Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – A vigilant ride-hailing driver's suspicion led to the dismantling of a large-scale drug trafficking operation and the seizure of over 40 kg of various narcotics. Police investigations revealed a sophisticated network operated by Nguyen Thanh Cuong and his accomplices.

Nguyen Thanh Cuong and five accomplices are scheduled to face trial at the Ho Chi Minh City People's Court on 31/3, charged with illegal drug trafficking and illegal drug possession.

The indictment details that on the evening of 19/10/2023, Le, a Lalamove ride-hailing driver, reported to Tan Phu District Police. He handed over a package containing over 600 grams of methamphetamine and ketamine. Le explained that a person named "Ha Duy Phien" hired him to deliver the package from Xuyen A Industrial Park to an address in Hoc Mon District. Upon arrival, he could not reach the recipient and, suspecting the package contained drugs, promptly reported the incident to the authorities. Through subsequent investigation, police identified Nguyen Thanh Cuong as the individual who arranged the delivery.

That same night, police conducted an emergency search of Cuong's residence in Duc Hoa District, Long An, seizing over 37 kg of drugs, including heroin, ketamine, methamphetamine, and MDMA. Cuong admitted that an individual named Tuan, whose identity remains unknown, supplied these drugs for resale.

Further investigation by Ho Chi Minh City Police led to the arrest of several more suspects, identified as key figures in the drug ring, and the seizure of an additional over 3 kg of drugs.

Cuong revealed he had known Tuan since 2021. In early 9/2023, Tuan enlisted Cuong to transport drugs from Cambodia to Vietnam for concealment and resale. Their agreement stipulated that Cuong would receive 5 million VND for each kilogram of drugs sold.

Acting on Tuan's orders, Cuong collected a package from an unknown man near National Highway 1K on 28/9/2023. He then used a false identity to ship nearly 4 kg of drugs to Australia. The Tan Son Nhat Airport Customs Sub-Department intercepted and seized the package two days later.

Tuan subsequently notified Cuong of the package's seizure, instructing him to use a different vehicle for future pickups and transferring 235 million VND for the purchase of a used truck.

On 15/10/2023, Tuan directed Cuong to collect and transport six packages of drugs to a rented room in Duc Hoa District, Long An, for storage. Tuan orchestrated all aspects of the drug trade, including sales, quantities, and pricing, while Cuong handled storage, packaging, and arranging deliveries via ride-hailing drivers.

Hai Duyen

* The driver's name has been changed