Almost 4.3 tonnes of drugs burnt to mark National Day Against Drugs

Authorities in Vientiane on Saturday set fire to more than 4.3 tonnes of narcotics seized during police raids across the country to commemorate the National Day Against Drug Abuse and Trafficking, which is observed on October 12.

Major General Khamking Phouilamanivong, Dr Atsaphangthong Siphandone  and representatives of international organisations set fire to a massive cache of drugs on Saturday.

The event was held in Dongmakkhai village of Xaythany district, and 17 kg of heroin, 1,137 kg of amphetamines, 15 kg of dried cannabis, 2,966 kg of crystal methamphetamine, 82 kg of opium and other narcotics went up in smoke.
The total amount of drugs destroyed at the event weighed 4,316 kg.
The event to mark the 21rd National Day Against Drug Abuse and Trafficking was attended by the Deputy Minister of Public Security, Major General Khamking Phouilamanivong, the Mayor of Vientiane, Dr Atsaphangthong Siphandone, guests and representatives of international organisations.
The public security force in Vientiane and other authorities jointly combat the problem of drugs. Over the past year, the police have solved 1,202 cases involving drugs and arrested 1,964 perpetrators, including 226 women.
Police seized numerous items, including 984,204 amphetamine pills, 78 kg of heroin, 40 kg of crystal meth, 1,997 kg of powder used in drug production and other types of drugs.
Drugs are a problem around the world, in the region and in Laos. Therefore, the government has made drug control and prevention part of the national agenda. To effectively combat drug abuse and illicit trafficking, the Vientiane administration office, in collaboration with central organisations, attaches importance to cooperation with friendly neighboring countries and beyond to combat and suppress drug abuse, illicit trafficking and transnational crimes along the borders.
In the future, police anticipate an increasing trend of drug abuse and illicit trafficking globally, regionally and in Laos. The perpetrators, particularly the major, medium, and retail drug cartels, will further illicit drug trafficking, transportation and distribution through various forms in many places. Officials also believe the drug problem will remain a challenging barrier hindering socio-economic development.
Against this backdrop, the public security force of Vientiane will enhance its activities for implementing the national agenda on combating drug abuse and illicit trafficking, amending legislations and laws that serve as the basis for drug control, prevention and suppression, and involving all sectors of society in drug control and prevention measures with the aim of gradually decreasing drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
Overall, police will concentrate on six priority areas of the national agenda - raising public awareness through education and dissemination of information on the adverse impacts of illicit drug and laws, participating in and exploring legislations on combating drug abuse and illicit trafficking, improving organisations and enhancing capacity-building of law enforcement bodies in Vientiane that are engaged in combating drug abuse and illicit trafficking, advancing the effectiveness of target management, supervision, and arrest of drug cartels, coordinating with relevant sectors of Vientiane capital and districts to improve the political views of relevant authorities at district and village levels on combating drug abuse and illicit trafficking, and strengthening international cooperation at bilateral and multilateral levels with friendly and neighboring countries.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update October 17, 2022)