Nguyen Cong Tri at the time of his arrest. Photo courtesy of HCM City Police
Tri, 47, was detained along with 36-year-old Tran Phu Long on suspicion of organising the illegal use of narcotics. The arrest is part of a broader investigation into an online drug trafficking ring.
According to authorities, the probe began on June 12 when police raided a residence in Tan Hoa Ward and found a 34-year-old suspect in possession of cannabis and cocaine. The suspect was allegedly selling drugs through encrypted messaging platforms such as Telegram and Signal, using multiple bank accounts to process transactions.
As the investigation progressed, police traced the drug network to Tri’s residence in Tan Hung Ward. On the evening of June 23, officers reportedly found Tri and Long using drugs. Items seized at the scene included porcelain dishes, rolled banknotes, and plastic cards believed to have been used in drug consumption.
A native of Danang City, Tri is one of Vietnam’s most acclaimed fashion figures and a member of the Asian Couture Federation.
Since launching his label in 2009, he has dressed global celebrities including Beyoncé, Miley Cyrus, Jennifer Lopez, Charlize Theron, Michelle Obama, Rosé of Blackpink, and Rebecca Ferguson, alongside many Vietnamese stars.
In 2014, Tri became the first Vietnamese designer to be named among the “Top 100 Contemporary Fashion Faces,” helping to propel his international reputation. That same year, he was invited to Tokyo Fashion Week and later featured in Vogue’s runway coverage. His collections have also appeared at New York Fashion Week, elevating the global visibility of Vietnamese fashion.
The investigation remains ongoing.
