Border guards in Vietnam ’s northern mountainous province of Dien Bien , in coordination with the security services in the Lao province of Phongsaly , arrested five people for smuggling 32 kg of opium on July 30.

All five, who include To Lo, Chu Cho, A Cha, Xu O and Ki Xa, come from Noong Lom village, in Muong May district in Phongsaly province.

Earlier, border guards in Dien Bien province had interrogated suspects who had been previously involved in drug cases and uncovered a gang smuggling drugs and weapons from Noong Lom village to Na Bung commune in Muong Nhe district, Dien Bien province.

The five were arrested after a four-day joint operation.-VNA