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Vietnam Charges 227 in Major Drug Bust Linked to Flight Attendants

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Photo courtesy of Vietnam News

Prosecutors in Hồ Chí Minh City have brought charges against 227 individuals in a significant drug trafficking case involving Vietnam Airlines flight attendants. This follows the March 2023 discovery of narcotics hidden in luggage at Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport. The case has been transferred to the HCM City People’s Court, marking a significant step in what authorities describe as a transnational drug network investigation.

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The investigation began on March 16, 2023, when suspicious items were found in the checked baggage of four flight attendants arriving from France. Customs officials identified that 157 out of 327 toothpaste tubes contained over 10 kilograms of drugs, including ketamine and MDMA. This triggered a large-scale probe named the VN10 case, uncovering a sophisticated smuggling operation using consumer goods as concealment.

Central figures in the case include Hoàng Sỹ Thắng and Hà Danh Nậm, with accusations ranging from drug trafficking to the use of forged documents. The drugs, initially sent from France in concealed packages, were allegedly distributed throughout Hồ Chí Minh City and Bình Dương Province. The four flight attendants involved, unaware of the contents, were cleared of wrongdoing and released shortly after their detention.

Authorities continue to search for four suspects still at large. In the meantime, those charged await trial as experts discuss the broader implications for international trafficking operations. The trial is set to shed more light on the network’s operations and potentially influence regional drug enforcement strategies.

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image.png  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Vietnam News · 02 Apr 2026

Maybe start checking pilots' carry-on and luggage if any.

"Customs officials identified that 157 out of 327 toothpaste tubes contained over 10 kilograms of drugs, including ketamine and MDMA."

"The four flight attendants involved, unaware of the contents, were cleared of wrongdoing and released shortly after their detention."

I wonder if those four are now amongst the 227 that have been charged.

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