The Hanoi People's Procuracy recently indicted Bui Bach Nghia, 34, from Hai Phong, and his accomplice Luu Van Tien, 24, from Bac Ninh, on charges of brokering prostitution. The case, which also uncovered a drug network, began when Hanoi Police conducted an administrative check at a hotel on Ba Trieu street on the evening of 11/3, discovering three pairs of men and women engaged in prostitution.

Subsequent investigation revealed Nghia's organized prostitution ring, operating through private online groups. According to the indictment, Nghia managed two private Telegram groups for brokering prostitution. He also utilized Zalo groups, disguised with ordinary names such as "Hanoi 24h" and "Hanoi Sleepwear", to identify potential clients and connect with sex workers. He would post "recruitment" ads for sex workers, then forward their photos to clients for selection and price negotiation.

Beyond connecting buyers and sellers, Nghia is accused of renting a luxury apartment to house three women, aged 20-27, who worked as sex workers. This apartment served as their residence where they lived, ate, and awaited clients. When a client was secured, Nghia arranged for the women to meet them at the hotel on Ba Trieu street. The agreed price for each encounter was 8-9 million VND, with Nghia retaining a commission of 2-3 million VND.

The Procuracy accused Nghia of brokering prostitution four times in the first five days of March, accumulating a total profit of 11 million VND. Tien also participated once, assisting in securing a client and receiving one million VND for his involvement.

The investigation at the apartment Nghia rented led to the discovery and seizure of numerous items containing drugs, expanding the scope of the case beyond prostitution brokering. Police determined that defendant Duong Minh Tam, 24 – one of the three sex workers – purchased the drugs for use with her housemates.

The drugs originated from a network operated by Dao Xuan Hoa, 34, who has prior convictions for gambling and illegal drug possession. Hoa hired defendant Nguyen Bao Khanh to weigh, divide, and deliver the drugs to clients. Khanh's compensation included free drug use for two to three days or a payment of one million VND. On 9/3, Tam ordered one chi (Vietnamese unit of weight) of ketamine from Hoa for 3,7 million VND to use with her housemates.

Hoa is currently on the run, and the police have decided to separate his case for a wanted notice. Tam faces charges of organizing illegal drug use, while Khanh is charged with illegal drug trafficking.

Hai Thu