Vietnam arrests 65 in drug ring using laced vape pods, including 10 foreigners

Police in Vietnam have arrested 65 individuals, including ten foreign nationals, for their alleged involvement in a drug trafficking network. The group is accused of injecting narcotic-laced e-liquid into e-cigarette pods before distributing them to customers.

Among the arrested are four Singaporeans, four Malaysians, and two Taiwanese. Authorities identified Singaporean Melvin Tan Junjie, 30, and Malaysian national Hoo Jia How, 30, as alleged ringleaders of the operation. Another Singaporean, Oh Jang Fong, was arrested for allegedly supplying the etomidate liquid used to fill the cartridges.

The investigation began in early July after police detected suspicious activity. Following surveillance, officers raided a rented house in Ho Chi Minh City, seizing 1,331 e-cigarette cartridges and 140ml of etomidate-infused liquid. Further raids led to the dismantling of two additional distribution networks.

Etomidate, commonly used as a medical anesthetic, has seen increasing abuse through its incorporation into e-cigarette liquid. Vietnam classified it as a narcotic earlier this year. When inhaled, the substance rapidly affects the brain, causing extreme drowsiness, impaired awareness, dizziness, and slurred speech. In severe cases, it can be fatal. Authorities allege the group sold these pods to both Vietnamese and foreign customers, some of whom reportedly resold them or organized drug use.

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Police in Vietnam have arrested 65 people, including ten foreign nationals, for allegedly operating a drug trafficking network that injected narcotic-laced e-liquid into e-cigarette pods and sold products to customers.