33 defendants on trial for drug offenses at Vietnam bar

Thirty-three individuals are facing trial in Vietnam for their alleged involvement in drug-related offenses at the Paris Night bar, a popular entertainment venue in Phan Thiet city, Binh Thuan province. The charges include facilitating illegal drug use, illegal possession of narcotics, and organizing illegal drug use.

According to the indictment from the People's Procuracy of Region 10, Mạnh Trọng Toản, the owner of Paris Night bar, along with several managers and staff, are accused of permitting customers to use drugs over an extended period. This was allegedly done to sustain business operations and boost profits.

The prosecution detailed that before the raid on May 1, 2025, Toản held regular meetings with managers Trần Mạnh Anh and Phạm Hoàng Minh. During these meetings, they were aware of customers using drugs at the establishment but agreed not to intervene directly. Instead, they opted for discreet reminders to avoid disrupting business. Staff were instructed not to expel customers or report them to authorities if drug use occurred discreetly.

This directive, passed down to team leaders, service staff, and security personnel, is identified as the primary reason for the persistent drug use at the Paris Night bar. During the surprise inspection on the night of May 1, 2025, police found multiple groups of customers using illegal drugs in VIP areas. The investigation led to the indictment of 15 defendants for facilitating drug use, four for illegal possession, and 18 for organizing drug use. Prosecutors stated that these actions endangered society, violated state drug management regulations, and disrupted local security and order.