Be wary of tricks of smuggling raw materials for domestic drug production

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Exhibits in the case of injecting heroin into electronic cigarettes. Photo: C04.

Use "virtual money" to buy ingredients

The Drug Crime Investigation Police Department (C04, Ministry of Public Security) has just announced the destruction of two large-scale synthetic drug production lines.

That is, the case of marinating heroin into electronic cigarettes was led by subject Le Anh Tho (residing in Hoang Mai district, Hanoi).

When solving the case (September 2023) at the suspects' warehouse (in Phuong Nhi commune, Thanh Tri district, Hanoi), the police confiscated more than 3,500 finished electronic cigarettes that had been injected with essential oils containing narcotics; 5 plastic cans containing 84 liters of heroin solution; 1 essential oil pump mixed with synthetic drugs; Nearly 300 cartons containing equipment to assemble into more than 10,000 electronic cigarettes, 1 million cigarette packs, and many solvents, chemicals, raw materials, components, accessories, boxes, and labels for use the production and packaging of electronic cigarettes.

In addition, the authorities also confiscated nearly 15,000 electronic cigarettes containing flavored essential oils that Le Anh Tho smuggled from abroad to Vietnam waiting to be sold to the market.

At the same time, a C04 working group arrested and searched Le Anh Tho's residence, confiscated many machines, chemicals, finished e-cigarettes, wrappers of rolling cigarette brands and e-cigarettes.

By the end of November 2023, C04 had prosecuted the case, prosecuted the accused, and detained 6 subjects for illegal drug trafficking.

Previously, in June 2023, C04 presided over the destruction of a "happy water" drug production line led by Nguyen Thi Hoai, 31 years old (residing in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City).

By the end of November 2023, C04 had prosecuted the case, prosecuted 10 defendants in the line. Initially, the Investigation Agency clarified that in half a year, the subjects prepared, packaged and exported to the market about 750 kg of the drug "happy water".

The common point in the two large-scale arrests mentioned above is that the subjects went abroad or went online to learn how to produce synthetic drugs. After that, they continued to contact subjects abroad to order synthetic marijuana, flavored essential oils, chemicals, electronic cigarette equipment, tobacco fibers, additives, packaging, etc and then smuggled them into the country to serve the production of synthetic drugs.

"During the investigation process, the Cong An agency discovered a new trick of the subjects using virtual currency to buy and sell raw materials for drug production," said Major General Nguyen Ngoc Quang, Deputy Director of C04.

Major General Nguyen Ngoc Quang talked about the situation of synthetic drug production at a press conference organized by C04 at the end of November 2023. Photo: T.Binh.

Resolutely fight and prevent domestic drug production

According to Major General Nguyen Ngoc Quang, forms of drugs "hiding" in the shadow of electronic cigarettes, candy, drinks, etc appeared in our country many years ago, but recently there have been many complicated developments.

“Currently, the designs of these new drugs are very eye-catching, have attractive flavors, and attract young people. In particular, the psychology of young people is that they like exploring. Some types of drugs commonly used to produce this new form of synthetic drugs are cannabis oil, ketamine, methamphetamine, etc", Major General Nguyen Ngoc Quang emphasized.

Meanwhile, the harmful effects of new drugs are very great, which are nerve stimulation, hallucinations, affecting the cardiovascular system, etc, especially, more severe cases can cause poisoning and death.

Faced with the above situation, according to Lieutenant General Nguyen Duy Ngoc, Deputy Minister of Public Security, along with solutions to prevent Vietnam from becoming an international drug transit point, the Police force investigates drug crimes and the authorities must step up the fight to prevent domestic drug production.

In addition to combat measures, according to C04 leaders, the unit has been coordinating with the Ministry of Education and Training and functional units to strengthen propaganda about the tricks and harmful effects of new drugs.