Investigation expanded into transnational synthetic drug smuggling network
The anti-narcotics investigation unit under the Hanoi Police Department is expanding investigation into a network smuggling synthetic drugs from Europe to Vietnam for distribution.
Earlier, the unit, in coordination with the municipal Customs Department, uncovered a drug trafficking operation that involved shipping narcotics hidden in packages from Europe to Noi Bai International Airport in the capital city. Authorities then initiated a plan to dismantle the network.
On July 8, during an inspection of a pallet shipment from Germany to Noi Bai, officials discovered a package weighing 240 kg, which contained 15 smaller packages, including one foam box with baby formula and 14 cardboard boxes with ceramic candleholders, all of which had narcotics concealed inside.
The following day, Nguyen Van Duc, born in 1994 from the northern province of Vinh Phuc, arrived to collect the packages. Authorities required him to open the shipment, which led to the discovery of 34 kg of MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly) hidden inside the ceramic candleholders.
Duc initially confessed to his involvement in the crime, and the Hanoi police issued an emergency arrest order for him on charges of illegal drug trafficking.
