VIENTIANE: Xaysomboun authorities have called for tougher action against crime after drug-related cases accounted for 24 of 54 offences recorded in the first six months of this year.
The figures show that drug-related offences made up nearly 44 per cent of all criminal cases recorded by the Xaysomboun Provincial Public Security Force during the period, making drug dealing one of the province’s most pressing security concerns.
Of the 24 drug-related cases, two were concluded and forwarded to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, while 22 remain under investigation.
Across all types of crime, police settled six cases, concluded four and forwarded them to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, while 15 were successfully resolved. A further 29 cases remain under investigation.
Head of the Xaysomboun Provincial Public Security Command, Police Brigadier General Ouday Insouvanh, reported the figures during a meeting with the Minister of Public Security, Police Lieutenant General Vanthong Kongmany, who visited the province on August 7.
Police Brigadier General Ouday said the force had worked to maintain political stability and social order during the first six months of the year.
The force also continued to collect information and monitor developments to support security work and provide reports to higher authorities, he said.
Police Lieutenant General Vanthong urged the provincial security force to strengthen efforts to curb drug trafficking and the use of new types of drugs.
He also called for stronger action against smuggling, human trafficking, theft and burglary, illegal mining and gambling.
The focus on drugs comes as the province continues to deal with a wider range of security challenges. The minister stressed the need for officers to respond more effectively to changing forms of crime and prevent problems from becoming more serious.
The continued focus on drugs in Xaysomboun aligns with a government campaign to suppress the drug trade, which was designated a national agenda five years ago.
According to a report delivered by Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone at an Extraordinary Session of the National Assembly last month, authorities processed 1,786 drug-related cases in the first six months of this year.
The cases resulted in the arrest of 4,025 suspects, including 93 foreign nationals. Large quantities of drugs and drug-related items were seized, as well as vehicles linked to the cases.
Police Lieutenant General Vanthong also instructed the Xaysomboun Provincial Public Security Command to strengthen oversight of social media use and tackle cybercrime in line with ministry orders.
The instruction adds cybercrime and online activities to the province’s wider security priorities, alongside more common offences such as drug trafficking, smuggling and theft.
Road safety was another concern raised during the meeting, after 60 traffic accidents were recorded in the province during the six-month period.
Four people were killed and 80 were injured, while 109 vehicles were damaged, causing losses estimated at more than 2.56 billion kip.
The figures highlight the wider impact of public safety issues on families and communities, with road accidents causing deaths, injuries and substantial financial losses.
The Xaysomboun Provincial Public Security Command is also supervising tourism and the movement of foreign nationals. Officers inspected 1,698 tourists staying in the province, of whom 396 were foreign nationals, during the six-month period.
Police Lieutenant General Vanthong praised the work of the provincial security command and urged its leaders to strengthen political and ideological education among officers and personnel.
He called on officers to comply with Party policies, state laws and the disciplinary requirements of public security forces, while improving leadership and working methods to suit changing conditions.
He also urged personnel to acknowledge their weaknesses, not to passively wait for orders, and to take direct responsibility for the results of their work.
The minister stressed that immigration management and the management of foreign nationals must be carried out professionally, with clear responsibilities and personnel assigned according to their level of expertise.
He also called for continued efforts to ensure that investigations, detention and rehabilitation work follow legal procedures and that the Xaysomboun Provincial Public Security Command is fully prepared to respond to emerging security challenges. - Vientiane Times/ANN
