The four men were arrested after a security check revealed the discovery of eight kilograms of methamphetamine and three kilograms of cocaine and ketamine hidden in toothpaste tubes in their luggage on March 16.
They said they agreed to transport 60 kg of goods for some acquaintances, including tubes of toothpaste for which they received VND10 million, but were “too tired” to check them carefully.
They were released six days after police determined they indeed had no knowledge of the drugs.
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Hundreds of tubes of toothpaste containing medicine were found in the luggage of four Vietnam Airlines flight attendants flying from France to Vietnam, March 16, 2023. Photo provided by HCMC Customs. |
Nguyen Duc Thai, head of the HCMC People’s Procuratorate, told a municipal meeting on Wednesday that the case was one of several indicating that drug trafficking through Tan Son Nhat Airport has become rampant.
The drugs are disguised as gifts, sent by express delivery and carried in carry-on luggage, he said.
Speaking about crimes committed in the city, he said the number of criminal cases increased by 23 percent this year to 9,345.
The number of people under criminal investigation increased by 43% to 9,831.
Crimes related to social order increased by 1,061, drugs by 722 and corruption and abuse of power by 45.
The city has seen the emergence of loan shark networks who approach people in various ways, including distributing leaflets and advertising on social media, and collecting debts through physical and mental harassment.
Police examined the debt collection methods of 79 branches of the F88 pawnshop chain and arrested seven people for “confiscation of property.”
The number of cases involving the use of computer networks, telecommunications and electronic means to appropriate property has also increased.
Thai said police consider the corruption case at the Vietnam Registry Department and the city’s motor vehicle registration centers as the most serious this year.
A criminal investigation was opened against 209 people involved in the case, including civil servants and registrars, for accepting bribes from vehicle owners to ignore violations.
Investigations revealed similar violations in many cities and provinces across the country.
Dang Viet Ha, director of the Vietnam Registry, was arrested in January for allegedly accepting bribes from registration centers across the country.
