The operation led to the arrest of 44-year-old Dang Thanh Tuan, identified as the leader of the gang, on suspicion of illegal drug trafficking. Pham Van Tien, 36, along with five other accomplices, were also detained.

Dang Thanh Tuan (L) and Pham Van Tien at a police station in Tay Ninh province, November 16, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Ha Thuy

Police had previously uncovered a major drug trafficking route that ran from Cambodia to Vietnam. In response, they collaborated with the Ministry of Public Security’s Drug Crime Investigation Division to form a specialized unit tasked with dismantling the network.

Following the surveillance, police officers, divided into five groups, surrounded and searched a place on Road Number 9 in Hiep Long District of Hoa Thanh City in Tay Ninh. They caught Tuan and Tien while they were caught unloading drugs from a car.

The seizure included military firearms, 11 bullets and two cars. Authorities continued operations at several other locations following the raid, resulting in the arrest of the five accomplices.

Police examine and seize evidence from a drug trafficking operation in Tay Ninh province on November 16, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Ha Thuy

Investigations revealed that in July, Tuan and Tien connected with an unknown person in Cambodia via Telegram, who contracted them to transport drugs from the Cambodia-Vietnam border to various locations in Vietnam, paying US$800 per kilogram for the shipments from 20 to 40 kilograms. .

After receiving the drugs, the two would drive them to Tay Ninh’s Tan Chau district, where the narcotics were divided into packages ranging from one to five kilograms. These were then distributed by shippers to Ho Chi Minh City and the neighboring provinces of Dong Nai and Binh Duong, among others.

During these operations, Tien and Tuan employed several people to guard the transports, arming them with military firearms for protection.

The investigation into this case continues to expand.

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