Police in the northern province of Lang Son have detained a young man who was caught with six kilograms of methamphetamine that he allegedly bought from a Chinese.

Ly Hoa Vinh, 21, is under criminal probe for drug smuggling.

Vinh was caught while taking a Hanoi-bound taxi early on Friday after allegedly buying the drug at the China border.

Police found the drug in his handbag.

A senior police officer said they have been keeping tabs on Vinh after receiving a tip-off that he is part of a grand drug trafficking ring.

Vietnam has some of the world’s toughest drug laws. Those convicted of possessing or smuggling more than 600 grams of heroin or more than 2.5 kilograms of methamphetamine face the death penalty.

The production or sale of 100 grams of heroin or 300 grams of other illegal narcotics is also punishable by death.