Phu Tho (VNA) – Police in the northern province of Phu Tho have recently recommended charges against 73 suspects from across the country in connection with a major transnational drug trafficking ring, one of the largest of its kind in Vietnam to date.
According to the provincial investigation police agency, the case stemmed from a crackdown on a local drug-dealing hotspot in Cam Khe district. The ring leader was identified as Hoang Van Thu, born in 1977 and residing in Tung Khe commune, Cam Khe district. Investigators soon uncovered a vast interprovincial drug trafficking network operating on a large scale.
In June last year, the director of the Phu Tho Police formally launched a special operation, assigning the drug crime investigation division to lead the case. After more than 10 months of intensive work, the agency has brought charges against 73 individuals for various offences involving the illegal trading and possession of narcotics and military-grade weapons. Among the accused, 29 face prosecution under Clause 4, Article 251 of the Penal Code – an offence carrying the maximum penalty of death.
Seized evidence includes over 27 bricks of heroin (approximately 8kg), more than 278,000 amphetamine tablets (over 25kg), crystal meth (624g), ketamine (6.5kg), liquid narcotics, ecstasy, cocaine, cannabis, and opium. Police also confiscated a tablet moulding machine, five firearms (including two military-grade weapons), 20 bullets, five cars, over 100 mobile phones, and nearly 2 billion VND (77,085 USD) in frozen or seized assets.
The successful takedown not only prevented dozens of kilograms of narcotics from entering Vietnam, but also dismantled several highly organised cross-border trafficking operations./.
