The Son La Provincial Police and the Hua Phan Provincial Police (Lao People's Democratic Republic) signed a memorandum of understanding in 2023.
Son La Province shares a 274km border with the two Laotian provinces of Houaphanh and Luang Prabang. Recently, the police forces of the three provinces have strengthened their cooperation in various operational tasks, proactively combating various crimes, with a particular focus on the fight against drug trafficking.
Currently, combating drug crime along the border faces numerous difficulties, with perpetrators operating in a highly sophisticated and cunning manner, constantly changing their methods and tactics. Colonel Tu Song Pat Chai, Director of the Luang Prabang Provincial Police, stated: The drug crime situation along the Son La – Luang Prabang border remains extremely complex. They often exploit small border crossings to transport drugs from the "Golden Triangle" into Vietnam or to third countries for consumption. During their operations, these individuals are extremely aggressive, reckless, and fiercely resist arrest by the police.
In light of the above situation, implementing the memorandum of understanding between the Son La Provincial Police and the police forces of the northern provinces of Laos, the two sides have maintained a good mechanism for exchanging information, closely monitoring the movements of suspects; advising local Party committees and authorities on developing plans and strategies for crime prevention at the grassroots level. Simultaneously, they have coordinated numerous intensive campaigns to dismantle many drug trafficking rings and groups. Particularly in the fight against drug crime, from the beginning of 2022 to the present, they have detected and jointly arrested 8 cases involving 11 drug offenders, seizing nearly 38,000 synthetic drug pills, 3 military firearms, 105 rounds of ammunition, and many other related exhibits.
For example, on July 22, 2022, on National Highway 6A, at the border between Sam Neua and Vieng Xay districts, the Son La Provincial Police's anti-drug task force, in coordination with the Hua Phan Provincial Police, successfully cracked a case, apprehending two suspects: Vang De Mua, 52 years old, and Kia Vang, 47 years old (a married couple), both residing in Huoi Nha Village, Vieng Xay District, Hua Phan Province (Lao People's Democratic Republic), for the crime of "illegally transporting narcotics." The seized items included over 24,000 synthetic drug pills, 24.4 grams of heroin, one block of opium, 1.3 million kip, and other related evidence.
Vang De Mua and Kia Vang were arrested by the police of Son La province and Hua Phan province (Lao People's Democratic Republic) for the crime of "illegally transporting narcotics".
In parallel with ensuring security and order, in recent times, in accordance with the policy of the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security on building police headquarters for the Lao police in border villages adjacent to Vietnam, the Son La Provincial Police have focused on constructing and handing over 51 police headquarters in border villages belonging to 5 districts of the two provinces of Hua Phan and Luang Prabang. This has helped local police officers and soldiers feel secure in their work and effectively carry out security and order maintenance along the border.
To enhance the effectiveness of coordination in ensuring security and order, the Son La Provincial Police continue to implement cooperation agreements signed with the police forces of the northern provinces of Laos; effectively carrying out cooperation plans to combat cross-border crime, focusing on transnational drug trafficking.
Major General Nguyen Ngoc Van, Director of the Son La Provincial Police, informed: In the coming time, in order to effectively prevent drug-related crimes along the Vietnam-Laos border, the Son La Provincial Police and the police forces of the provinces of the Lao People's Democratic Republic sharing a border will continue to strengthen information exchange through hotlines as well as direct exchanges between unit leaders to monitor developments in drug-related crimes. They will verify information on the ringleaders of large drug trafficking networks, and provide mutual support when needed in combating and apprehending drug criminals. Due to the long border, combating drug crimes remains challenging; therefore, to combat drug crimes more effectively, the functional forces of both countries need to make greater efforts in coordination and effectively implement the contents of the meetings. In addition, they need to meet regularly to promptly discuss and exchange necessary issues in the fight against this type of crime.
Cao Thien - Trung Hieu (Provincial Police)