KUALA LUMPUR — Lao authorities have seized 521 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine from a private jet reported to have arrived from Malaysia, with 13 people detained in connection with the suspected drug trafficking operation.
The Vientiane Times, citing the Lao Security Newspaper, reported today that the operation was conducted on Oct 1 after provincial police received a tip-off on Sept 21 about a syndicate allegedly planning to smuggle narcotics across borders by air using a private aircraft, Bernama reported.
Police were subsequently informed that the flight schedule had been changed, with the aircraft expected to arrive from Malaysia at Luang Prabang International Airport at 1.30pm on Oct 1.
Provincial public security authorities then directed specialised units to monitor the aircraft’s arrival.
During the operation, officers discovered 23 suitcases and seized 500 packs containing 521 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine, along with the Learjet and a pickup truck believed to be linked to the case.
“Twenty-one of the 23 suitcases contained white crystalline substances that were identified as crystal methamphetamine,” the report said.
Thirteen people were detained, including the pilot, co-pilot, a foreign tourist, three employees of a company and seven Luang Prabang International Airport employees.
Three of those detained were women.
The aircraft was identified as a Learjet bearing registration N73GP. — October 6, 2026