HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM — Police have arrested 247 people following raids on three nightclubs suspected of drug-related activities in and around Ho Chi Minh City. Authorities announced Wednesday that legal proceedings have begun against those arrested for drug trafficking, possession, or enabling drug use.
The raids targeted the F5 Club in Dong Hoa Ward, Six T Club in An Phu Ward, and TGT Disco Club in Vung Tau Ward. Over 1.5 kilograms of various illegal drugs were seized from the three venues.
Police say Bui Phan Minh Toan led a group that owned both F5 Club and Six T Club. Investigators allege the group deliberately allowed external dealers to sell drugs openly inside the clubs to boost attendance. They enforced a rule that barred customers from bringing in their own drugs — instead requiring them to buy from two in-house networks, operated by Vo Hoang Anh and Nguyen Thanh Men.
At TGT Disco Club, owner Nguyen Truong Giang reportedly did not supply drugs but instructed staff to ignore customers who brought their own narcotics. During the raid, 186 patrons and staff tested positive for drugs. Police also confiscated over 100 grams of synthetic drugs and 57 cylinders of nitrous oxide (laughing gas).
Authorities said these raids were the result of over two weeks of surveillance and that operations like this would continue as part of a broader crackdown on drug use in nightlife venues.
