Ho Chi Minh City police arrest 140 in major drug crackdown

Investigators initially identified Dang Phan Thanh Tung, a drug addict involved in small-scale trafficking across several wards including Ben Cat, Thoi Hoa, Binh Duong, Thu Dau Mot, Phu Loi, Thuan Giao, and An Phu.

Through surveillance and investigation, police uncovered multiple suspected links connected to a wider drug distribution network.

Investigators subsequently launched a specialized operation targeting the entire ring.

On April 15, officers arrested Tung while he was allegedly transporting illegal narcotics for distribution.

Further investigation revealed three major suppliers above Tung and 12 distribution branches below him, responsible for selling to addicts and organizing illegal use.

On Wednesday, city police announced that they had filed charges against and temporarily detained 71 suspects on allegations of drug trafficking, illegal possession of narcotics, and organizing the illegal use of drugs.

Two Vietnamese singers, 59-year-old Long Nhat and 36-year-old Son Ngoc Minh, are among those prosecuted.