Journey to destroy drug case from the golden triangle

(Baonghean.vn)- Project 056AV,The investigation began in mid-June 2016, when detectives discovered a large drug ring taking advantage of the cross-border trade between Laos, Thailand and Vietnam; a number of Thai nationals connected with Lao and Vietnamese nationals, then went through the Golden Triangle to buy heroin, transported it to Laos, and then found a way to cross the border and bring the heroin into Vietnam for consumption.

At about 7:30 p.m. on November 21, 2016, at Ban Ly, Pec district, Xieng Khouang, Laos, the Department of Drug and Crime Prevention of the Border Guard Command (PCMT - TP BTLBP), Nghe An Provincial Border Guard in coordination with Xieng Khouang Provincial Police (Laos) arrested 4 subjects: Chiramet (born 1984), Chaikitkun (born 1982), Saesong Tho (born 1973), all 3 of Thai nationality, and Nuxong (born 1994), residing in Na U village, Xom Phan district, Phong Xa Ly province, Laos.

The evidence seized at the scene was 69 heroin cakes, 02 pickup trucks and many other related documents. It is known that this is the largest drug seizure case ever successfully dismantled by Nghe An Border Guard in coordination with other functional forces.

Having just returned from the success of a major project, Lieutenant Colonel Le Tham Muu, Deputy Head of the Drug and Crime Prevention Department (PCMTVTP) of Nghe An Border Guard, said: "Thanks to good reconnaissance work, grasping all movements of the subjects, and close coordination between forces, the battle took place quickly, ensuring absolute safety of people and vehicles, achieving the expected results."

Upon receiving the information, the Department of Drug Crime Prevention - Border Guard (BĐBP) coordinated with the Nghe An Border Guard to send experienced detectives to monitor. Using professional measures, just a short time later, the detectives provided complete information about the origin, route as well as the key subjects in the multinational drug trafficking and transportation ring. Accordingly, the ringleader was identified as Chaikitkun, a Thai national. In addition, there were a number of other subjects in areas such as Laos and Vietnam participating in drug trafficking and transportation. This multinational drug ring operated very closely, used hot weapons, and was ready to fight back against the authorities when discovered.

Based on the analysis of the actual situation, the Drug Crime Prevention Department of the Border Guard Command and the Nghe An Border Guard proactively proposed to the Xieng Khouang Provincial Police (Laos) to join in the fight and dismantle this complex drug trafficking ring. In mid-June 2016, Project 056AV was established by the Drug Crime Prevention Department of the Border Guard Command and the Nghe An Border Guard in coordination with the Xieng Khouang Provincial Police. Since then, drug lord Chaikitkun and his close followers Chiramet, Saesong and Nuxong have always been approached and closely monitored by detectives.

Under the guise of Thai tourists transiting through Laos to Vietnam, Chaikitkun and his accomplices often traveled to different locations but in reality were looking for sources and partners to supply drugs. While following the subject, the detectives noticed that Chaikutkin rarely personally "transacted" unless it was a large shipment. This mission was no exception. When the "partner" in Vietnam asked to contact him to get the goods, two of his followers, Chiramet and Saesong Tho, were sent to negotiate. However, when his juniors returned and informed him that the "partner" needed a "huge amount of goods", Chaikitkun personally made an appointment to meet and negotiate the price and method of supplying the goods to the partner. To have enough goods, Chaikitkun personally went with his followers to the Golden Triangle to buy heroin to supply to the partner.

Four subjects and evidence of the case

On time to facilitate the move to the delivery location in Laos, Nuxong, a Laotian who is familiar with the area, was assigned to be a navigator. The large quantity of goods was disguised in a blue striped sack, under the name of tourists from Thailand going to famous tourist destinations in Laos. However, the transaction was not carried out when the 4 subjects were arrested by the Anti-Drug Crime Department of the Border Guard Command, Nghe An Border Guard in coordination with Xieng Khouang Provincial Police, along with all the evidence including 69 heroin cakes, 2 cars and many other related evidence.

Colonel Nguyen Cong Luc - Deputy Commander of Nghe An Border Guard said: "The success of the project is due to the preparation, proper implementation of professional measures and direction of the forces to coordinate smoothly, so the project was successful according to plan, ensuring absolute safety for the forces on duty and contributing to preventing transnational drug trafficking activities".

This is considered an outstanding achievement of the Border Guard force in general and Nghe An Border Guard in particular in the fight to "prevent the white regime" from infiltrating Nghe An.

The case has been handed over to Xieng Khouang Provincial Police (Laos) for further investigation.

Hai Thuong