Drug lord has plastic surgery, escapes arrest

Do Thanh Nam has two special dangerous wanted notices from Quang Ninh Police and Hanoi Police. He was recently arrested by the Drug Crime Investigation Police Department (C47 - Ministry of Public Security) while hiding in a motel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Nam is considered a cunning person. He had plastic surgery to change his identity, made fake ID cards, and moved to many provinces and cities to avoid being caught by the police.

"He never appears in one place for long, but appears and disappears, his whereabouts are very mysterious," said a C47 officer.

The 30-year-old man, from Son La, is the main suspect in the largest drug crime prevention case in history established by Quang Ninh Provincial Police in 2012. This criminal ring is led by Nguyen Bich Ngoc.

The investigation agency prosecuted 147 defendants in 10 provinces and cities, seized 112 heroin cakes, 115,000 synthetic drug pills and 1.28 kg of crystal meth. The amount of money and assets seized amounted to more than 20 billion VND. The investigation results determined that the defendants had traded and transported more than 32,000 heroin cakes, 500,000 drug pills, 40 kg of crystal meth...

When Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc and her accomplices were arrested, Nam quickly escaped and was issued a wanted notice on October 3, 2012. However, during this time, he continued to connect and lead a drug trafficking ring from Son La to Hanoi and then to Cao Bang for consumption.

In September 2017, Hanoi City Police dismantled this ring, arrested 3 people, seized 15 heroin bricks, a gun, 7 bullets and a grenade. Nam escaped again and was wanted on October 5, 2017.

"Nam only stood behind and directed the operation of the network, never revealing his face. He also used many different names, with many fake ID cards to operate the transaction with the purpose of misleading and causing difficulties for the police force," said C47 detective.

After a period of searching, the detectives determined that Nam was hiding in Can Tho City. However, when they arrived, Nam had already fled to Hau Giang. When the detectives arrived in Hau Giang, he quickly went to Ho Chi Minh City.

After 24 hours of searching all areas where Nam was suspected of hiding, the task force finally determined that he was staying at a motel in District 5. "He used a fake ID card to rent a room and cut off all contact with the outside world. Food or any information was exchanged through a trusted motorbike taxi driver of his lover," the detective said.

After many efforts, on January 16, Department 6 of Department C47 coordinated with professional units to arrest Do Thanh Nam while he was trying to escape abroad.

"At that time, he was surprised so he didn't have time to react. The subject also admitted that he was Do Thanh Nam and admitted to his illegal drug trafficking," the detective said.

The case is being further investigated by Quang Ninh Provincial Police.