Crystal meth: SOS!

(Baonghean)Methamphetamine—an extremely potent synthetic drug—has become a deadly pastime for young people in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City for the past 3-4 years and is spreading to other provinces and cities, including Nghe An, causing countless negative consequences for the community and society.

Identifying methamphetamine ("crystal meth")

According to documents from the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department of the Nghe An Provincial Police (PC47), methamphetamine ("crystal meth") is a synthetic drug containing methamphetamine and amphetamine, a complex mixture of natural ingredients and various chemicals. It's called "crystal meth" by users because its appearance resembles crystal – a crystalline substance that forms into tiny fragments, similar to MSG (monosodium glutamate). Besides this common form, crystal meth is also illegally sold on the market in various forms such as lumps, powder, and tablets. Compared to the "white storm" (heroin) of the 1990s, the destructive power of the current "crystal meth storm" is far more devastating.

According to statistics from law enforcement agencies, those caught using synthetic drugs in motels and karaoke bars in the city share a common characteristic: they are all very young, mainly belonging to the "9X" generation and the late "8X" generation. Based on reality and research data, up to 72% of synthetic drug users are young people aged 18-30, those over 30 account for 26%, and those under 18 account for 2%, but this percentage is increasing.

Recently, partygoers in Vinh City and surrounding areas have developed a new trend of going to nightclubs or renting karaoke bars for wild parties. This is aided by businesses that readily disregard legal regulations, such as operating beyond permitted hours, using excessive noise and lighting, and providing the best possible conditions to satisfy these partygoers. This situation is causing headaches and challenges for authorities. From the end of 2011 to the present, law enforcement agencies in our province have raided numerous bars, nightclubs, and karaoke establishments, arresting many individuals involved in these illicit activities.

"Partygoers" arrested at Avatar nightclub and evidence seized in the case.

At 2:00 AM on October 25, 2011, the Nghe An Provincial Police suddenly raided the Avatar nightclub and karaoke establishment at 28 Nguyen Sy Sach Street, Vinh City. When the police forces stormed the rooms, the young people were still wildly dancing to the music and using drugs. The floor was littered with empty beer bottles, cigarette butts, and methamphetamine paraphernalia. When the music suddenly stopped and the lights came on, 43 individuals (including 16 women) were still bewildered, unaware of what had happened. Authorities seized 17 synthetic drug pills, 2 packets of methamphetamine, and 2 sets of methamphetamine paraphernalia.

On the afternoon of April 8th, Vinh City Police raided a karaoke bar on Ngu Hai Street, Le Mao Ward. Amidst the pulsating music, 10 young men and women, high on drugs, were arrested. At the scene, authorities seized methamphetamine paraphernalia, several laptops, and a mini speaker system. Just three days later, at 2:00 AM on April 11th, while patrolling Block 2, Yen Thanh Town, the economic and drug crime investigation force of Yen Thanh District Police raided the Chieu Tim coffee shop, catching five individuals red-handed using methamphetamine. They seized one pipe (used to hold methamphetamine), one curved glass tube, two plastic pipes, one blowtorch made from a mini gas cylinder, two motorbikes, and six mobile phones... A "methamphetamine user" (slang for methamphetamine users) from the late 80s generation recounted: "After smoking for about 10 minutes, I was already 'high.' At that time, I saw a warm pot of water and thought it was...a hand, so I immediately grabbed it to fondle it. Looking at motorbikes on the road, I thought it was...a girl, and I wanted to jump out and hug her right away, it felt so good!." Indeed, methamphetamine has become incredibly dangerous as it directly and extremely toxically affects the nervous system. This is human behavior. It's even more dangerous when, for profit, traffickers mix methamphetamine and... urea fertilizer in a "7 parts methamphetamine to 3 parts fertilizer" ratio to get a stronger "high" and higher illicit profits.

Combating synthetic drugs - challenges

In response to this situation, the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department of the Nghe An Provincial Police (PC47) has repeatedly coordinated with other functional forces to conduct ambushes, raids, and dismantle numerous locations involved in the production, transportation, and use of drugs.

On the afternoon of March 30th, after a long period of surveillance, the Nghe An Provincial Police and the Vinh City Police decided to crack down on Special Case 312M, dismantling a methamphetamine production facility that had brazenly sprung up in the heart of Vinh City. Four teams of investigators simultaneously raided four different locations: apartment building B3 (rooms 113 and 114); house number 1, alley number 1, Nguyen Canh Chan Street, Quang Trung Ward; house number 98 - Van Duc Giai Street, Hung Binh Ward; and in the new urban area of ​​Vinh Tan Ward, arresting Le Thanh Hai (born in 1971), Tang Thi Lan Phuong (born in 1974 - Hai's lover), Le Thanh Minh (born in 1940 - Hai's father), and Tran Thi Nga (born in 1940 - Hai's mother). Authorities seized 1,200 grams of processed methamphetamine, 23 plastic containers (10-liter and 20-liter) containing various solutions, chemicals, and precursors used in methamphetamine production, including 8 containers of semi-finished methamphetamine solutions; and numerous tools and equipment used in methamphetamine production such as funnels, filters, electric stoves, dryers, and dozens of bottles of chemicals and pharmaceuticals used in methamphetamine production. This is the largest-scale methamphetamine production ring ever uncovered in Vinh City by the Nghe An police.

Previously, at 10:30 PM on December 23, 2011, at the Phuong Nam Hotel in Hamlet 4, Da Son Commune, Do Luong District, the PC47 Department, in coordination with Department 2 of the C47 Bureau, dismantled Special Case 212H, breaking up a drug trafficking ring transporting methamphetamine from Laos for consumption in Nghe An and other northern provinces. The suspect caught red-handed was Vo Van Hoa (born in 1975), residing in Block 10, Do Luong Town. Evidence seized included 3.918 kg of methamphetamine. A search of Hoa's residence uncovered an additional 8g of methamphetamine, a methamphetamine paraphernalia kit, and a safe containing 1.121 kg of heroin.

Most recently, at 4:00 AM on April 19th, the PC47 Department, in coordination with the Le Loi Ward Police and Doi Cung Ward Police, cracked case 512K, apprehending Phan Duy Ngan (born in 1968), residing in Block 10, Quang Trung Ward, and seizing 1.1 kg of ecstasy (3,755 pills), 96.6g of ketamine, 87.8g of methamphetamine, and 35.3g of marijuana. Further investigation led to the arrest of Huynh Ba Ly (born in 1969), residing in Block 7, C3, Quang Trung Ward, Vinh City. This is a drug trafficking ring transporting drugs from abroad to Nghe An and is linked to many localities nationwide. Initially, Huynh Ba Ly and Phan Duy Ngan confessed to their crimes.

Lieutenant Colonel Le Danh Tuy, Head of the Staff Team, Narcotics Crime Investigation Department of Nghe An Provincial Police, stated: "From the case of Le Thanh Hai using pharmaceuticals and precursors to manufacture methamphetamine, a question arises: where did he obtain these drugs from? We want to establish an inter-agency inspection committee to ensure unified and decisive action, to investigate the origin of these pharmaceuticals and precursors in order to have a long-term control plan. It can be said that the management of nightclubs, bars, karaoke establishments, hotels, and guesthouses in Vinh City still has certain limitations, leading to situations where many individuals gather to use drugs and engage in debauchery. We propose that in the coming time, the province needs to have strong policies to effectively manage the system of bars and nightclubs... while also strengthening the management of individuals after drug rehabilitation, helping them find jobs and stay away from drugs and social vices. Only then will the fight against drug crime in the province yield results." "Possible."

From being merely a market for the consumption of narcotics, Nghe An has now seen the emergence of large-scale synthetic drug manufacturing facilities, with individuals involved in these cases exhibiting dangerous, defiant, and lawless behavior. The fight against drug crime in Nghe An is facing significant challenges, requiring the concerted efforts not only of law enforcement agencies but also the active participation and reporting of crime by all citizens.

Tran Hai - Vo Dung