Increasingly sophisticated methods are being used to conceal drugs, with substances now blended and packaged as popular foods and drinks like candy, milk tea, and e-cigarettes, making detection challenging for authorities.

A representative from the Drug Crime Investigation Department (C04) of the Ministry of Public Security noted that these “disguised” drugs are harder to identify than traditional narcotics. Identification often relies on coded names, such as “Happy Water,” “Lazy Candy,” and “Pod Chill.”

Another key identifier is packaging, as these products often have colorful, varied packaging with unique symbols, like a horse or cannabis leaf, and usually lack clear origin labels.

C04 provided an example: methamphetamine-based drugs, often known as “pink pills” or “crystal meth,” are frequently disguised as drinks like tea or coffee, typically consumed in settings with intense sound and lighting to enhance effects. Synthetic cannabis is often hidden in products like candy or e-cigarettes, while mixed drugs, such as ecstasy, ketamine, and methamphetamine, appear as “Happy Water.”

In recent developments, drugs hidden in e-cigarettes have emerged. This method poses a high risk of addiction, with some individuals becoming addicted after a single use, depending on their physical condition, psychological state, genetics, and social environment.

The Ministry of Public Security has worked with relevant agencies to advise the government on updating the list of controlled substances and precursors in Decree No. 57/2022/ND-CP, providing a legal framework for addressing these new drug types and protecting public health.

C04 recommends that the public remain vigilant and familiar with the latest drug forms to avoid accidental exposure. Authorities frequently publish information to help identify and prevent these products, and citizens are encouraged to stay informed.

Looking ahead, C04 will implement a range of strategies to prevent the entry of these new drug types into Vietnam. These measures include raising public awareness, partnering with authorities to intensify inspections of suspicious products, and monitoring emerging drug trends.

Several recent cases highlight the evolving nature of drug smuggling tactics. Examples include: cannabis-infused candies sold online in Hanoi (busted in December 2019), “mango juice” containing drugs in Ho Chi Minh City (October 2020), a group of students in Quang Ninh hospitalized after consuming drug-laced candy (October 2021), and drug-infused chocolate in Dong Anh, Hanoi (June 2022).

Dinh Hieu