Hanoi, Vietnam – The Drug Crime Investigation Police Department (C04) under the Ministry of Public Security announced the dismantling of a significant cross-border drug production and trafficking ring on November 24. This major operation led to the arrest of seven suspects, including the ring leader, 43-year-old Chinese national Liao Zhihuai.

According to Vietnam News Agency, the agency revealed that it had been informed in early August 2023 about plans by two Taiwanese individuals to transport drugs from Vietnam to other countries using sea routes. In September, six suspects entered Vietnam, taking various steps to prepare for their operation, including renting storage facilities in Hai Phong city. Two other ring members arrived later to oversee the unloading of drugs hidden in the warehouse. On September 22, a coordinated operation involving multiple police departments and the Vietnam Immigration Department led to the arrest of the suspects and the discovery of 750kg of ketamine in the Hai Phong warehouse. Further investigations led to the arrest of Pham Duy Khanh in Ha Tinh, who was found transporting 550kg of ketamine concealed in his vehicle.

Liao disclosed to investigators the methods used by the ring, including setting up a pharmaceutical company to acquire precursors and chemicals for synthetic drug production. The drugs were then transported to Vietnam and stored in Thai Binh before being moved to Hai Phong for export. The suspects’ company had reportedly imported nearly 9,000 tons of various chemicals and precursors, valued at over 5.7 million USD, within a year. The ongoing investigation is expected to provide further insights into this extensive drug trafficking network.