A large quantity of mini laughing gas balloons were discovered and seized by the police at a warehouse. (Photo: Provided by the police) |
On July 14, the Economic Police Department coordinated with the Police Department for Administrative Management of Social Order, Ho Chi Minh City Police and related units to dismantle a "laughing gas" trafficking ring led by Nguyen Truong Hoat (born in 2000, residing in Ho Chi Minh City), who organized a ring to illegally buy, sell, decant and distribute N2O "laughing gas" on a large scale.
Through professional work, the authorities conducted an administrative inspection of The Black Lounge business establishment (No. 208 Co Bac Street, Cau Ong Lanh Ward) and the N2O gas storage facility at 691/28 Tran Xuan Soan Street, Tan Hung Ward, owned by Nguyen Truong Hoat.
Through inspection, the authorities discovered illegal N2O gas trading activities at two locations, confiscating hundreds of gas cylinders of various types, rubber balloons, specialized decanting tools, and many exhibits related to serving laughing gas to customers for on-site use and distribution outside.
According to initial investigation results, from the beginning of 2025 until the time of discovery, Nguyen Truong Hoat was the ringleader, organizing a large-scale illegal trading, decanting and distribution of N2O gas (laughing gas) in Ho Chi Minh City.
N2O gas, a chemical banned for human use, was stored by Hoat at warehouses on Tran Xuan Soan Street (Tan Hung Ward) and distributed to The Black Lounge bar owned by Hoat (208 Co Bac, Cau Ong Lanh Ward), as well as retailed to outside customers.
Laughing gas (N2O) when inhaled into the body can stimulate the central nervous system, creating a feeling of excitement, hallucinations, loss of behavioral control, if abused can lead to suffocation, brain damage, and even death. Therefore, the use of this gas for recreational purposes is strictly prohibited by law.
Laughing gas trading activities are disguised as "Cocktails" in bar bills, with a professional service staff system, strictly assigned from filling, serving, serving customers to recording revenue.
This line also organizes wholesale and retail sales via social networks, has collaborators, and a closed delivery and collection system. From January 1, 2025 to present, the total amount of illegal profits from this activity is estimated to be up to hundreds of billions of VND.
On July 14, 2025, the Ho Chi Minh City Police Investigation Agency (Economic Police Department) issued a Decision to prosecute a criminal case, a Decision to prosecute the accused and an Arrest Warrant to detain 8 subjects, including Nguyen Truong Hoat (born in 2000); Hoang Van Chien (born in 1997); Tran Duc Nam (born in 1999), Mai Thi Trinh (born in 1990), Luu Dinh Dai (born in 2000), Nguyen Quoc Dung (born in 2001), Chau Manh Phat (born in 2002), Cao Truong An (born in 1999) and all residing in Ho Chi Minh City.
The above subjects were temporarily detained to investigate the act of "Trading in prohibited goods" according to the provisions of Article 190 of the 2015 Penal Code (amended and supplemented in 2017).
Ho Chi Minh City Police Investigation Agency is continuing to expand the investigation and pursue other related subjects in the ring, to strictly handle them according to the law./.
According to vietnamplus.vn
Source: https://huengaynay.vn/chinh-tri-xa-hoi/phap-luat-cuoc-song/thanh-pho-ho-chi-minh-pha-duong-day-buon-ban-khi-cuoi-len-toi-hang-tram-ty-dong-155665.html
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