Colonel Vo Duy Tuan, deputy director of Dak Lak Provincial Police, announced on 24/12 that authorities had dismantled a drug trafficking ring illegally transporting narcotics from Cambodia to Vietnam. This operation represents the largest drug trafficking case ever recorded in the province.
The special investigation, launched on 17/12, involved 200 officers and soldiers working in coordination with Lam Dong Provincial Police, Ho Chi Minh City Police, and the Border Guard.
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Colonel Vo Duy Tuan, deputy director of Dak Lak Provincial Police, provides information about the case on 24/12. Photo: Ngoc Oanh
In Thanh Nhat ward, Buon Ma Thuot city, the special investigation team apprehended Do Van Ninh, 44, and Nguyen Hoang Thinh, 37. They were caught buying drugs at the home of Vu Dinh Trong, 44, located at 224 Tran Nhan Tong street.
During an urgent search of Trong's residence, the suspect proved evasive and uncooperative. Consequently, authorities deployed four police dogs and two excavators to excavate the entire 2,000 square meter property.
Police discovered drugs hidden in the ceiling and buried deep in various garden locations. The total evidence seized at Trong's home included: 3.5 kg of Ketamine, 2.5 kg of Methamphetamine, 59 MDMA pills, 11,110 hong phien pills, two firearms, ammunition, and other related assets.
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Police seize evidence from the case. Photo: Ngoc Oanh
Concurrently, in Tuy Hoa ward, a task force apprehended Le Chi Binh, 42. During the arrest, Binh violently resisted, biting an investigator's hand and causing injury. A search of Binh's home yielded over 2.15 kg of crystal methamphetamine and heroin, disguised in herbal tea packets and hidden in a shoe cabinet and bathroom.
Further investigation in Thuan An commune, Lam Dong province, led to the arrest of two ringleaders: Nguyen Thanh Bao, 39, and Lam Anh Vy, 29. In Thuan Giao commune, Ho Chi Minh City, Doan Minh Duong, 26, identified as Vy's superior contact, was also apprehended.
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The drug trafficking group hid firearms in teddy bears. Photo: Ngoc Oanh
Investigators determined that the suspects acquired drugs from Cambodia, transporting them to the border area near Dak Peur border gate, Dak Nong. From there, the narcotics were distributed for sale in Dak Lak, Lam Dong, and Ho Chi Minh City. The group utilized the Signal social network for transactions and configured messages to auto-delete, aiming to destroy evidence.
By the end of the special operation, Dak Lak Provincial Police had arrested or summoned 19 individuals. Authorities seized a total of 9.2 kg of synthetic drugs, 11,184 hong phien pills, two firearms, ammunition, and 220 million VND.
The special investigation committee is expanding its inquiry.
Tran Hoa
