Suspects and exhibits seized in the case. VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY – Police in HCM City have initiated prosecutions against multiple suspects linked to a large-scale network producing and trading equipment used for illegal drug consumption, after seizing more than 100,000 samples, tools and semi-finished products of various kinds.

The Criminal Investigation Police Agency of HCM City Police announced on the morning of June 22 that it had taken action against the network following an investigation that began with a routine inspection.

In early June 2026, Team Three of the Drug Crime Investigation Police Division, working with Bình Tân Ward Police, conducted an administrative inspection of a house on N.T.L Street. There, officers found Hồ Thị Bảo Nhi and Huỳnh Văn Thắng testing positive for methamphetamine. Authorities seized two drug packets, one glass pipe with drug residue, one lighter and ten unused glass pipes that had just been delivered.

Tracing the origin of the ten glass pipes led investigators to uncover signs of a large-scale system producing, trading and supplying drug-use tools. At the same time, Tân Định Ward Police detected a number of contacts showing signs of buying, selling and transporting glass pipes, glass bottles and related implements, which were connected to the same line of inquiry.

The investigation established that the suspects organised operations covering every stage – from raw material supply, production and processing to stockpiling, transportation and distribution. They exploited legitimate glassware and household goods businesses as cover to produce and sell large quantities of glass pipes, glass bongs, glass water pipes, precision scales, zip-lock bags, lighters and numerous other items used for illegal drug consumption.

To conceal their activities, the suspects used mobile phones, social media and delivery applications to conduct transactions and transport products.

Following simultaneous searches of multiple locations, authorities seized more than 100,000 samples, tools and semi-finished products. These included more than 14,000 finished glass pipes, nearly 2,000 glass bottles of various types, tens of thousands of glass tubes, and large quantities of precision scales, zip-lock bags, lighters, gas canisters, oxygen tanks, oxygen generators, blow-torch heads and numerous items of production equipment.

Investigators identified Đàm Thị Mai as the organiser of production and distribution activities. Multiple other suspects were involved in manufacturing, advertising, order-handling, transportation and sales.

The Criminal Investigation Police Agency has charged the relevant suspects with illegal buying and selling of narcotic substances and producing, stockpiling, transporting or buying and selling means and tools used for the illegal consumption of narcotic substances.

The case remains under investigation and is being expanded. – VNS