Ho Chi Minh City police crack down on drug crime

Ho Chi Minh City police have intensified efforts to combat drug trafficking, processing over 6,400 drug-related violations in the first ten months of 2026. Law enforcement agencies are focusing on tracing the supply, transport, and distribution networks of illegal substances.

Following an inspection of a bar on October 7, 2026, authorities identified six individuals who tested positive for drugs. This investigation expanded into a larger operation that resulted in the arrest of 151 suspects by October 19, 2026. Police officials stated they are using a strategy to “trace the drug flow,” allowing them to dismantle networks from the primary leaders down to the end users.

In a separate related investigation in An Khanh ward, a local individual tested positive for ketamine. This led to the criminal prosecution of 12 defendants on charges of illegal drug trafficking and organizing illegal drug use.