Ho Chi Minh City police seize 100,000 drug-use devices

Authorities announced on June 22 that they had launched criminal proceedings against 12 individuals accused of operating a particularly large manufacturing and distribution network supplying equipment used for drug consumption.

The investigation began earlier this month when police inspected a house in Binh Tan Ward and found two occupants, Ho Thi Bao Nhi and Huynh Van Thang, testing positive for illicit drugs.

Officers seized two packets of narcotics, one device being used for drug consumption and 10 unused devices at the property.

At around the same time, police in Tan Dinh Ward identified several leads linked to the suspected sale and transportation of equipment associated with drug use.

Further investigations revealed that the suspects had allegedly used glassware businesses and the trade of certain household products as a cover for producing and selling large quantities of drug-use paraphernalia.

According to investigators, the group relied on mobile phones, social media platforms and delivery applications to conduct transactions and distribute products, creating a closed supply chain from manufacturing to end users.

Police carried out coordinated raids at multiple locations and seized more than 100,000 items, including finished products, components and semi-finished materials linked to the production and sale of equipment intended for drug consumption.

Investigators identified Dam Thi Mai as the central figure behind the organisation's manufacturing and distribution operations.

Several other suspects are accused of participating in production, logistics, advertising, sales, transportation and product distribution activities over an extended period.

The investigation is continuing as authorities seek to determine the full scale of the operation and identify any additional individuals involved.