Police in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, have arrested 65 people, including ten foreign nationals, for allegedly running a drug trafficking network that injected narcotic-laced e-liquid into e-cigarette pods and sold them to customers.

Among the suspects are four Singaporeans, four Malaysians, and two Taiwanese, according to a statement from the Ho Chi Minh City Police Department’s Drug Crime Investigation Division on Saturday, August 1, 2026. Singaporean Melvin Tan Junjie, 30, and Malaysian Hoo Jia How, 30, were identified as alleged ringleaders.

Investigations began in early July after authorities detected signs of the operation. Following weeks of surveillance, police raided a rented house in Cau Ong Lanh ward, arresting Tan and Hoo and seizing 1,331 e-cigarette cartridges along with 140ml of etomidate-infused liquid.

Another Singaporean, Oh Jang Fong, accused of supplying the etomidate liquid used to fill the cartridges, was also arrested. Further raids dismantled two additional distribution networks, bringing the total arrests to 65.

Users of the drug-laced vape products have reported effects including major drowsiness, impaired awareness, dizziness, slurred and slowed speech, and difficulty walking. Authorities allege the group injected the narcotic into e-cigarette pods before distributing the products through local dealers.

CNA has reached out to the Singapore Police Force and Ministry of Foreign Affairs for comment.

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