1 month Ago
Drugs Hidden in Blankets Lined With Aluminum
The heroin was found on Thursday during a routine customs examination. The drugs were concealed in aluminum-lined blankets that were stowed in two travel bags, Laotian officials said. The man was arrested soon after the discovery.
The arrest is part of a broader crackdown on drug trafficking across the nation. Security at the airport has been stepped up by officials in recent weeks and scores of drugs smuggling attempts have been busted.
Ongoing Anti-Drug Operations
Only a few days before the detention of the Dutch man, Laotian authorities made two separate drug busts at the same airport that resulted in the seizure of more than 134 kilograms of drugs. Those operations were conducted with cooperation between the Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Division, immigration police, customs police and airport staff.
The war on drugs has become a national priority of the Laotian government. Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone cited this position again just recently, stressing the need for rigorous enforcement to fight trafficking in the nation, particularly in the region of Golden Triangle.
A new report by the UNODC refers to a marked increase in synthetic drug production and trafficking in Southeast Asia, specifically in border regions shared by Laos, Myanmar and Thailand.
