Vietnam, Laos team up against drug, cross-border crime
The Son La Provincial Border Guard and Laos’ Huophan provincial police signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in fighting against drug trafficking and cross-border crime on October 29.
Son La has a long common borderline of 217 km with the Lao province. This northwestern region of Vietnam is known for its abrupt terrain and huge mountain ranges creating long twisted mountain passes, a convenient place for criminal activities, especially drug-related crimes.
Thus, a large number of crimes such as killings, robberies, illegal immigration and human trafficking have occurred in the locality.
To address the situation, the two sides signed the first MoU on the issue in July 2008, laying the foundation for specific cooperation activities.
The two forces have conducted the regular exchange of information and mutual patrols and arrested hundreds of drug trafficking suspects since 2008.
Notably, the Vietnamese border guard seized 50 packs of heroin and 398 methamphetamine pills on November 2, 2009.
On this occasion, the two sides presented awards to outstanding individuals and units, recognizing their contribution to cross-border and drug crime prevention and fighting over the past years.