Destroying a "huge" drug trafficking network from Europe to Vietnam by air

Drug evidence. Photo: Hai Phong Police.

Take advantage of freight transportation services

According to information just announced by Hai Phong Police, through reconnaissance work and coordinating to process information, the Police Department investigating drug-related crimes (PC04, Hai Phong Police) and functional units including: Hanoi Customs Department, PC 04 (Hanoi Police) discovered that a number of subjects in Hai Phong were colluding and connecting with Vietnamese subjects living in European countries to take advantage of the air cargo transport service to establish an illegal transnational drug transport line from European countries to Vietnam for consumption.

The subjects living in European countries are responsible for buying drugs (ecstasy) and packing them into metal boxes and then disguising them as boxes of cheese and functional foods to hide from the authorities. Next, the subjects took advantage of the air freight service to transport goods to Vietnam. When receiving "goods", entities in Hai Phong are responsible for coordinating and transporting them to other localities for consumption.

For each of the above stages, to ensure that the process of transporting and illegally consuming narcotics takes place smoothly and without loopholes, the subjects assign specific tasks to each member in a very meticulous and methodical manner.

From the person in the name of the delivery person to the person receiving the order, receiving the goods, the carrier, and paying for each shipping service, all are arranged strictly.

Put away the hoof

After a period of persistently pursuing, verifying, and clarifying the methods and tricks of the subjects' criminal activities, with the spirit of resolutely attacking and suppressing criminals, PC04 reported to Hai Phong police leaders to direct functional forces; Develop and implement plans, assign reconnaissance forces, and proactively apply synchronous professional measures to fight and destroy the above-mentioned transnational drug trafficking and illegal transportation lines.

On February 28, 2024, at 215 Lach Tray, Dang Giang ward, Ngo Quyen army (Hai Phong), reconnaissance units of PC04 (Hai Phong Police) coordinated with Hanoi Customs Department, PC 04 (Police Hanoi) simultaneously attacked and destroyed the network of illegally transporting drugs across borders by air from Europe to Vietnam for consumption.

Subjects: Nguyen Van Toi, Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong and Vu Van Hanh (from left). Photo: Hai Phong Police.

The authorities arrested two subjects, including: Nguyen Van Toi, born in 1987 (in Vinh Niem ward, Le Chan, Hai Phong) and Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong, born in 1969 (in Nam Dinh). The confiscated evidence was about 45,000 synthetic drug pills (MDMA type) with a total weight of 17,905 kg, disguised by the subjects in 27 metal cheese boxes along with a number of other related exhibits.

Expanding the investigation, the authorities quickly found clues and clearly identified Vu Van Hanh, born in 1966 (in Hoang Van Thu ward, Hong Bang district, Hai Phong, husband of Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong) as a very important link in the case to expand the fight and arrest other subjects in the above-mentioned crime ring.

Hanh's movements were also quickly captured by the authorities. On March 9, 2024, the Police Investigation Agency (Hai Phong Police) issued a wanted decision for Vu Van Hanh for illegal transportation of drugs. Right on March 9, 2024, the working group of PC04 (Hai Phong Police) in coordination with the Criminal Police Team (Le Chan District Police) and other functional forces successfully deployed an arrest force against Vu Van Hanh while hiding in Ward 10, Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City.

The Police Investigation Agency (Hai Phong Police) has decided to prosecute 3 defendants: Nguyen Van Toi, Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong and Vu Van Hanh for illegally transporting drugs.

The case is being further investigated by the authorities.