HCM City cracks down on drug crimes

A man is arrested for smuggling drug from Dubai to HCM City. (Source: VNA)

HCM City (VNA) – The police and relevant agencies of Ho Chi Minh City have intensified crackdowns on drug crimes this year, seizing a large volume of drugs, including 10kg of heroin and over 110kg of synthetic drugs in the last ten months.

The municipal police reported a surge in crimes related to synthetic drugs.

Senior Lieutenant Colonel Vo Van Trai, deputy director of the Office for Drug - related Crime Investigation (PC47) under the municipal police said the city is not only a transit stop of drug smugglers but also a major consumption market.

The officer noted a rising trend in the transport of drugs using land and aviation express delivery services in recent years.

From 2013 to 2015, the municipal police in coordination with the city’s customs discovered 19 cases of drug trafficking, seizing over 47kg of drug precursors, which are used to produce methamphetamine.

The PC47 has also uncovered six cases of methamphetamine production in the city since 2010.

The police has also intensified inspection of bars, dance halls and hotels suspected of organising the drug use.

Most recently, a raid of the B&U Hotel in District 3’s Ward 3 on October 25 found more than 80 teenagers using drugs.

Senior Lieutenant Colonel Vo Van Trai said in the remaining months of the year, more crackdowns will be launched focusing on the trafficking of drugs from the north and abroad to Ho Chi Minh City via land and air routes.

The city’s police will work with the municipal judicial agency to organize mobile trials of drug-related cases in order to raise public awareness of preventing the crime. -VNA