HO CHI MINH CITY – Police in Ho Chi Minh City have successfully dismantled a large-scale criminal network responsible for illegally supplying nitrous oxide (N2O), commonly known as "laughing gas," to bars, restaurants, and other nightlife venues across the city. The major bust resulted in the arrest of 31 individuals and exposed an operation that had generated over 105 billion Vietnamese Dong (approximately $4.2 million) in illicit profits.
The raid, a culmination of a lengthy investigation, targeted warehouses and distribution points used by the sophisticated ring to store and sell the gas. Authorities stated that the network operated as the primary supplier for a significant portion of the city's entertainment establishments, where laughing gas is sold to patrons who inhale it from balloons for a brief, euphoric high.
While nitrous oxide has legitimate industrial and medical uses, its recreational sale and distribution are strictly prohibited in Vietnam due to significant health risks. The Vietnamese Ministry of Health has repeatedly warned that inhaling N2O can lead to severe nerve damage, oxygen deprivation, heart problems, and even death.
This operation is part of a broader, ongoing crackdown by Vietnamese authorities against the illegal use and trade of laughing gas, which has seen a surge in popularity among young people in recent years. The scale of the profits uncovered in this case highlights the lucrative nature of this black market.
The 31 suspects are currently being held for investigation on charges related to the illegal production and trade of restricted goods. City officials have vowed to continue their campaign to eradicate the illicit laughing gas trade to protect public health and safety.
