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The detainees are under investigation for "organizing illegal drug use", "illegal drug trading", and "facilitating illegal drug use," the Drug Crime Investigation Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security said Tuesday.
Phuong Lam, located on Go Dau Street in Tan Phu District, has been operational since 2006.
It features an audio and lighting system worth nearly VND50 billion (US$1.97 million), police said, and normally stays open until 4 a.m.
Every night, the bar hosts DJ and dance performances, and its menu includes shisha and laughing gas.
According to the Drug Crime Investigation Police, the bar staff even sold drugs to customers openly, which led to an increasing number of patrons.
The venue accommodates 51 tables and serves hundreds of visitors daily, with up to 600 visits at peak times.
Police had inspected the bar 19 times, but it had only received administrative fines. Therefore, the Drug Crime Investigation Police assessed that there were signs of lax management and irresponsibility at the grassroots level of law enforcement.
After gathering enough evidence, the Drug Crime Investigation Police initiated an operation to eliminate this drug hotspot.
Police bust Phuong Lam bar in HCMC's Tan Phu District on Jan. 21, 2024. Video by HCMC police
In the early hours of Jan. 21, 250 officers from the Drug Crime Investigation Police busted the bar unexpectedly.
At that time, there were over 200 customers inside, with drugs and drug paraphernalia found at 25 tables.
Police seized 24 samples of drugs that guests had not yet consumed and were disposed of on the floor, next to tables, and under chairs.
Drug tests conducted on-site resulted in 79 individuals testing positive for narcotic substances.
Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Vien, head of the Drug Crime Investigation Police, added that the raid was meticulously planned, accounting for various potential scenarios such as power cuts, resistance against the police, or drug-induced delirium among users, which could lead to stampedes.
Following the raid, the Minister of Public Security called for an evaluation of the responsibility of local police departments for allowing the bar to flourish as a drug hotspot.
As of now, the Phuong Lam bar remains closed pending further investigation.
