Bar manager, 6 employees prosecuted over laughing gas sales in Da Nang’s foreign tourist hub

Da Nang police said the city’s economic police division had investigated the sale of laughing gas at S.G. Bar on An Thuong 4 Street in Ngu Hanh Son Ward.

On Monday, investigators announced decisions to prosecute and detain the seven suspects on charges of trading banned goods.

The suspects were identified as Truong Minh Canh and Phan Thi Yen Nhi, both residents of Quang Tri Province in north-central Vietnam; Pham Hoang Gia Phong from Quang Ngai Province, which borders Da Nang; and Pham Ngoc Bang, Luong Xuan Nhi, Nguyen Le Minh Chau and Nguyen Le Cam Tu from Da Nang.

Investigators determined that Canh directly managed and ran operations at S.G. Bar.

Canh allegedly purchased laughing gas cylinders from an unidentified man and brought them to the bar to sell to customers who wanted to use the gas.

He instructed the six employees to assist with activities related to selling the gas.

From June 24 to July 10 alone, Canh collected more than VND284 million (US$10,900) from the sale of laughing gas, according to police.

The six employees, most of whom were in their early 20s, were paid for their regular duties, including serving customers, bartending and working as cashiers. They did not receive separate payments from the laughing gas sales.

Police said the suspects knew that laughing gas was a banned item and was prohibited from being traded, but they still assisted Canh in selling it at the bar.

Investigators are continuing to determine the amount of money earned from the laughing gas trade, as well as the roles of other people allegedly involved, for further legal action.