HANOI: Lai Cai police have arrested a park ranger with over 10 kilograms of heroin in his possession.The suspect, Ranger Lau A Su, 33, of nearby Lai Chau Province, faces charges of drug smuggling, which carries anywhere from 20 years in prison to death.
Acting on local tips, Lao Cai police stopped Su on his motorbike at around 10AM on January 21, according to reports in the provincial newspaper.Police seized more than 10 kilograms of heroin, a motorbike, a cell phone and VND1 million.
At the police station, Su reportedly told officers that his uncle, 39-year-old Sung A Dau, had hired him to drive the drugs from Dien Bien to Lao Cai province for VND200 million (US$9,355).Police arrested Dau that same day
In related news, border guards recently arrested 51-year-old Luong Van Lan for smuggling 205 bricks of heroin in Lao Cai Province.
The total weight of the seizure has not yet been released.Lan reportedly confessed to being a drug user who began purchasing drugs for resale near the Ban Vuoc Border Gate.Police are investigating the case.
Vietnam has some of the world’s toughest drug laws. Those convicted of trafficking more than 600 grams of heroin or more than 2.5 kilograms of methamphetamine may be sentenced to death.Producing or selling 100 grams of heroin or 300 grams of other illegal narcotics is also a capital offense.
