Lao police solve 2,508 drug cases in 2016

Lao police solved 2,508 drug cases, and arrested 3,740 people including 558 women in 2016, the Drug Prevention and Control Department of Lao Ministry of Public Security has said.

Among those arrested, there were 74 foreigners, Lao state-run Vientiane Times on Thursday quoted Khampheng Xayalath, Director General of the Department as saying.

During the past year, Lao police also seized more than 1,869 kg of amphetamine, 188 kg of heroin, 425 kg of cannabis, 144 kg of crystal methamphetamine, among others.

Police also seized 97 cars, 335 motorbikes, 58 guns, 101 bullets, 22 bombs, and other items owned by drug dealers.

Under amended Criminal Law of Laos, the punishment for possession, trading, sale or trafficking of synthetic drugs such as amphetamines, ecstasy, ice or crystal methamphetamine or other mind altering substances of between 0.3 and 100 grams is five to 10 years imprisonment plus financial penalties.

For the possession, trading, sale or trafficking of 100-500 grams of any such substances, the punishment under the law is 10-20 years in jail plus financial penalties.

Meanwhile life imprisonment is the penalty for offences involving between 500 grams and 3 kg of any amphetamine type substance, ecstasy, or any illicit drug. The death penalty can be handed down to anyone found guilty of carrying more than 3kg of any of these substances.

Lao National Commission for Drug Control and Supervision said recently that Laos has again become a significant producer of opium, while drug use, in particular the use of amphetamine-type substances (ATS) known as yabaa, appears to be on the rise. Endit