On July 23, the Ho Chi Minh City Police Department of Criminal Investigation (PC02) announced that it is expanding its probe into a drug ring involving the sale, possession, and use of illegal narcotics. Among the individuals arrested is 47-year-old Nguyen Cong Tri, a celebrated designer with a significant public profile.

Earlier, on June 12, officers from the PC02, in coordination with Tan Hoa Ward police, conducted an unannounced search of a residence on Lac Long Quan Street. They apprehended Nguyen Quoc Trung, 34, in possession of marijuana and cocaine.

According to police, Trung admitted to dealing marijuana and cocaine through messaging apps such as Telegram and Signal. Transactions were processed via various bank accounts.

Authorities subsequently arrested additional suspects linked to the ring, including individuals involved in drug delivery and resale operations. Notably, Tran Phu Long (36) and Nguyen Cong Tri were both found to be in possession of and involved in the organized use of narcotics.

When searching the residences of Long and Tri, police discovered paraphernalia believed to be used for drug consumption, including porcelain dishes, rolled-up banknotes, and plastic cards. Both suspects confessed to regularly purchasing drugs for personal use.

Nguyen Cong Tri is widely recognized as one of Vietnam’s most influential fashion designers, known for his high-end creations and collaborations with local celebrities and international artists. His arrest has sent shockwaves through the Vietnamese fashion and entertainment industries.