(KPL) The destruction ceremony was organised by the Vientiane Public Security Headquarters in cooperation with the General Police Department of the Ministry of Public Security, ahead of National Anti-Drug Day on October 12.

Mr. Athsaphangthong Siphandone, Member of the Party Central Committee, Party Secretary and President of the Vientiane People's Council, and Chairman of the Vientiane National Defence and Public Security Committee, attended the event alongside Major General Kongsavath Bounlieng, Deputy Minister of Public Security and Head of the General Police Department.

Brigadier General Buaphan Phongmany, Head of the Vientiane Public Security Headquarters and Vice Chairman of the Vientiane Drug Control Committee, reported that authorities had intensified enforcement operations in response to the growing threat posed by illegal drugs to national security, public safety and social stability.

Over the past year, police in Vientiane recorded 790 drug-related cases and detained 1,433 suspects, including 207 women and 127 foreign nationals, of whom 14 were women.

Authorities seized a wide range of illicit substances and related items, including 20.54 million amphetamine tablets, more than 2.7 tonnes of methamphetamine, 217 kg of ketamine, 63.5 kg of ecstasy and 25,800 ecstasy tablets. Police also confiscated weapons, ammunition, vehicles, drug-containing products, e-cigarettes and other items linked to drug-related offences.

The drugs destroyed at the ceremony totalled 3,894.263 kg and comprised 1,341.535 kg of amphetamine, 1,772.720 kg of methamphetamine, 767.3 kg of collagen products mixed with drugs, 8.578 kg of dried cannabis, 3.013 kg of heroin and 1 kg of ketamine.

Of the total, 1,791.038 kg had been seized by the Anti-Drug Police Department under the General Police Department of the Ministry of Public Security.

Authorities said the drugs had been brought for destruction following final court rulings.

The ceremony brought together representatives of relevant government agencies, the Lao Front for National Development, Buddhist organisations, diplomatic missions, youth groups and other sectors, reaffirming cooperation in preventing and suppressing drug-related offences.

National Anti-Drug Day is observed annually on October 12 to raise public awareness and strengthen efforts to address drug abuse, trafficking and their impact on communities.

KPL