Vietnam Tries 227 Defendants in Case of Flight Attendants Used to Smuggle Drugs

Ho Chi Minh City's People's Court is presiding over a massive trial involving 227 defendants in connection with a significant drug trafficking operation. The case, designated as special case VN10, includes notable figures such as singer Chi Dân, model An Tây (Andrea Aybar Carmona), and charity worker Trúc Phương, who are being tried alongside numerous others.

The core of the investigation revolves around allegations that four female flight attendants were manipulated into carrying illegal narcotics from France to Vietnam. These drugs, totaling approximately 2,973.37 grams of Ketamine and 8,312 grams of MDMA, were discovered concealed within 327 toothpaste tubes in their checked luggage. The discovery was made by customs officials at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in March 2023.

Among the defendants facing charges are those accused of organizing drug use, illegal possession, trafficking, and concealing criminal activity. Notably, four individuals are being tried in absentia as they are currently fugitives. The trial is being conducted both in person at the courthouse and via online connections for defendants held at the Chí Hòa Remand Center.

The investigation, initiated after the customs discovery, led to the establishment of the VN10 special case to dismantle the drug ring and apprehend all involved parties. The extensive list of charges reflects the complexity and scale of the operation, highlighting the efforts of Vietnamese authorities to combat international drug trafficking.