Police in Vietnam have captured eight Laotians for trafficking crystal meth across the border and taken away a loaded gun from them.

Eight Laotians had been arrested when they were carrying 10kg of crystal meth and a loaded pistol through Lao Bao International Border Gate in Quang Tri Province, located in north-central Vietnam, Colonel Le Van Phuong, commander of the provincial border defense force, said on Monday.

Vietnamese and Lao authorities had cooperated in capturing the group and seizing the exhibits on Sunday, Phuong added.

The eight moved from Laos’ Savannakhet to Quang Tri via Lao Bao International Border Gate.

Vietnamese and Lao officers raided the group and found they were transporting 10kg of crystal meth and a loaded K59 handgun.

The suspects admitted to transporting the amount of crystal meth to Vietnam for consumption.

Col. Phuong said that they were part of a large-scale racket trafficking drugs from Laos into Vietnam.

The ring brings drugs from major Lao cities to the vicinity of Lao Bao International Border Gate, where they will be carried into Vietnam and other third countries for sale.

Border guards in Quang Tri have impounded 900,000 drug pills, 41kg of crystal meth, 4.5kg of ketamine, 804kg of dried cannabis, and other exhibits in the year to date.

Vietnam adopts a harsh stance against drug trafficking.

Those convicted of possessing or smuggling more than 600 grams of heroin or more than 2.5 kilograms of methamphetamine could face capital punishment.

Manufacturing or selling from 100 grams of heroin or 300 grams of other illegal narcotics is also punishable by death.

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