(KPL) Bolikhamxay Provincial Police seized more than 2.1 million methamphetamine pills and arrested two suspects in a major anti-drug operation, while three others escaped into the forest.

According to the provincial police, at around 19:00 hours on August 18, officers from the Drug Control and Supervision Special Unit were conducting patrols along Route 13 South, between Paksan and Thaphabath districts, when they identified a suspicious white Toyota Fortuner (license plate ລຍ 5699 Vientiane) moving unusually near Phongsavan Village.

The vehicle drove into Nakham Village, where officers observed four men unloading five white bags from the Fortuner onto a tractor. The Fortuner then departed toward Paksan, while the tractor was driven into the forest near the Mekong River. Once there, the men attempted to hide the bags in the forest. When police approached, three suspects fled on foot, leaving the goods behind.

A search uncovered five bags containing 2,114,000 methamphetamine pills, weighing a total of 251 kilograms. Police arrested the tractor driver, Mr. Thibphachan Saiyalat (39), of Nakham Village, Thaphabath District. Officers also seized the tractor, one shotgun, and two mobile phones.

Later that evening, at approximately 22:30 hours, a special police unit intercepted the Toyota Fortuner in the municipal area and arrested the driver, Mr. Do Bounsavan (30), of North Pakgading Village, Pakgading District. Inside the vehicle, police found one pistol with 10 bullets and one mobile phone.

During preliminary interrogation, both suspects confessed that the narcotics belonged to them and were intended for transport to neighboring countries. Bolikhamxay Provincial Police are continuing their investigation, pursuing the escaped accomplices, and gathering evidence to proceed with prosecution in accordance with the law.

KPL