WATCH CLIP:

Drug factory in the middle of the cemetery

One day after the Drug Crime Investigation Police Department (C04 - Ministry of Public Security) announced the destruction of the country's largest ketamine production facility in Nha Trang City, authorities are still protecting the scene.

C04 determined that this was the largest and most serious drug production “headquarters” ever. At the time of the raid, the police seized a total of 1.4 tons of ketamine of very high purity and nearly 80 tons of chemicals.

According to VietNamNet 's records on March 27, at the drug factory, the outer door of the factory was locked, and there were many police officers on duty inside. The drug factory is located on a plot of land larger than 1,000 square meters on a hillside, near the northern cemetery (Vinh Luong commune, Nha Trang city).

W-0c7aac43 bbca 428a a7e9 b4fefdbf9cdd.jpeg
Drug factory on the hillside near the northern cemetery, Vinh Luong commune, Nha Trang city. Photo: Xuan Ngoc

This location is far from residential areas, with few people passing by, and the factory is surrounded by hillsides with dense vegetation. Outside the factory are some items used in the ketamine production process. The factory is surrounded by corrugated iron, the criminal group installed a surveillance camera system, raised sniffer dogs, and had 24/7 guards.

In addition to the above location, this group also set up two other locations in the city to gather materials, chemicals and equipment related to drug production. The lands were rented from local people.

W-Ma tuy IMG_0596.jpg
Police on duty, protecting the scene of the drug factory, March 27. Photo: Xuan Ngoc

According to local residents, before the police raid, the factory showed no signs of anything unusual. Occasionally, they saw lights in the area and thought people were farming. When they learned that the factory was a drug manufacturing facility, they were surprised because few people passed by.

Previously, C04 - Ministry of Public Security coordinated with professional units of the Ministry of Public Security and Khanh Hoa Provincial Police to establish Project 199D. After a period of investigation, at around 0:00 on March 22, nearly 200 police officers and soldiers simultaneously raided 3 drug factory areas.

W-Ma tuy 1 .jpg
There is a unique path to enter the drug factory. Photo: Xuan Ngoc

The police force arrested 11 subjects (4 Chinese, 3 Taiwanese (China), 4 Vietnamese), seized 1.4 tons of high-purity ketamine and nearly 80 tons of chemicals.

Among them, Truong Xuan Minh (51 years old, Taiwanese nationality, China) led the line to Vietnam in 2021. He created a cover of investing, doing business, and raising ornamental fish but in fact it was to hide illegal activities.

Tools used by the subjects to produce synthetic drugs. Photo: C04.jpg
Tools used by the subjects to produce synthetic drugs. Photo: C04

In November 2024, Minh asked someone to rent a 1,000m2 plot of land in the cemetery north of Vinh Luong commune (Nha Trang city) to build a workshop. After that, he rented another 300m2 plot of land 3km away from the previous plot to gather raw materials, chemicals and related equipment.

Minh also hired people to produce raw materials to produce synthetic drugs in two stages. Judging that the opportunity was ripe, Task Force 199D decided to crack the case.

The police general recounted the raid by 200 police officers on the drug factory at midnight . The police used a strong mobile force, prepared specialized clothing to prevent poisoning, asphyxiation... They even had to prepare fire trucks, police dogs... to prevent the subjects from fighting back or hiding.