22 drivers found positive for narcotic drugs
Chinese drug trafficker arrested in Mong Cai

Police in Lai Chau Province busted more than 150 drug cases in the first six months of the year, seizing more than 12.3kg of drugs. Photo for illustration. — VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Thuy

They also seized more than 12.3kg of drugs, nearly 3,000 opium poppies and arrested 183 traffickers, vietnamplus.vn reported.

In June alone, the action month for drug prevention and control, the police busted 62 cases and captured 66 drug traffickers.

Although the provincial anti-drug forces have made great efforts to fight against drug trafficking, there has still been an increase.

Colonel Bui Gia Luot, deputy director of Lai Chau Province Police, said the high profits from illegal trading, limited awareness within ethnic minorities and low economic conditions of local residents were the reasons for the rise.

Drug traffickers often take advantage of the terrain with mountains and borders between Vietnam and neighbouring countries to transport drugs, he said.

He said in the future, police will continue to set out solutions, work closely with domestic and foreign agencies and raise public awareness about the issue, especially among students and young people.

On Wednesday, police in the northern border province of Lao Cai have arrested two men accused of smuggling 3.5kg of heroin.

Sen. Lieut. Colonel Do Tuan Son, head of Lao Cai City’s police division, said on Wednesday the men are Sung A Nhia, born in 1987 and residing in Nam Chua Commune, Nam Bo District, northern Dien Bien Province, and Thao Seo Su, born in 1990 and residing in Sin Cheng Commune, Si Ma Cai District, Lao Cai Province.

The police arrested the pair in Lao Cai City, and found the drugs in their backpacks.

The men confessed that they bought the heroin from China and intended to sell it for VND1.5 billion (US$64,500).

In June, Lao Cai’s police also caught three men who illegally transported 16 bricks of heroin in Muong Khuong District.

This was an inter-provincial and trans-national drug trafficking ring from Laos to the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak, and via Lao Cai to China.

VNS