Vietnam indicts 227 in $1.1B drug network that used flight attendants

Ho Chi Minh City prosecutors have officially indicted 227 individuals in what is being described as one of the largest and most sophisticated drug trafficking cases in Vietnamese history. The massive criminal network, allegedly led by ringleader Hoang Sy Thang, is accused of moving narcotics valued at nearly VND 29 trillion ($1.1 billion) through approximately 500 branches across the country.

The sprawling investigation began with a high-profile incident on March 16, 2023, at Tan Son Nhat International Airport. Customs officers discovered drugs concealed within toothpaste tubes inside the luggage of four Vietnam Airlines flight attendants arriving from Paris. While the attendants were ultimately cleared of wrongdoing—as evidence showed they were unaware of the illicit contents—the discovery allowed investigators to trace the supply chain back to Thang in Dong Nai Province.

As the probe expanded, it snared several high-profile public figures, drawing intense national attention. Among those facing charges are:

Chi Dan (Nguyen Trung Hieu): A popular singer, along with his brother, charged with organizing illegal drug use.

An Tay (Andrea Aybar Carmona): A Spanish-national model, facing charges for both possession and organizing illegal drug use.

Nguyen Do Truc Phuong: A social media influencer previously known as the "charity fairy," now charged with organizing illegal drug use.

Authorities have seized nearly 600 kg of narcotics, along with an arsenal of 12 firearms, 67 rounds of ammunition, and three grenades. The Ho Chi Minh City People's Procuracy characterized the operation as an "exceptionally serious" organized crime ring that utilized encrypted online platforms and complex electronic transactions to manage cross-border logistics and evade detection.

The legal fallout from this network has been immense, leading to more than 2,000 arrests nationwide. The 227 indicted defendants face a wide spectrum of charges, ranging from drug trafficking and possession to the use of forged documents and harboring criminals. With the final investigation conclusions now complete, the case file has been transferred to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Court for trial, including four fugitives who will be tried in absentia.