The drugs police seized over the weekend when expanding investigation over the drug trafficking ring led by a Korean ex-police officer. — VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY — Police arrested 15 suspects and have seized 19 bricks of heroin and 120kg of various types of drugs in the last two days after searching 11 locations, including nine in HCM City and two others in the southern province of Đồng Nai.

Among the seized drugs, 75kg of methamphetamine was found at a storehouse in HCM City’s Bình Chánh District, while another 30kg of methamphetamine was found at a storehouse in Tân Bình District.

The crackdown is part of an expanded investigation into a transnational drug trafficking case involving South Korean, Chinese and Vietnamese suspects which police uncovered on July 19. 

On that day, when examining a container in HCM City’s Cát Lái Port, police found 40kg of methamphetamine hidden in granite blocks in the container. At the time of inspection, the container was set to be sterilised before being shipped to Incheon Port in South Korea.

Examining five locations in the city, authorities seized five suspects including two Chinese, two Koreans and one Vietnamese national. Of them, Kim Soon Sik, 50, a South Korean and a former police officer was believed to be in charge of the drug trafficking ring.

The drugs were intended to be sold in southern localities or exported.

Under Vietnamese law, those convicted of possessing or smuggling more than 600 grams of heroin or cocaine or more than 2.5kg of methamphetamine can face the death penalty.

The production or sale of 100 grams of heroin or 300grof any other illegal substance is also punishable by death. — VNS