On June 22, the city's Drug Crime Investigation Division (PC04) announced criminal proceedings against 12 suspects accused of operating one of the largest drug paraphernalia production and distribution networks uncovered in the city.

Investigators said the breakthrough originated from what initially appeared to be a routine drug-related case.

Small clue uncovers larger network

In early June, officers from Team 3 of the Drug Crime Investigation Division, working with police in Binh Tan Ward, carried out an administrative inspection at a residence on N.T.L Street.

Authorities caught two individuals, identified as Ho Thi Bao Nhi and Huynh Van Thang, who later tested positive for methamphetamine.

Police seized two packets of drugs, one used glass smoking pipe and 10 newly delivered glass pipes that had not yet been used.

According to investigators, simply handling the drug possession and consumption offences would have addressed only part of the problem. Detectives instead focused on tracing the origin of the glass pipes in an effort to identify the wider network supporting illegal drug use.

At the same time, officers in Tan Dinh Ward had gathered intelligence indicating suspicious trading and transportation activities involving glass pipes and glass containers commonly associated with drug consumption.

Recognising that these leads aligned with the ongoing investigation, senior leaders of the Ho Chi Minh City Police Department authorised a specialised operation.

Following the supply chain

Applying what investigators described as a strategy of "following the flow of drugs," the task force concentrated not only on users but also on the supply chains providing equipment used for illegal drug consumption.

The investigation uncovered a tightly organised operation spanning multiple stages, including raw material procurement, manufacturing, processing, storage, distribution and sales across several localities.

To conceal their activities, suspects allegedly operated under the cover of legitimate glassware and household goods businesses. Transactions were conducted primarily through mobile phones, social media platforms and app-based delivery services.

Once sufficient evidence had been gathered, authorities simultaneously raided multiple locations across the city, including premises on A.C Street, L.D.H Street, N.T.N Street, Street 28 and several other sites.

More than 100,000 items seized

The raids revealed the scale of the operation.

Investigators seized more than 100,000 items, components and semi-finished products, including over 14,000 completed glass smoking pipes, nearly 2,000 glass containers, tens of thousands of glass tubes and pipe sections, large quantities of precision scales, zip-lock bags and lighters.

Authorities also confiscated gas cylinders, oxygen tanks, oxygen-generating equipment, blowtorches and numerous specialised glass-blowing tools used in the manufacturing process.

Police identified Dam Thi Mai as the alleged ringleader who oversaw production and distribution activities throughout the network.

Investigators believe the suspects were fully aware that the products were intended for illegal drug users but continued manufacturing and distributing them on a large scale for profit.

Twelve suspects charged

The Ho Chi Minh City Police Investigation Agency has formally charged 12 suspects with offences including illegal drug trafficking and the production, possession, transportation or sale of equipment and tools used for unlawful drug consumption.

Investigators said that behind every drug user lies not only a narcotics supply chain but also a supporting network that provides equipment facilitating drug abuse.

Authorities described the operation as an example of effective coordination among multiple police units and said dismantling such manufacturing networks is an important step toward the city's goal of becoming drug-free by 2030.

Dam De