HANOI, April 8 (Xinhua) -- Border guard forces of Vietnam's central highlands Kon Tum province said Monday they have detained two Lao drug traffickers and confiscated nearly 40,000 pills of synthetic drug.

A 60-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman were caught red-handed on Sunday transporting the drug from Laos to Kon Tum, Vietnam News Agency reported on Monday.

According to the Vietnamese law, those convicted of smuggling over 600 grams of heroin or more than 2.5 kg of methamphetamine are punishable by death. Making or trading 100 grams of heroin or 300 grams of other illegal drugs also faces death penalty.