Authorities in Vietnam have arrested a man for organizing and hosting a birthday party fueled by illegal drugs at a karaoke bar last Thursday.
Nguyen Duy Khuong, 20, was caught during a raid at a karaoke bar in the Hai Ha District of Quang Ninh Province on January 10, VN Express reported. Nine men and a woman were found to be under the influence of drugs.
The 10 confessed to having a “drug party” to celebrate Nguyen’s birthday.
It was revealed that Nguyen had organised the party and purchased 10 synthetic drug pills for 7 million Vietnamese dong (US$302) for people attending the celebration.
The party-goers were fined for the use of illegal drugs and Nguyen was arrested under the charge of “organizing the illegal use of narcotics”— a crime punishable by death in the country.
In December, another “drug party” was raided by the police in Ha Tinh Province. White-collar professionals including a banker, a teacher and an accountant were arrested.
About 1,600 people overdose on drugs in Vietnam every year, with an estimated US$93.7 million being spent on purchasing drugs.