Vietnamese Police Arrest 126 in Major Drug Bust, Targeting Youth with New Methods

Ho Chi Minh City police have arrested 126 individuals, including a prominent figure described by Vietnamese media as a "seasoned gangster," in a major operation to dismantle drug trafficking rings. The crackdown has shed light on new methods used to target young people with narcotics. The individual, identified as Duong Minh Tuan, born in 1983, had reportedly presented himself as a "gangster" on social media. According to Vietnamese press reports on September 21, the investigation into Mr. Tuan led the Ho Chi Minh City Police, under the command of Major General Mai Hoang, to uncover and "sever" eight drug trafficking lines, resulting in the arrests of 126 people. Authorities stated that the drug trafficking and supply networks, dealing in substances like etomidate, ketamine, and ecstasy, were led by Kim Ju-young, a South Korean national, along with six other individuals. Among those arrested were five South Korean and four Taiwanese citizens, accused of buying, selling, possessing, organizing, and illegally using narcotics. Law enforcement reportedly seized over 1,000 "pod chill" devices, which are e-cigarette-like products containing etomidate, and a large quantity of synthetic drugs disguised as e-cigarette cartridges, intended for distribution to young people at entertainment venues. "Pod chill" products are advertised on social media as e-liquids containing herbal extracts that promote relaxation and are non-addictive. However, etomidate is a medical anesthetic that can cause confusion and health damage when mixed into e-cigarette liquids. E-cigarettes are slated to be banned from 2025, according to Resolution No. 173/2024 of the National Assembly. The results of this investigation are seen as a demonstration of the commitment by the Ho Chi Minh City police, led by Lieutenant General Mai Hoang, to suppress drug-related crimes. Ho Chi Minh City aims to eradicate drug abuse entirely by 2030, less than five years away. Earlier this month, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Court sentenced 227 defendants in the VN10 case, a major drug investigation that expanded from the case of four Vietnam Airlines flight attendants caught smuggling drugs into Vietnam in 2023. Out of the 227 individuals, 11 received death sentences and 19 were sentenced to life imprisonment. In a semi-annual report released on August 10, the Ho Chi Minh City Police stated they had detected and processed 4,064 cases involving 10,304 individuals related to drugs, representing an increase of over 55% in cases and nearly 44% in individuals compared to the same period last year. Of these, authorities prosecuted 3,572 people. At the press conference announcing these results, Lieutenant General Mai Hoang affirmed that the police would not conceal data or avoid prosecuting drug crimes and neglecting addicts and users for the sake of achieving targets.