65 Arrested in Drug-Laced E-Cigarette Ring in HCMC, Including 10 Foreigners

Ho Chi Minh City police have busted a large drug trafficking ring specializing in the production and sale of e-cigarettes containing narcotics, commonly known as 'pod chill'. A total of 65 individuals have been arrested, including 10 foreigners who allegedly played key roles in the operation. Among the arrested are four Singaporeans, four Malaysians, and two Taiwanese nationals. Hoo Jia How (30, Malaysian) and Melvin Tan Junjie (30, Singaporean) have been identified as the ringleaders. The police detected signs of the ring's activities in early July and initiated an investigation. Following leads, dozens of officers simultaneously raided a house on Cong Quynh Street in Cau Ong Lanh Ward, apprehending Hoo Jia How and Melvin Tan Junjie. At the scene, authorities seized 1,331 e-cigarette cartridges and 140 ml of Etomidate oil used for mixing narcotics. Further investigation led to the arrest of Oh Jang Fong, a Singaporean national accused of directly supplying the narcotic oil to the ring. According to their statements, Melvin Tan Junjie and Hoo Jia How received the oil from Oh Jang Fong, brought it to a rented house on Cong Quynh Street, and personally injected it into the 'pod chill' cartridges. The products were then distributed to the market, sold to Vietnamese and foreign customers, with many buyers reselling them or organizing group usage. Continuing their pursuit, police also dismantled two other branches responsible for distributing the drug-laced e-cigarettes, operated by Le Ton Nu Diem Thuy (23) and Tran Dinh Canh (24). In total, authorities confiscated nearly 2,000 'pod chill' cartridges containing narcotics and 140 ml of Etomidate oil. Disguised as 'undetectable' products Etomidate, originally an anesthetic used in medicine, was mixed into e-cigarette liquids. As of January 19, this substance was added to the list of narcotic substances. According to Ho Chi Minh City police, 'pod chill' containing Etomidate was often advertised with phrases like 'won't show up on tests' or 'not a drug,' misleading users into believing it was a safe product. When inhaled, Etomidate is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream and affects the brain. Initially, users may experience feelings of relaxation and euphoria, but this can quickly lead to deep sleepiness, reduced consciousness, lack of concentration, slow reflexes, dizziness, slurred speech, and unsteady gait. In severe cases, the substance can cause confusion, disorientation, seizures, loss of consciousness, respiratory depression, hypotension, and even death. Information Source: VnExpress