Milk as a cover for illicit drug transportation on airlines

The drugs were disguised under milk cartons that were seized.

The Anti-Drug Enforcement Team (Hanoi Customs Department), in collaboration with the Hanoi City Police's Drug-related Crime Investigation Department and the Nghe An Provincial Police, has successfully intercepted a shipment of illegal drugs transported from Europe to Vietnam via air, seizing over 8 kilograms of Ketamine.

The illicit cargo was shipped from Europe (Netherlands) to Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport and then forwarded to Quynh Luu District, Nghe An Province.

On October 25, 2024, the Nghe An Provincial Police's Drug-related crime Investigation Department, in coordination with the Hanoi City Police's Drug-related crime Investigation Department, Hanoi Customs Department, and Quynh Luu District Police (Nghe An), identified Nguyen Van Ba (born in 1993), a resident of Quynh Giang Commune, Quynh Luu District, Nghe An Province, as the recipient of a consignment of 16 milk cartons suspected of containing synthetic drugs, sent from Europe to Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport and then forwarded to Quynh Luu District, Nghe An Province.

After gathering sufficient evidence, at around 1:00 PM on October 25, 2024, law enforcement officers caught Nguyen Van Ba red-handed as he was receiving the "goods" and loading them onto a tricycle, preparing to leave the ticket office of a transportation company in Cau Giat Town, Quynh Luu District, Nghe An Province.

According to the Nghe An Provincial Police, during the arrest, Nguyen Van Ba violently resisted and attempted to flee by reversing his vehicle. However, with a determined spirit to combat crime, the police successfully subdued and apprehended the suspect.

Upon searching the person and vehicle, law enforcement officers discovered the drugs disguised within the 16 milk cartons. A subsequent search of the suspect's residence yielded an additional 600 synthetic drug pills.

At the time of his arrest and during interrogation, suspect Nguyen Van Ba made false statements to deny the charges and attempted suicide. However, faced with compelling evidence, the suspect eventually confessed to his crime.

According to the suspect, the drugs were sent to him by a Vietnamese individual residing in Europe for distribution.

The case is currently under further investigation to be prosecuted according to the law.