HO CHI MINH CITY, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam has cracked down a drug trafficking ring that provided synthetic drugs for bars and clubs in Ho Chi Minh City and other southern localities, seizing 15 kg of ketamine and 50,000 pills of ecstasy, Vietnam News Agency reported on Wednesday.
The Investigation Police Department on Drug-related Crimes under the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security, in collaboration with other agencies, last Sunday raided several bases of the ring, arresting the 34-year-old ringleader and three of his underlings.
The ring was reportedly transporting drugs from Laos to Vietnam and then selling them to bars and clubs in southern localities.
According to the Vietnamese law, those convicted of smuggling over 600 grams of heroin or more than 2.5 kg of methamphetamine are punishable by death. Making or trading 100 grams of heroin or 300 grams of other illegal drugs also faces death penalty.
