Lao police have seized 521 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine from a private jet reportedly arriving from Malaysia at Luang Prabang International Airport, with 13 people detained in connection with the case.
The Vientiane Times, citing the Lao Security Newspaper, reported on Tuesday that a security operation was carried out on Oct 1 following a tip-off received by provincial police on Sept 21.
The information indicated that a drug trafficking syndicate was allegedly planning to smuggle narcotics across borders by air using a private aircraft.
Private jet monitored after tip-off
According to the report, police later learned that the flight schedule had been changed, with the private aircraft due to arrive from Malaysia at Luang Prabang International Airport at 1.30pm on Oct 1.
Provincial public security authorities then instructed specialised units to monitor the situation.
Officers subsequently found 23 suitcases and seized 500 packs of crystal methamphetamine weighing 521 kilogrammes, according to the report.
The Learjet private aircraft and a pickup truck were also seized as evidence.
‘Twenty-one of the 23 suitcases contained white crystalline substances that were identified as crystal methamphetamine,’ the report said.
13 detained in drug operation
Police detained 13 people during the operation, including the pilot, co-pilot, a foreign tourist, three employees of a company and seven employees of Luang Prabang International Airport.
Three of those detained were women.
The seized aircraft was identified as a Learjet.
