fight back.

As expected, after all preparations were completed, on the evening of July 23, both subjects drove to the Vietnamese border. Here, being familiar with the terrain, they left the car behind, illegally entered our country, then rented a motorbike to continue their journey along National Highway 7A deep into Nghe An province. However, when they reached Ba village, Huu Kiem commune, Ky Son district, they were arrested by the ambush team of Project 381L, and all evidence was confiscated.

The amount of drugs seized by the police. Photo: Hai Thuong

During the arrest, these two subjects fought back fiercely. One subject pulled the pin of a grenade in an attempt to throw it at the police to escape. However, with their skillful martial arts skills and brave spirit, the detectives quickly approached and neutralized this large-scale weapon. The case ended with absolute safety.

At about 12:30 on July 24, 2019, in the area of ​​National Highway 7, Ba village, Huu Kiem commune, Ky Son district, the forces of the PCMT&TP Department, Nam Can International Border Guard Station, My Ly Border Guard Station (Nghe An Provincial Border Guard) presided over and coordinated with Ky Son District Police, Drug Control Team - Nghe An Provincial Customs Department to successfully fight Project 381L, arresting two subjects Xong Ba Hu (born in 1989) and Xong Ba Va (born in 1988), both residing in Muong Ai commune, Ky Son district, while they were illegally transporting drugs.

Evidence seized at the scene included 60,000 synthetic drug pills; 2 kg of crystal meth, and 1 grenade (pin removed).