On 8/8, the Da Nang Police Department's Drug Crime Investigation Unit announced the arrest of five individuals involved in a synthetic cannabis trafficking ring, the largest of its kind in the city's history.
The operation began on 6/8 with the arrest of Phan Thai Phien, 51, for drug trafficking on Nguyen Tri Phuong Street, Thanh Khe Ward. Police seized approximately 10 kg of synthetic cannabis being transported on Phien's motorbike, along with 10.5 million VND in cash. A subsequent search of Phien's residence yielded an additional two kg of the drug, a digital scale, and other related evidence. Police records show Phien has five prior convictions for theft, assault, and public disorder, as well as a prior offense for drug use.
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The seized synthetic cannabis represents the largest haul of its kind in Da Nang. Photo: Police Department |
The seized synthetic cannabis represents the largest haul of its kind in Da Nang. Photo: Police Department
Expanding their investigation, police arrested Nguyen Thi Thuy, 34, also for drug trafficking, on Tran Cao Van Street. One kg of synthetic cannabis was confiscated from Thuy, with an additional four packages discovered during searches of two of her residences.
Based on information from Phien and Thuy, police apprehended Tran Thi Thanh Tuyen, 36, and Ngo Van Hoang Phuc, 40, both from Hue City, seizing 300 g of synthetic cannabis. Searches of two houses rented by Tuyen uncovered 70 kg of synthetic cannabis, 200 g of suspected powdered narcotics, 60 kg of untreated dried herbs, three containers of a white liquid, and various drug processing equipment.
Initial investigations revealed that Tuyen purchased the powdered narcotics from Le Thanh Ka Ka, 26, a resident of Cam Le Ward. Ka Ka sold over 20 kg of synthetic cannabis to Tuyen, who then enlisted Phuc to spray the narcotics onto the dried herbs, weigh, package, and distribute them to various points of sale per Tuyen's instructions. Phien and Thuy were among these distributors.
In total, police confiscated over 100 kg of processed synthetic cannabis, 60 kg of untreated dried herbs, and various other related items.
The investigation is ongoing.
Ngoc Truong
