The Drug Crime Investigation Department (C04) of the Ministry of Public Security has dismantled the largest illegal drug production ring ever uncovered in Vietnam, seizing 1.4 tons of high-purity ketamine and nearly 80 tons of chemicals.

On March 26, C04 reported that it had coordinated with various units from the Ministry of Public Security to successfully crack down on the massive drug production operation.

Arrests and mastermind identification

Authorities arrested 11 suspects, including four Chinese nationals, three Taiwanese nationals, and four Vietnamese citizens.

The ringleader was identified as Truong Xuan Minh (51, Taiwanese). Minh entered Vietnam in 2021, posing as an investor and businessman involved in ornamental fish farming.

He lived as husband and wife with Pham Thi Le Han (30, from Khanh Hoa) and was supported by Doan Van Hung (42, also from Khanh Hoa).

Remote location to evade detection

In November 2024, Minh arranged to lease a 1,000-square-meter plot in a remote cemetery area in Vinh Luong Commune, Nha Trang City.

The secluded location, with difficult access and low traffic, made it ideal for avoiding surveillance. Minh set up a watch system, installed surveillance cameras, and kept guard dogs to detect intruders.

To store raw materials, chemicals, and equipment, Minh rented another 300-square-meter plot about three kilometers away.

After securing the land, Minh hired two Chinese and four Vietnamese workers to build the facility, install a three-phase power system, and set up production lines, including seven large reaction and cooling tanks, centrifuges, odor treatment machines, vacuum pumps, and water filtration systems.

By late January 2025, the workshop was completed, and the group began the first production phase, mixing chemicals in large reaction tanks and combining additives at controlled temperatures to initiate chemical reactions.

The initial product was around 1.8 tons of yellow powder, packed into 27 styrofoam containers and sent to a cold storage warehouse in Nha Trang. Minh then halted production temporarily, allowing workers to return home.

To disguise the operation, the group claimed to be producing foam additives for wastewater treatment. Shortly after, Minh recruited four new workers and hired two skilled Taiwanese chemists to continue with phase two of drug production.

The second phase involved industrial gas stoves, cooking the yellow powder with added solvents, filtering the mixture through cotton to form precipitate, and using centrifuges to extract pure white powder. The final step involved transferring the material to a workshop at 47 Cat Loi Street, Nha Trang, for the last phase of ketamine production.

Production took place mainly at night and early morning to avoid detection.

Swift crackdown and mass arrests

After assessing the situation and recognizing that the group was likely to cease operations and leave the country once production was completed, the investigation team decided to strike at the right moment.

At midnight on March 22, nearly 200 officers from C04, in coordination with the Khanh Hoa Provincial Police, the Criminal Science Institute, the Technical Department, the Provincial Customs Department, the Anti-Smuggling Department, and the Supreme People's Procuracy, launched a coordinated raid.

Evidence seized

At the main production site: 118 kg of finished ketamine, 160 liters of ketamine solution, 17 tons of chemicals, and complete drug production equipment.

At the workshop at 47 Cat Loi Street: 90 kg of ketamine, 270 liters of ketamine solution, and additional production equipment.

At the warehouse in Vinh Phuong Commune: 57 tons of chemicals and 380 liters of gas.

A total of 16 individuals involved in the criminal organization were detained for further investigation and classification.

Dinh Hieu