(KPL) On October 13, Lieutenant Colonel Phomma Daohoungsouli, Deputy Head of the Savannakhet Provincial Police Command, reported that provincial police and Vilabouly District police had inspected the Khounmixay Wood Processing Factory in Houaysouan Village, Vilabouly District, in early October.

Officers detained 11 people, including one woman, suspected of illegally concealing and trading mineral resources. The group comprised six Lao nationals, four Vietnamese nationals and one Chinese national.

Evidence seized at the site included 115 tonnes of raw mineral rocks, 40 tonnes of acid-treated mineral ore, three ore-crushing machines, four mineral crushers, water pumps, a generator, a small smelting unit and other equipment.

Police also confiscated five containers of sulfuric acid, seven containers of a chemical identified in the report as liquid hydrogen, 125 kilogrammes of carbon dioxide-related chemicals, seven bags of polyethylene resin, 125 kilogrammes of ammonium chloride, 60 kilogrammes of zinc used in gold separation, and 66 suspected methamphetamine tablets.

In a separate operation on October 10, provincial police and relevant authorities inspected the Lao Xiuyuan Plastic and Rubber Processing Factory in Nacalit Village, Kaysone Phomvihane City, following reports of suspected illegal mineral trading and concealment.

Officers found crushed minerals stored in 45 large bags, along with approximately 58 tonnes of uncrushed minerals packed in three large bags and 90 smaller sacks. Five mineral-crushing machines and a four-door pickup truck were also seized.

Two suspects, including one woman, were detained for questioning and further legal proceedings.

Police said the operations were aimed at addressing illegal mineral activities. Investigations into both cases are continuing.

KPL