Lieutenant Lê Hồng Nam, Director of the HCMC Police Department at the review conference. — Photo courtesy of HCMC Police Department.

HCM CITY — In April alone, more than 200 drug-related criminal cases were investigated and concluded by police in Hồ Chí Minh City.

Out of the 217 cases, a total of 467 people were apprehended, and more than 67 kilograms of illegal substances were seized.

On Thursday, the HCMC Police Department released a report detailing their work during the past month

In addition to the cases of drug trafficking, a total of 308 cases of social disorder were recorded, resulting in the deaths of six people, injuries to twelve others, and damage of approximately VNĐ3.2 billion (US$136,000).

Police also investigated 199 cases involving economic mismanagement, corruption, and smuggling with around VNĐ5.53 billion (US$235,700) worth of assets seized.

High-tech crimes remain complicated with instances of fraud and misappropriation of assets, illicit lending and debt collection through apps, and online gambling.

HCMC Police have been instructed to intensify inspections, combat, and deal with crimes involving loan sharks and "rent collection" disguised as financial consulting and legal advisory firms.

Over 12,500 cases of alcohol concentration violations were also investigated and resolved. Police discovered and handled two incidents of illicit racing and disorderly conduct on public roads, detaining 69 individuals and seizing 52 motorcycles.

Lieutenant General Lê Hồng Nam, Director of the HCMC Police Department, requested that police units and localities cooperate more closely in inspecting and addressing drug-related crimes, environmental crimes, corruption, economic crimes, contraband, and high-tech crimes.

HCMC Police will continue to inspect "car modification shops," suspected of modifying automobiles, and facilities that produce and trade car modification parts and components.— VNS