"Hot" war on drugs

(Baonghean) -Nghe An is identified as one of the key and complicated drug areas in the country because it has all four elements of production, smuggling, trafficking and use of large-scale drugs. Drug criminals not only organize sophisticated and cunning networks and gangs, but also organize the preparation of crystal meth right in the center of Vinh City.

In April 2012, the police force investigated and arrested Le Thanh Hai (40 years old, residing in Quang Trung Apartment Complex - Vinh City) while he was organizing the production of dozens of kilograms of crystal meth at home. Recently, on June 18, 2013, a reconnaissance team of Nghe An Provincial Police captured Hoang Van Yen and Hoang Van Phuc (residing in Thanh Long Commune, Thanh Chuong) while they were hiding at a relative's house in Dinh Quan District (Dong Nai). When searching the luggage of these two subjects, the police discovered 9 heroin cakes, 8 kilograms of crystal meth, 1 rubber bullet gun and some other related evidence. In particular, Yen is a drug "boss" with a wanted warrant because she fled right after Dang Thi Huong (40 years old), residing in Dong Vinh Ward, who was part of his network, was arrested by Vinh City Police on National Highway 46 with evidence of 710 grams of heroin that he had just received from him.

Previously, on the evening of April 29, 2013, Nam Can Border Guard Station controlled and arrested Chang Van Pin residing in the above area when he attempted to detonate a duckbill grenade when he was discovered carrying 8 grams of heroin. Half a month later, also in this area, the above unit continued to detect and arrest 3 foreigners when they were transporting 15 heroin cakes (about 5 kg) and 2,000 drug pills preparing to infiltrate Nghe An.

Nghe An Police's anti-drug force appraises evidence in the case of 4 cars transporting 60 heroin cakes (December 27, 2012). Photo: PV

Colonel Nguyen Huu Cau, Deputy Director of the Provincial Police, said: In the first 6 months of 2013, in Nghe An, nearly 400 drug cases and 460 related subjects were discovered and arrested by the authorities. Before that, in 2012, 811 drug cases and 1,143 related subjects were discovered and arrested; 37.8 kg of heroin, 18.1 kg of crystal meth, 58 kg of marijuana, 17,329 synthetic drug pills, 97.6 grams of ketamine and many other related exhibits were seized. From the above figures, it can be seen that the fight against drug criminals is increasingly fierce and heated. From 2001 to present, in the fight against drug crimes in the whole province, 15 police officers and soldiers were injured, 48 police officers and soldiers had to be treated for HIV exposure due to injuries caused by criminals.

Along with the destruction of major drug rings, the authorities organized raids and eliminated hundreds of drug retail points, especially in Vinh City, Cua Lo Town, Hoa Binh Town (Tuong Duong), Kim Son Town (Que Phong). The once complicated drug areas such as Hung Long (Hung Nguyen), My Thanh (Yen Thanh) were also cleaned up. However, because of the high profits, criminals continued to stockpile, transport, and trade illegal drugs like moths to a flame.

Compared to the fight against drug criminals, the issue of drug rehabilitation and post-rehabilitation employment is equally fierce and urgent. In the province, the authorities have counted over 5,200 addicts. However, this is only the number of addicts under management, the actual number of addicts must be much higher. This is also the basic factor stimulating the law of "supply and demand", making the drug situation more and more complicated. Although for many years, Nghe An has paid special attention to drug rehabilitation and post-rehabilitation employment. In 10 years, 8 drug rehabilitation centers across the province have treated over 17,000 people. However, the number of people who have successfully treated drug addiction is very small, only over 220 people have not relapsed after 3 years of treatment.

Viet Long