Drug users found at the 030-X8 bar on Nam Quốc Cang Street in HCM City at a local police station on July 24. — VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY — HCM City Police have launched criminal proceedings against a Vietnamese-American bar owner and 15 others on charges of "illegal possession of narcotics" and concealing their illegal use.

Lê Văn Tiến, 54, owner of the 030-X8 bar on Nam Quốc Cang Street in HCM City’s District 1, and 15 of his employees have been detained and charged with "concealing illegal use of narcotics" and "illegal possession of narcotic substances", vietnamplus.vn has reported.

This is the first time a bar owner in HCM City has been prosecuted for concealing drug use at his bar.

On July 24, dozens of police officers raided the bar and found nearly 300 people with signs of drug abuse.

Some tried to throw their drugs away and flee the bar but were stopped by police and taken to the police station for tests. Over 200 people were tested positive for banned substances.

Police also seized various kinds of drugs at the bar.

According to testimony from the bar's staff, Tiến knew that his employees sold drugs to customers but he did not prevent the behaviour and even told them to be discreet about such activities.

Tiến also acknowledged his behaviour, according to the police. — VNS