On May 18, Thanh Hoa police announced they had dismantled a sophisticated and extensive network specializing in the production and sale of prohibited substances, specifically nitrous oxide. The operation spanned multiple provinces and cities, including Hanoi, Hai Phong, Bac Giang, Vinh Phuc, Hoa Binh, Phu Tho, and Bac Ninh, and involved complex, covert methods.

The provincial police had launched a special operation focused on dismantling the ring, deploying forces and professional tactics.

At approximately 1:00 a.m. on May 2, at H2 Lounge in But Son Town, Hoang Hoa District, the Drug Crime Investigation Police Department, in coordination with the Police Department of Administrative Management of Social Order and local But Son police, conducted a routine inspection of four individuals with permanent addresses in Hanoi. All four tested positive for narcotics. A search of their residence uncovered a 2.2 kg N2O cylinder and various drug-related items.

Continuing their investigation, Thanh Hoa police worked with the Ministry of Public Security’s professional departments, the Hanoi Police Drug Crime Investigation Department, and Vinh Phuc Provincial Police to arrest Nguyen Phuong Tay (born 1985), residing in Phu Xuan Commune, Binh Xuyen District, Vinh Phuc. Authorities confiscated 12 bags of crystal meth, 10 bags of ketamine, around 500 meth tablets, 120 ecstasy pills, one bag of heroin, and five containers of liquid narcotics.

At an apartment in Quang Trung Ward, Ha Dong District, Hanoi, authorities found five individuals suspected of organizing illegal drug use. They seized 20 ecstasy pills, 10 bags of ketamine, and a complete set of drug use paraphernalia.

Thanh Hoa police also collaborated with police in Hanoi, Hai Phong, and relevant localities to conduct a coordinated raid on three rented factories used by the suspects to manufacture N2O.

Authorities seized the entire system of machinery and bottling equipment used to produce N2O, along with 177 metal cylinders containing compressed nitrous oxide, each holding about 30 kg (totaling approximately 5.25 tons), 27 empty cylinders, about 130 kg of raw materials, and various documents detailing production volumes and machine operation procedures.

A warehouse located about 500 meters from the production site held roughly 12 tons of additional raw materials for laughing gas production.

The operation was managed by Luong Thai Linh, with co-investors Nguyen Ngoc Binh (born 1992) of Bich Hoa Commune, Thanh Oai District, Hanoi, and To The Minh Tri (born 1993) of Dong Van Commune, Yen Lac District, Vinh Phuc. The trio pooled resources to purchase equipment, machinery, and materials to produce the gas independently.

To date, Thanh Hoa police have filed criminal charges, arrested, and placed 11 suspects in temporary detention to investigate alleged offenses including “organizing illegal drug use,” “illicit drug trading,” and “producing and trading banned goods.”

Le Duong