Police in Ho Chi Minh City have arrested 65 individuals, including 10 foreign nationals, for allegedly operating a drug trafficking network that mixed the anesthetic etomidate into e-cigarette liquid, according to official reports on August 2, 2026.
The arrests followed a months-long investigation into a ring that produced and sold vaping products containing etomidate, a controlled substance in Vietnam. The foreign nationals, reportedly including Singaporeans, were part of the operation, which targeted young users in the city's nightlife scene.
Authorities seized a significant quantity of etomidate, e-cigarette devices, and cash during coordinated raids across the city. The suspects face charges of drug trafficking, which carries severe penalties in Vietnam, including life imprisonment or the death penalty.
This case highlights the growing concern over the use of etomidate as a recreational drug, often mixed into vape liquids to produce sedative effects. Vietnamese law enforcement has intensified efforts to combat drug-related crimes, especially those involving synthetic substances.
