90 Vietnamese Arrested in ‘Drug Party’ After Drinking Strange Coffee at Club

Eighteen Arrested for Smuggling, Distributing, and Using Drugs
at Vietnamese-Operated Entertainment Bars in Multiple Cities

Ninety Vietnamese nationals were arrested in large numbers for distributing and using drugs disguised as coffee and vitamins in South Korea. Among them, 18 were detained.

The Busan Metropolitan Police Agency announced on the 5th that from September to the end of December last year, they conducted a crackdown on club drug offenses, arresting Vietnamese individuals who distributed or used drugs at entertainment bars and clubs operated by Vietnamese in Sejong City, Cheonan, Asan, Jincheon, Daegu, and other locations.

A total of 90 people were arrested, including 7 drug importers, 8 sellers, 9 venue providers, and 66 users, with 18 of them detained. The imported drugs were valued at approximately 1.04 billion KRW, the sales amount of distributed drugs was about 710 million KRW, and the seized drugs were worth around 330 million KRW. Cryptocurrency was used for drug transaction payments.

90 Vietnamese Arrested in ‘Drug Party’ After Drinking Strange Coffee at Club

Ketamine disguised as coffee seized in Yeongam, Jeollanam-do, September 2024. / Photo by Busan Police Agency

Vitamin stomach narcotic ketamine seized in Jecheon, Chungbuk, August 2024. / Provided by Busan Metropolitan Police Agency

According to the police, the seven detained domestic importers are suspected of smuggling drugs (MDMA, ketamine) via international mail under the instructions of a mastermind in Vietnam through Telegram, then selling them to intermediate dealers using a "throwing" method or selling them via SNS to entertainment bar owners and hostesses.

During the arrest of the importers, the police seized 1.5 kg of synthetic marijuana, 139 ecstasy pills, and 48 grams of ketamine.

Eight hostesses at entertainment bars, detained on charges of selling drugs to customers, are suspected of providing and selling drugs to Vietnamese individuals who learned about the drugs through SNS or acquaintances, enabling drug use at entertainment bars.

The police executed search warrants at six entertainment bars and conducted on-site crackdowns, arresting nine owners (three detained) on charges of providing venues, and notified the relevant local governments for administrative action.

Sixty-six customers who used drugs at the entertainment bars were also booked for violating the Narcotics Control Act, and 33 undocumented Vietnamese were deported.

The police issued a red notice for the identified Vietnamese mastermind and, through evidence secured and digital analysis of suspects’ mobile phones, further identified and arrested additional intermediate dealers and buyers among the Vietnamese.

A representative of the Busan Metropolitan Police Agency’s Criminal Mobile Unit stated, “We will continue to crack down on drug distribution, venue provision, and group drug use activities targeting establishments such as clubs and entertainment bars frequently used by foreigners.”