Vietnamese police have dismantled a major cross-border drug syndicate allegedly responsible for producing and distributing drug-laced electronic cigarettes, arresting 65 suspects including four Singaporeans, four Malaysians and two Taiwanese nationals.
Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City said the operation targeted a network involved in manufacturing and selling vape cartridges infused with Etomidate, an anaesthetic drug that has recently been classified as a narcotic in Vietnam.
Investigators believe the foreign suspects played key roles in the syndicate, with two men identified as the alleged masterminds behind the operation.
Singaporean and Malaysian Suspects Allegedly Led Operation
According to Ho Chi Minh City Police, 30-year-old Malaysian national Hoo Jia How and 30-year-old Singaporean Melvin Tan Junjie have been identified as the principal organisers of the syndicate.
The investigation began earlier in July after officers detected suspicious activity linked to the illegal production of so-called “pod chill” vape cartridges. Following weeks of surveillance, police raided a rented house along Cong Quynh Street in Ho Chi Minh City, where both suspects were arrested.
During the raid, officers seized 1,331 vape cartridges along with 140ml of Etomidate-infused vape liquid believed to have been used to manufacture the illegal products.
Police later arrested another Singaporean, Oh Jang Fong, who is accused of supplying the Etomidate liquid to the group.
Investigators allege that Hoo and Melvin received the drug-laced liquid from Oh before injecting it into vape cartridges inside the rented property. The finished products were then distributed to customers across Vietnam, including both locals and foreign nationals. Authorities believe some buyers subsequently resold the cartridges or organised gatherings where the products were consumed.
Additional Distribution Network Dismantled
As investigations expanded, police uncovered two additional distribution cells allegedly operated by Le Ton Nu Diem Thuy, 23, and Tran Dinh Canh, 24.
Combined, officers seized nearly 2,000 drug-laced vape cartridges together with the remaining Etomidate solution.
All 65 suspects are currently being investigated over their alleged involvement in the illegal production and distribution network.
Authorities Warn of Misleading Marketing
Vietnamese police warned that vape cartridges containing Etomidate have often been promoted using misleading claims such as “won’t show up on drug tests” or “it’s not a drug”, giving users a false sense of safety.
However, authorities stressed that the substance poses significant health risks.
Etomidate is an anaesthetic medication normally used in medical settings to induce unconsciousness during certain procedures. Vietnam officially added the substance to its list of controlled narcotics on 19 January, making its unauthorised possession, manufacture and distribution illegal.
When inhaled through an electronic cigarette, Etomidate is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream and affects the brain. Users may initially experience feelings of relaxation or mild euphoria before developing drowsiness, reduced awareness, slower reflexes, dizziness, slurred speech and impaired coordination.
In more serious cases, exposure may result in confusion, seizures, respiratory depression, dangerously low blood pressure, loss of consciousness or even death.
Vietnamese authorities said investigations into the syndicate remain ongoing as they work to identify additional individuals connected to the distribution network.