Laos says it has arrested 343 suspects in connection with 139 drug trafficking cases and seized over 1,000 kilograms of various drugs this past year.
99 arrested suspects are women while ten are foreign nationals. Over two million metaphetamine tablets, more than 37 kilos of raw opium, some three kilos of heroin, and 700 kilos of marijuana were also seized.
Meanwhile, the U.S. has agreed to provide aid worth more than $1.4 million to Laos to help in its drugs control efforts. The $1,461,500 aid will be used to implement the following projects: the Narcotics Crop Control program, the Drug Demand Reduction program, and the Law Enforcement program.
Since 1989, the U.S. has provided more than $41 million in funds to support the government of the Lao P.D.R.'s narcotics control programs.
In another development,Thai officials affirm that Lao cooperation has resulted in the sustaining effectiveness of drug suppression along their common borders.
Listen to our Laos Today report for details.