On 13/9, Da Nang police announced the arrest of 10 individuals on charges of trafficking prohibited goods under Article 190 of the penal code.
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Over 700 canisters of nitrous oxide were seized in the operation. Photo: Police Department |
Over 700 canisters of nitrous oxide were seized in the operation. Photo: Police Department
The arrests followed a raid on 7/9, where Hoang Anh Tan (41) and Tran Linh Tam (29) were caught exchanging 196 canisters of nitrous oxide, and Le Van Viet Long (28) was found in possession of 120 canisters. Searches of several warehouses in central Da Nang yielded hundreds more canisters.
Among those arrested, Vo Van Hieu (45) confessed to delivering 152 canisters to the Hair of the Dog bar (formerly in Hai Chau district). Authorities discovered an additional 208 canisters and related paraphernalia at the bar.
The investigation has resulted in the seizure of 734 canisters of nitrous oxide (valued at over one billion VND), eight cars, two motorbikes, and 14 mobile phones. Police estimate the ring's nitrous oxide sales have reached approximately 50 billion VND since the start of the year.
Police warned that while nitrous oxide is often misused recreationally by young people, it is addictive and can damage the nervous and respiratory systems, potentially leading to death. They urged the public to avoid using nitrous oxide and to report any instances of trafficking.
Ngoc Truong
