# Drug enforcement operations in Vietnam

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/drug-enforcement-operations-in-vietnam
> Updated: 2026-08-09T03:06:03.000Z. Sources: 16. Developments: 2.

Law enforcement authorities in Vietnam have conducted several operations targeting illegal narcotics use and trafficking.

In Quang Ninh province, police arrested three bar employees—identified as Nguyen Thanh Thien, Le Thi Cam Thach, and Van Thi Bich Ngoc—for the organized use and sale of drugs. Following an administrative inspection of a rented residence in the Cau Ba Mai urban area, Mong Cai 1 ward, investigators found the suspects used the location to consume narcotics during the day. Thien reportedly confessed to selling Etomidate, specifically in “Pod Chill” form.

In Da Nang, police have launched an intensive 45-day peak period operation to combat drug crimes. This campaign involves specialized task forces conducting widespread inspections of residential areas, rental apartments, internet cafes, karaoke bars, and wholesale markets. During the initial stages of this crackdown, authorities conducted drug tests on 4,117 individuals, identifying 248 positive cases, including 202 individuals not previously on management lists. Recent enforcement actions include the detention of individuals for organizing drug use at a hotel and in rental apartments in Thanh Khe and Hoa Xuan. Additionally, inspections at a wholesale market in Hoa Cuong and a cafe in Hoa Tien resulted in further positive tests and arrests for illegal drug trafficking. Recent operations also uncovered ketamine and MDMA at a local eatery, while methamphetamine was seized during a traffic stop in Bac Ninh. In a separate incident in Bac Ninh, a man was detained for illegal drug possession after attempting to flee from traffic police.

## Claims

- Thanh Khe Ward Police conducted inspections of internet cafes and karaoke bars in Da Nang. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Police inspected 82 individuals at four internet/game facilities and four karaoke establishments. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Four individuals tested positive for drugs during the Thanh Khe inspections. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Two individuals were caught organizing illegal drug use at Phuong Anh 6 Hotel. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Hoa Cuong Ward Police inspected 155 people at a wholesale market in Da Nang. (single source)
- Four individuals tested positive for drugs during the market inspection. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-09: Vietnam authorities conduct major fraud trial and drug crackdowns

Vietnam authorities are managing a massive fraud trial in Da Nang involving 7,000 victims, alongside widespread drug crackdowns and arrests for environmental pollution and illegal firearm use.

12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/da-nang-police-conduct-drug-raids-at-businesses-and-wholesale-market

### 2026-08-09: Law enforcement actions reported in Quang Ninh and Thanh Hoa

Police in Quang Ninh and Thanh Hoa arrested three individuals for drug crimes, prosecuted a luxury watch dealer for counterfeit goods and tax evasion, and issued warnings on disguised cameras and speeding fines

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/qung-ninh-police-arrest-three-bar-employees-for-drug-offenses

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Cite as: Drug enforcement operations in Vietnam. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/drug-enforcement-operations-in-vietnam