VietNamNet Bridge – HCM City police on Thursday arrested more than 20 people suspected of involvement in a drug ring led by Van Kinh Duong.

HCM City Police seized over 500,000 ecstaty tablets and 120kg of drug powder estimated to worth over VND200 billion (US$8.8 million.

Police also seized over 500,000 ecstaty tablets, 120 kg of drug powder estimated to worth over VND200 billion (US$8.8 million), more than VND10 billion ($440,000) in cash, seven cars and equipment used to make drugs.

The case is said the biggest-ever drug ring to be detected in Viet Nam.

Duong, 36, of Ha Noi served six years and then escaped from jail. A wanted man, he forged documents under the name Tran Ngoc Hieu and continued producing drugs.

Earlier, Duong was found to manage drug-making establishments in HCM City and Nha Trang, thanks to social networking and surveillance camera. He sometimes visited the establishments.

Dozens of Duong’s “brothers” joined his ring, especially Nguyen Duc Ki Nam, 49, who is an expert chemist and directly made drug powder, dried and shaped them.

The drugs were hidden on suitcases from HCM City to Ha Noi.

Police investigation revealed that since the beginning of last year, they produced almost 300 kg of drug.

As soon as Duong was arrested, over 200 police officers examined 13 drug establishments of Duong in HCM City and other provinces.

The case is under further investigation. 

VNS