Hanoi police reported on 14/7 that Thuy, 61, and 9 others were arrested for drug-related offenses.

Thuy had a prior arrest for drug trafficking but was not convicted due to a documented history of mental illness. Authorities allege that while receiving mandatory treatment at the Central Institute of Forensic Psychiatry in Hanoi, she exploited her status as a patient to manage a drug trafficking operation outside the facility.

Bui Thi Thanh Thuy at the police station. Photo: Ngoc Bich

Bui Thi Thanh Thuy at the police station. Photo: Ngoc Bich

Key figures in Thuy's network were Le Anh Ngoc, 50, and Phung Nguyet Anh, 51. Ngoc said he met Thuy in 2018 and was hired to deliver drugs as directed. During their interactions, Ngoc observed Thuy to be completely lucid and agreed to work with her.

Nguyet Anh was hired by Thuy to deliver drugs to customers and receive shipments from Ngoc for further distribution.

After an investigation, police arrested the suspects on 9/7. Ngoc was apprehended in the basement of an apartment building at 170 La Thanh alley, O Cho Dua ward, during a drug transaction. Approximately 2 kg of ketamine and methamphetamine were seized.

A search of Ngoc's residence yielded an additional 443 packets of liquid ecstasy, over 400 ecstasy pills, and 8 bags of synthetic drugs.

The suspects and seized evidence. Photo: Ngoc Bich

The suspects and seized evidence. Photo: Ngoc Bich

Simultaneously, another task force arrested Nguyet Anh while she was allegedly delivering approximately 90 grams of ketamine. An additional 5 grams of methamphetamine were found at her residence. At a car garage on Nguyen Xien street, police arrested other suspects and confiscated about 18 kg of methamphetamine and ketamine, along with a gun.

In total, police have seized 22 kg of drugs. The investigation is ongoing.