On 22/6, Quang Ngai Provincial Police announced that its anti-drug task force, stationed in Attapeu province, Laos, recently collaborated with Laotian authorities. This cooperation led to the discovery of two cases, resulting in the arrest of four individuals involved in the possession and sale of Kratom leaves. Authorities confiscated 42.5 kg of dried leaves and 653 bottles of Kratom water.

Scientifically known as Mitragyna speciosa, Kratom belongs to the coffee family and is common across Southeast Asia, including Laos, Thailand, Indonesia, and Myanmar. In Laos, the leaves are called "thoong", and the brewed liquid is known as "nam thoong", with "nam" meaning water.

Suspects arrested with Kratom leaves and water from these leaves in Attapeu province. Photo: Quang Ngai Provincial Police

Suspects arrested with Kratom leaves and water from these leaves in Attapeu province. Photo: Quang Ngai Provincial Police

Police reports indicate that students and young people are the primary users, frequently congregating in public spaces like parks and recreational areas. The leaves are consumed in several ways: brewed into a drink, mixed with other liquids, chewed directly, ground into a powder, or dried for smoking.

The practice of brewing Kratom leaf water has appeared in the Central border region, notably in Lao Bao, Quang Tri, often disguised as herbal drinks sold in bottles.

"With convenient road transport, Kratom leaves can easily travel from Attapeu through Central Vietnam and further inland, including Quang Ngai," the provincial police warned.

As Quang Ngai shares the Bo Y border gate with Laos, provincial police urge residents to avoid buying, selling, possessing, transporting, or consuming "nam thoong" water and Kratom leaves. They also caution against transporting unidentified tea or herbal bags from border regions or on cross-border vehicles. The public is advised to report any locations where this unfamiliar liquid is brewed or sold, or any solicitations to use it, to the police.

Kratom leaves, also known as thoong, belong to the coffee family. Photo: Quang Ngai Provincial Police

Kratom leaves, also known as thoong, belong to the coffee family. Photo: Quang Ngai Provincial Police

Medical literature indicates that Kratom leaves (Mitragyna speciosa) contain two primary compounds, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. These compounds interact with opioid receptors in the central nervous system. Kratom use can induce stimulant or pain-relieving effects, depending on the dosage. However, prolonged or abusive use carries a risk of dependence and addiction.

The Laotian Times reports that despite the Ministry of Health's regulations banning the cultivation, possession, sale, processing, import, and supply of Kratom, the plant remains a significant concern. Under the Laotian Criminal Code, Kratom is classified as a narcotic-containing plant. Those found possessing or using it may face fines of 5-20 million kip (approximately 230-923 USD) and imprisonment for one to 6 months.

Despite these measures, Laotian police regularly uncover cases of illegal possession and transportation across various localities, noting a particular rise in sales through social media platforms.

In Attapeu, the province bordering Quang Ngai, some individuals continue to secretly cultivate or procure Kratom, dividing it into smaller quantities for illicit cross-border transport.

Pham Linh