According to Thanh Hoa Provincial Police, the operation was carried out as part of ongoing international cooperation efforts in combating drug-related crimes.

After a lengthy investigation, authorities from Thanh Hoa and Houaphanh coordinated on May 6 to break up two cross-border drug trafficking cases.

Four suspects were arrested and 23.4kg of drugs and precursor chemicals were confiscated.

Investigators said the suspects admitted to exploiting transportation systems such as passenger buses and delivery services to move narcotics from the Golden Triangle region and the Lao capital Vientiane into Houaphanh Province before attempting to smuggle them into Vietnam for distribution.

During their operations, the suspects frequently changed methods and tactics in an effort to evade law enforcement detection.

Since September 2025, through coordinated investigations, Thanh Hoa police and Houaphanh authorities have established a joint special task force and uncovered two transnational drug trafficking networks.

Authorities have handled 14 cases involving 19 suspects connected to the illegal transportation and trading of narcotics from Laos into Thanh Hoa Province.

In recognition of the operation’s success, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Long, Deputy Minister of Public Security, sent a letter of commendation to Thanh Hoa Provincial Police on May 13.

The letter praised the force’s sense of responsibility, strategic coordination, courage and effectiveness in international cooperation against transnational drug crimes.

Le Duong