Award for outstanding achievement in dismantling transnational drug ring
On June 10, at the headquarters of the Ho Chi Minh City Police, the Ministry of Public Security announced the Prime Minister's commendation letter and presented awards for outstanding achievements in the fight against Special Operation 126N, dismantling a transnational drug trafficking and transportation ring from abroad into Vietnam for consumption.
Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Long, member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Minister, and Head of the Investigation Police Agency of the Ministry of Public Security, presided over the award ceremony.
Colonel Nguyen Van Cuong, Deputy Director of the Drug Crime Investigation Police Department (C04), announced the Prime Minister's commendation letter and the Minister of Public Security's decision to reward collectives with outstanding achievements in the fight against the special operations.
Through intelligence work, the Drug Crime Investigation Police Department discovered a drug trafficking and transportation ring from abroad into Vietnam with signs of transnational and inter-provincial operations on a large scale. The ring operated with tight organization and clear role division. Some individuals in the ring were listed in the files of other special operations.
The Drug Crime Investigation Police Department of the Ministry of Public Security coordinated with the Drug and Crime Prevention Department under the Border Guard Command, the Ministry of National Defense, and police units and localities to exchange information and agree to report to the Ministry of Public Security leadership to establish a special operation for focused action.
On January 14, 2026, the Drug Crime Investigation Police Department decided to establish Special Operation codenamed 126N; coordinating with the Drug and Crime Prevention Department under the Border Guard Command and units inside and outside the Public Security force, including A05, A06, A08, C08, K02; police of provinces and cities: Tay Ninh, Can Tho, Dong Thap, Vinh Long, An Giang, Ca Mau, Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, Lam Dong, Khanh Hoa, Nghe An; Task Force 3 for Drug Crime Prevention, Coast Guard; Border Guard of provinces and cities: Tay Ninh, Ho Chi Minh City, Vinh Long, Lam Dong; Anti-Smuggling Investigation Sub-Department, Customs Department; Regional Customs Sub-Department II and Regional Customs Sub-Department XIX to simultaneously apply professional measures to dismantle the drug trafficking and transportation ring.
The plan to crack the case was meticulously built, divided into multiple prongs. On April 15, 2026, police caught three main suspects red-handed at two locations, then forces simultaneously subdued and arrested other suspects in the ring across 11 provinces and cities, arresting 119 suspects, seizing 86.2 kg of synthetic drugs, 6,000 ecstasy pills, 19 heroin bricks, 112 packets of liquid ecstasy; 3 guns, 8 bullets, 10 cars; VND 2.7 billion and many related documents and exhibits.
This is the first drug special operation established and fought across multiple domestic and foreign locations, spanning 11 provinces and cities within the country with a large participating force (7 professional departments under the Ministry of Public Security, 11 provincial and city police, People's Procuracy at all levels, and Border Guard, Coast Guard, Customs forces).
The special operation board actively coordinated with units and localities to continue tracking, arresting suspects involved, and expanding the case, increasing the total number of suspects arrested in Phase 1 to 403 suspects; seizing 88.3 kg of synthetic drugs, 6,386 ecstasy pills, 19 heroin bricks, 416 packets of liquid ecstasy, 60 pods of electronic cigarettes containing prohibited substances, and 206 kg of N2O (laughing gas). Confiscated 7 guns, 35 bullets, 16 cars, 36 motorbikes, 229 mobile phones, and nearly VND 4.5 billion in cash along with many related documents.
The Investigation Police Agency initiated 45 criminal cases, prosecuted 230 defendants; administratively sanctioned 114 suspects; continuing to classify and consolidate documents for the remaining suspects for further processing.
The investigation and prosecution process was also separated according to the criminal activity branches of the suspects in the special operation.
This is a drug criminal organization with a closed and highly reckless nature. The suspects thoroughly exploited high technology, using encrypted anonymous communication applications and virtual bank accounts and e-wallets to operate remotely, breaking down transportation steps through many intermediary layers to erase traces and legalize money flows.
Their operational territory spanned many provinces and cities, fully exploiting rugged terrain in border areas, ready to use weapons to fight back fiercely when discovered and arrested.
On May 19, 2026, the Prime Minister sent a commendation letter to 9 units including: Drug Crime Investigation Police Department - Ministry of Public Security; Drug and Crime Prevention Department - Border Guard Command; Drug Crime Investigation and Prosecution Department - Supreme People's Procuracy; Police of provinces and cities: Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, Lam Dong, Tay Ninh, Vinh Long, Dong Thap.
The Ministry of Public Security leadership issued reward decisions for 35 collectives participating in the special operation fight, as timely encouragement and recognition of the intelligence, courage, and determination to attack crime to the end of the case-breaking forces.
The timely dismantling of the entire ring prevented a large amount of 'white death' from flooding major cities, preventing the formation of complicated drug hotspots. At the same time, it enhanced Vietnam's position and capacity in coordinating international cooperation against transnational crime in the new situation.
Speaking at the ceremony, on behalf of the Party Committee of the Central Public Security, the Ministry of Public Security leadership, Deputy Minister Nguyen Van Long acknowledged and praised the Special Operation Board and all collectives and individuals participating in the fight who successfully uncovered this transnational drug ring.
Deputy Minister Nguyen Van Long also assessed that from the results of the special operation, agencies and units need to evaluate and draw lessons on coordination between Ministry of Public Security units and localities and related agencies in special operation fights; lessons on exploiting information and expanding the case scope from collected documents; lessons on identifying illicit profits, assets of suspects; lessons on asset and account seizure.
At the same time, lessons must be drawn on coordination with People's Procuracy at all levels to prove crimes and money flows for experience in fighting other special operations.
Deputy Minister Nguyen Van Long also requested local police to advise the City Party Committee and Provincial Party Committee to promote drug prevention movements in June (action month on drugs), so that on June 27, all localities will simultaneously respond and implement this activity.
Major General Nguyen Thanh Binh, Director of the Drug Crime Investigation Police Department, Ministry of Public Security, sincerely thanked the close guidance of the Deputy Minister. The coordinating forces will concretize the Deputy Minister's instructions to continue promoting effectiveness in fighting subsequent special operations.
Phu Lu
