Dinh Nhikolai, a Vietnamese-Russian model, has been indicted along with 12 others for their involvement in an illicit drug trafficking operation in Ho Chi Minh City. Nhikolai, along with nine others, faces charges related to the possession of methamphetamine, with amounts ranging from 0.1 grams to less than 5 grams. If convicted, they could face one to five years in prison, according to Voice of HCMC (VOH).
Three additional individuals, including a mother and her two sons, are charged with the illegal trading of narcotic substances, facing a potential sentence of seven to 15 years in prison. The case has drawn significant attention due to Nhikolai’s public profile.
Nhikolai, aged 30, gained fame after participating in Vietnam’s Next Top Model in 2013. Standing at 1.92 meters tall, he is known as the “Russian hybrid male god” in the modeling industry, appearing in numerous fashion shows and music videos. Authorities began investigating him in June 2024 when District 1 police observed him and several others acting suspiciously during routine patrols. This led to Nhikolai’s arrest and a broader investigation.
The police investigation revealed that Nhikolai had purchased crystal meth for VND250,000 (US$10) from one of the sons of Tran Thi Hoa, a 56-year-old woman involved in drug distribution. Hoa admitted to buying drugs through social media contacts, breaking them into smaller portions, and selling them for profit. Her two sons assisted in distributing the drugs for a commission.
Nhikolai confessed that he intended to use the meth for personal consumption but was arrested before he could do so. He was formally detained on June 25, 2024. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities continue to pursue other individuals involved in the illegal operation.
