A drug bust conducted throughout the night in neighboring Laos.

After a successful operation in Laos, Colonel Nguyen Chi Ty, Head of the Anti-Drug and Crime Prevention Department of the Nghe An Border Guard, returned to Vietnam and stated: "Thanks to effective intelligence gathering, thorough monitoring of the suspects' movements, and close coordination among the forces, the operation was swift and efficient, ensuring absolute safety for personnel and equipment, and achieving the desired results."

Two Lao nationals were arrested for transporting 18,000 synthetic drug pills.

(Baonghean.vn) - Two Lao nationals were arrested by a joint task force while transporting 18,000 synthetic drug pills.

The investigation began in November 2017, when detectives discovered a large-scale drug trafficking ring exploiting the cross-border trade between Laos and Vietnam. Several Lao nationals colluded with Vietnamese individuals, purchasing drugs in the Golden Triangle, transporting them through Laos, and then attempting to smuggle them into Vietnam for sale.

Old Man Xuc Van Xay and the Kiln. Photo: Hai Thuong

Upon receiving the information, the Nghe An Border Guard Command sought guidance from relevant agencies. The Xieng Khouang Provincial Police also reported to the Lao Ministry of Public Security, requesting the establishment of an investigation. With the agreement of the relevant agencies of both countries, Special Case 365LV was established. The Nghe An Border Guard Command deployed elite scouts, skilled in both professional operations and fluent in Lao, to closely monitor the suspects.

Shortly after the case was opened, the investigators provided complete information about the origin, routes, and key figures in the multinational drug trafficking and transportation ring.

Accordingly, the ringleader was identified as Gia Xuc Van Xay (27 years old, residing in Xay district, Udom Xay province, Laos). Despite his young age, Gia Xuc Van Xay was very cunning in his illegal drug trafficking activities. Assisting Gia Xuc Van Xay was Lo Dao (31 years old, residing in Na Xay Thoong village, Na Xay Thoong district, Vientiane capital, Laos).

18,000 synthetic drug pills were seized. Photo: Hai Thuong

The most distinctive feature of Gia Xuc Van Xay was his leg disability (he walked with one leg shorter than the other). Because of this, all of Gia Xuc Van Xay's movements were closely monitored by undercover agents.

Based on an analysis of the actual situation, the Nghe An Border Guard Command proactively requested the Xieng Khouang Provincial Police (Laos) to join forces in combating and dismantling this organized drug trafficking ring. In the final days of the lunar year, due to high demand, Vietnamese partners needed large quantities of drugs. This time, Gia Xuc Van Xay and his accomplice Lo Dao personally went to the Golden Triangle to purchase the drugs.

After acquiring a large quantity of drugs, Xay and his accomplices drove towards the Vietnamese border. Upon reaching Udomxay province (Laos), to avoid detection, Xay changed vehicles. Since it was still daylight in Udomxay, Xay discussed with Lo Dao the plan to wait until nightfall before cutting through the forest to reach the Vietnamese border.

After 8 PM on January 12th, as a cold frost descended upon Udom Xay, and families in the surrounding area began to turn off their lights and go to bed, Gia Xuc Van Xay and Lo Dao disguised a large quantity of drugs in travel backpacks and cut through the forest towards the Vietnamese border. However, Gia Xuc Van Xay and his accomplices' attempt to cut through the forest was thwarted before dawn.

The suspect and evidence were handed over to the Lao authorities. Photo: Hai Thuong

At 5:00 AM on January 13th, in Tha Choc village, Pec district, Xieng Khouang province (Laos), the anti-drug and crime prevention forces of the Nam Cam International Border Gate Border Guard Post, Nghe An Border Guard Command, in coordination with the Xieng Khouang Provincial Police (Laos), arrested Lo Dao and Gia Xuc Van Xay while they were transporting 18,000 synthetic drug pills.

According to an informant, although the weather in Laos was very cold at night, sometimes dropping below 4 degrees Celsius, the joint forces of the Nghe An Border Guard and their Lao counterparts, with their resolute spirit in combating crime, overcame the difficulties of the weather and climate, staying up all night to track down the suspects and successfully apprehend them.

The suspect and evidence have now been handed over to the Xieng Khouang Provincial Police (Laos) for further investigation.

Hai Thuong