HCM City People's Committee has asked local authorities in District 1 to curb the rampant drug trading at Bui Vien Pedestrian Street.

Drug selling on Bui Vien Street

Drugs are sold on Alley 186 Bui Vien, Pham Ngu Lao Ward.

An addict said they were rarely caught and the goods were cheaper than normal. The police are raiding District 8 and prices have surged, only the prices in An Suong and Bui Vien are cheaper, he said.

Two or three people sit at the entrance of the alleyway every day. Hundreds of buyers parked their motorbikes nearby and rush into the alleyway, where they were guided to a house. Sometimes, there was a long line of people queuing outside to wait for their turn.

According to the locals, they have been living in fear and can only send anonymous complaints to the authorities but the trading is still going on.

Pham Ngu Lao Ward People's Committee Chairman Le Tan Dat admitted there was drug selling on Bui Vien Street. He went on to say that the network was sophisticated and the traders were aggressive. Their guards will attack the police to let others escape and destroy the evidence thanks to maze-like alleyways.

Since last year, the police have admitted 195 addicts to social centres, busted dozens of drug trading cases and seized hundreds of heroin and other drugs. Most of the traders returned to selling drugs as soon as they were released.

Dat promised to increase inspection, deal with addicts come from other wards and help unemployed youths find jobs. "We need a long-term plan with help from higher agencies," he said.

HCM City People's Committee has asked the city police to inspect and prevent further drug trading activities in the city centre.

In August, Bui Vien Street was pedestrianised from 7 pm to 2 am on Saturdays and Sundays with various activities including music shows, traditional games and food stalls as well as souvenir shops to attract tourists.

dtinews