Police in Phu Tho province have dismantled what is believed to be the largest transnational drug trafficking case ever uncovered in the area, with 29 suspects facing the death penalty.

On April 22, Phu Tho Provincial Police released official details on the case. After more than 10 months of investigation, the Investigation Police Agency has completed its report and transferred the case file to the provincial People’s Procuracy, recommending the prosecution of 73 defendants.

Among them, 29 individuals have been proposed for prosecution under Clause 4, Article 251 of the Penal Code, which carries the maximum penalty of death.

The case originated from a small-scale drug distribution point in Cam Khe district, led by Hoang Van Thu, 48 years old. Following leads from this operation, authorities uncovered a large-scale interprovincial and transnational drug network.

On June 3, 2024, a special task force was established under the direction of Colonel Nguyen Minh Tuan, Director of the Phu Tho Provincial Police Department.

Throughout the investigation, police seized a massive quantity of narcotics, including over 27 bricks of heroin, more than 278,000 methamphetamine tablets, hundreds of grams of crystal meth, nearly 7 kilograms of ketamine, and various other types of illegal drugs.

Authorities also confiscated five firearms, 20 bullets, numerous drug-manufacturing tools, and about 2 billion VND (approximately USD 79,000) in cash, which has since been frozen.

The successful dismantling of this operation not only prevented a large volume of drugs from entering the domestic market but also exposed and neutralized key links in a well-organized, transnational criminal network.

Duc Hoang