Drug trafficking ring busted: Synthetic drugs concealed in pickled bamboo containers

Drug evidence in a case busted by C04 in 2024. Photo: C04.

Drug bust uncovers firearms and ammunition

Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Vien, Director of the Department of Drug-related Crime Investigation (C04), Ministry of Public Security, revealed details of the two operations.

Utilizing professional investigative techniques, authorities uncovered a drug trafficking network smuggling large quantities of narcotics from Laos to Son La for distribution across provinces.

The network was led by Giang A Sua, a 39-year-old resident of Moc Chau District, Son La Province.

On June 26, 2024, C04 launched Operation 624M, mobilizing resources and coordinating with local authorities to dismantle the ring.

After more than a month of surveillance, investigators tracked Sua’s movements as he traveled to Laos to purchase narcotics and smuggle them back to Son La for storage. He later partnered with Nguyen Muoi, a 35-year-old resident of Viet Tri City, Phu Tho Province, to transport the drugs to Hanoi for sale.

On July 15, 2024, Muoi rented a car and traveled with Sua to Son La to pick up the drugs. Acting on the operation plan, authorities intercepted the vehicle in Phu Chau Commune, Ba Vi District, Hanoi, and apprehended the suspects.

A search of the vehicle uncovered 6 packages of synthetic drugs containing a total of 12,000 methamphetamine pills weighing 1.2 kilograms.

Notably, the traffickers concealed the drugs inside plastic containers labeled as pickled bamboo shoots to avoid detection.

A subsequent search of Nguyen Muoi’s residence led to the seizure of two K59 pistols, three magazines and 64 bullets, two air rifles capable of firing lead pellets.

Muoi admitted to purchasing the firearms for self-defense and resale purposes.

In another case, authorities seized a substantial quantity of drugs and additional firearms.

On November 6, 2024, C04, in coordination with the Tay Ninh Provincial Police, successfully concluded Operation 424G by arresting Dang Thanh Tuan (44 years old) from Thong Nhat District, Dong Nai Province, and Pham Van Tien (36 years old) from Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai Province, who were temporarily residing in Tay Ninh.

Authorities confiscated 30 kilograms of methamphetamine, 16 kilograms of synthetic drugs (ketamine), and one gun with four bullets.

Further investigation of Tuan’s storage facility in Tay Ninh uncovered 5 kilograms of synthetic drugs, 900 packets of liquid narcotics branded “Ferrari”, 200 pills, 1.2 kilograms of powdered narcotics, and numerous related materials and documents.

By late December 2024, the total evidence seized in this operation included 52 kilograms of synthetic drugs, 900 liquid narcotic packets, 200 pills, one firearm and four bullets.

Evolving tactics in drug trafficking

C04 forecasts that drug-related crimes in Vietnam will continue to evolve and pose increasing challenges in the near future.

Key hotspots include Northwest, Northeast, North Central–Central Highlands, and Southwest regions, which remain primary areas of concern for trafficking and drug-related offenses.

Criminal networks are employing increasingly sophisticated and dangerous methods, such as concealing drugs in food products, beverages, and electronic cigarettes; using air cargo and postal services for smuggling; exploiting maritime routes by utilizing ships to purchase and transport drugs in international waters near Vietnam; dropping drug packages equipped with GPS devices into the sea to be retrieved later by traffickers.

When suspecting enforcement activities, traffickers have even abandoned drug packages at sea to avoid detection.

Given these alarming developments, C04 stressed that combating drug crimes will face mounting difficulties and dangers in the coming period.

To address this challenge, the Drug-related Crime Investigation Police Department will intensify efforts to deploy synchronized, decisive strategies to detect and dismantle trafficking networks; arrest offenders and confiscate illegal substances; strengthen international cooperation to counter cross-border smuggling.

Authorities remain committed to ensuring national security and protecting public safety in the face of increasingly complex drug-related threats.