Among them is Ha Danh Nam, said to be the mastermind behind the operation.
They’re part of a larger group of 227 defendants tied to a major drug trafficking ring that grew out of a March 2023 case involving four female flight attendants allegedly used to smuggle drugs through Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City.
The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Procuracy on Aug. 24 delivered its indictment against the 227 defendants, describing it as an extremely serious, highly sophisticated, and large-scale transnational case.
According to the procuracy, Nam, 52, from Nghe An Province organized the transportation of drugs from France to Vietnam by air and through international express delivery services. The drugs were concealed in toothpaste, dietary supplements, confectionery, and other consumer goods.
Nam successfully arranged six shipments before the next consignment was detected. Hoang Sy Thang was hired to receive the drugs in Dong Nai that borders HCMC before recruiting Bui Van Anh to help divide the drugs and deliver them to distribution contacts. The network subsequently developed multiple distribution branches in HCMC, former Binh Duong Province, and several other localities.
