A collection of memoirs by writer Nguyen Xuan Thuy, launched in October, chronicles the life and career of lieutenant general Nguyen Van Vien, former director of the Drug Crime Investigation Police Department (C04). The book also paints a comprehensive picture of the battle against modern, technology-driven crime.

Lieutenant general Nguyen Van Vien, born in 1966, graduated from the People's Police Academy with a specialization in economic police. Upon graduation, he was assigned to the Major Crimes team within the Criminal Investigation Police. Before becoming the director of C04, he spent 8 years dedicated to drug crime prevention and combat at the grassroots level.

Lieutenant general Nguyen Van Vien. Photo: "Amidst the drug labyrinth" book

Upon assuming his role as director, general Vien proactively researched and grasped the real situation to understand the drug crime landscape and its overarching issues. "I needed to determine where we were and where we needed to go, which urgent tasks needed prioritizing, and which immediate and long-term goals needed achieving," he states in the book.

Cover of "Amidst the drug labyrinth", a 286-page book published by the People's Police Publishing House. Photo: People's Police Publishing House

He observed that drug prevention and combat "cannot follow old patterns, cannot be like before" because criminals today are more strongly and broadly connected, applying advanced, specialized technologies and sciences to their criminal activities. For example, they use express delivery services, exploit delivery personnel, and conceal drugs within confectionery packaging, pharmaceuticals, functional foods, or cosmetics for transport and delivery to buyers. Previously, they used secret codes, signals, whistling, mimicking geckos, or brick phones; now, all transactions occur via Zalo, Facebook Messenger, and Telegram using virtual accounts.

"Today's criminals can be leading experts in pharmaceutical chemistry, possessing knowledge and qualifications, understanding international trade, and capable of operating large-scale modern networks with the potential to produce hundreds of tons of drugs," the book notes.

Writer Nguyen Xuan Thuy recounts the special cases general Vien has overseen. These range from his first case to expeditions to Long Luong and the Golden Triangle, and large-scale, public-shaking arrests such as tracking and apprehending crime boss Vu Hoang Oanh and dismantling Kim Soon Sik's network. In the writer's impression, general Vien always enthusiastically narrated stories of solving cases. He shares: "Many days I would visit his office at C04, and our conversation would last two or three hours. It was only when it got dark that I would suddenly realize the time. That's general Vien; he always spoke endlessly about his experiences, his passion, and the cases he refused to give up on."

The lieutenant general recounts special case 822T, which dismantled the drug network of Vu Hoang Oanh (also known as Oanh "Ha"). When the "matriarch" was caught, he was present with officers taking her statement. This was a "special interaction with both sides". Vu Hoang Oanh was confident that authorities lacked concrete evidence, intentionally recalling her reduced sentence in a previous 20-year prison conviction to subtly "offer conditions", both asserting her past contributions and reminding them that she was "not to be underestimated". The successful resolution of the case revealed many new tactics in large-scale drug trafficking and transportation.

When asked how he felt after concluding a special case, the commander likened each case to a labyrinth, a series of doors with unique codes needing discovery. Opening one door reveals the next. Even upon reaching the "inner sanctum" and capturing the final boss, one might feel satisfied, believing there are no more challenges. However, some cases "open an invisible door, seen and perceived, but nothing can be done yet".

During the performance of duties, there are no "forbidden zones". Some cases involve errors partly due to poor management at the local level, leading to officers being held accountable. Nguyen Van Vien expressed that seeing comrades disciplined and removed from the force was "heartbreaking". Yet, he stressed that being sentimental or compromising would be an act of surrender to drugs.

Within the police force, drug prevention and combat units have a specific oath, in addition to the six principles taught by President Ho Chi Minh to the People's Police and the five pledges of honor of the Vietnam People's Police. This oath includes the pledge "not to succumb to criminal attacks or bribery, and to be ready to accept the strictest forms of punishment and discipline if lacking integrity, intentionally allowing criminals to escape, wrongly accusing innocent people, or exhibiting any negative violations of the law".

The fight against drugs demands courage, bravery, and dedication from officers. At night, when others are asleep, general Vien and his comrades might be in their golden hour for busting cases. "Many nights like that, while at home, to avoid disturbing his wife's sleep, he would go to the living room to direct his team by phone. But being so immersed in his work, he would still speak loudly. His wife never complained, but he knew she would be sleepless until morning on those nights. Later, learning from experience, on nights with active cases, he would stay at the unit for easier command. So, even though he was in Ha Noi, it was no different from being on a business trip," the author writes.

The book records that 29 officers and soldiers from the police, military, and civilian population have sacrificed their lives on the front lines of the fight against drug crime. Additionally, over 700 officers and soldiers have been injured or exposed to HIV while pursuing criminals. Drug criminals face severe penalties; "once tainted, they almost certainly face the death penalty." Therefore, arrests are difficult, with suspects fiercely resisting, even accepting being shot dead.

"Amidst the drug labyrinth" is an entry in the fifth "For National Security and a Peaceful Life" novel, short story, and memoir writing competition, covering the 2022-2025 period. Written in a storytelling style, the book guides readers through the special cases of the C04 force, providing knowledge about drug crime and the tactics of the subjects.

Writer Nguyen Xuan Thuy. Photo: Thien Kim

Writer Nguyen Xuan Thuy is 47 years old, born in Phu Tho. He previously worked at the Air Defense - Air Force newspaper and the People's Army Publishing House, and currently works at the Military Arts and Literature magazine. He writes in various genres, including novels, short stories, and memoirs. He has received numerous literary awards, such as the Ministry of National Defense's 5-Year Award for the novel Bien xanh mau la, a Category A award in the Writer's Magazine memoir competition 2007-2009 for the memoir Khat vong duoi dinh Fansipan, and a Category A award in the "For National Security and a Peaceful Life" novel, short story, and memoir competition organized jointly by the Vietnam Writers' Association and the Ministry of Public Security.

Chau Anh