Approximately 200 suspects have been arrested.

Answering a question about organizing special operations to combat drug crimes at the regular government press conference on the afternoon of June 3rd, Lieutenant General To An Xo stated that the Ministry of Public Security always considers drug crime to be the most serious of all crimes. The fight against drug crime has been organized very decisively, closely, and has achieved many successes.

Vụ tiếp viên hàng không xách tay ma túy, đã bắt giữ khoảng 200 đối tượng - Ảnh 1. — Lieutenant General To An Xo, spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Security

Over the past six months, the police force has uncovered and prosecuted over 13,000 cases involving more than 20,000 individuals, seizing over 14,200 kg of heroin, 4,025 kg of synthetic drugs, 982,000 synthetic drug pills, and 210 kg of cannabis.

Recently, the fight against drug trafficking has revealed several emerging phenomena: the illegal buying, selling, and transportation of narcotics across numerous routes and areas, closely linked with other types of crime. Foreign individuals are also colluding and connecting with other individuals to illegally trade narcotics.

Secondly, foreign nationals are exploiting air transport to illegally smuggle drugs at some Vietnamese airports. Transit passengers bring drugs into Vietnam for consumption or onward shipment to a third country.

"Following the flight attendant incident, the Ministry of Public Security investigated and uncovered clues, arresting approximately 200 related individuals. This investigation will continue to expand. Drug trafficking via air travel is becoming quite complex," Mr. Xo said.

Thirdly, the situation regarding the organization and use of drugs in nightclubs, bars, and high-rise buildings in some localities is becoming very complex. Due to profit motives, some entertainment venues and business owners have turned a blind eye to drug use.

According to Lieutenant General Xô, while the fight against drug trafficking has prevented the supply, the most important thing is to reduce demand, that is, to reduce the number of drug addicts. As of March 15th, the total number of drug addicts and users was 233,906, including over 184,000 addicts and more than 49,900 illegal users; a decrease of approximately 8,000 compared to December 15th, 2022.

"The goal is to cut off the demand; residential areas and villages must be drug-free zones. People must fight against drug-related crimes, and they must shun and reject the word 'drugs'," Mr. Xô said.

Representatives from the Ministry of Public Security also affirmed that, to prevent drug crimes, the Ministry will continue to organize special operations to target drug trafficking rings and their ringleaders, rather than targeting individuals individually. In addition, they will cooperate with neighboring countries to intercept drug traffickers.

Vụ tiếp viên hàng không xách tay ma túy, đã bắt giữ khoảng 200 đối tượng - Ảnh 2. — The drugs, hidden in a tube of toothpaste, were brought back by flight attendants via Tan Son Nhat Airport.

Regarding the discovery of drugs in the luggage of four flight attendants arriving in Ho Chi Minh City from France on March 16, 2023, at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, on June 1, the Ho Chi Minh City Police also announced that they have initiated legal proceedings in 57 cases and indicted 129 defendants for the crimes of illegal buying, selling, transporting, and possessing narcotics, and failing to report crimes.

Initial investigations revealed that from mid-2022 until their arrest, the suspects trafficked over 109,000 ecstasy pills, 80 kg of ketamine, methamphetamine, and 3,000 packets of "happy water" (a new type of drug), with a total transaction value of approximately over 52 billion VND.

Previously, on March 16, 2023, authorities discovered four female flight attendants transporting drugs from France to Vietnam. After being temporarily detained for questioning, the prosecuting authorities released the four flight attendants.

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