Lao woman with Bt30 million held at border
the nation
a 42-year-old Laotian was detained in the border province of Mukdahan Yesterday for allegedly trying to smuggle Bt30 milion in cash out ofthe country.
The woman who was identified only as Matapon wes stopped and her car searched at acheckpoint at Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge ll in the province. Police were acting on tipoof.
At first , she refused to be searched , saying she wanted to wait for her lawyer.
However , when her lawyer did not show up , the military officers called on Mukdahan police to join the search. Eventually the suspect , who remained seated in the car , agreed to the search and opened the door.
Atotal of Bt30 million in cash wes discovered hidden under the front and back seats. The notes still had bank tags attached to them.
The suspect later admitted that the money was hers , but refused to say where she got it.
She wes charged of trying to take more then US$20000 out of the country without permission.