Authorities in Danang announced on June 2 that they had broken up a sophisticated drug distribution ring operating in the city.
Investigators identified La Thi Ngoc Anh, a 23-year-old woman from Dak Lak Province, as a suspected distributor who allegedly sold illegal drugs to foreign customers. Police said she used social media applications and encrypted communications to arrange transactions and conceal her activities.
Anh and Nho with evidence in the case (Photo: Danang Police).
At around 4 am on June 1, officers caught Anh at a hotel on Tran Hung Dao Street in An Hai Ward while she was allegedly preparing to deliver drugs to customers.
Items seized at the scene included three packets of synthetic drugs commonly known as “happy water”, three packets of ketamine, two packets of methamphetamine, 20 methamphetamine tablets, a digital scale and other related evidence.
At the same time, police also detained Man Jian Xiang for allegedly organizing illegal drug use.
Expanding the investigation, authorities arrested Xu Ming Chen and Yu Xun on suspicion of illegal drug possession. A search of Yu Xun's hotel room in An Hai Ward led to the seizure of an additional packet of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
Police later arrested Pham Thi Xuan Nho, a woman from Gia Lai Province, at an apartment in Ngu Hanh Son Ward on suspicion of drug trafficking.
Authorities seized 12 packets of “happy water”, 29 ecstasy tablets, 97 methamphetamine tablets, three bags containing a white powder believed to be ketamine, nine bags containing crystal methamphetamine, 15 glass drug use devices and other evidence.
According to investigators, Nho admitted storing and supplying drugs to Anh. Police said she had previously been convicted twice on drug related offences and had completed a prison sentence in 2025 before allegedly reoffending.
La Thi Ngoc Anh, Pham Thi Xuan Nho, Man Jian Xiang, Xu Ming Chen and Yu Xun are currently being held for further investigation as authorities continue to determine each suspect's role in the case and identify any additional individuals involved.
