The suspects include four Singaporeans, four Malaysians, and two Taiwanese.

Malaysian national Hoo Jia How, 30, and Singaporean Melvin Tan Junjie, 30, were identified as the alleged ringleaders, HCMC Police Department's Drug Crime Investigation Division (PC04) announced Friday in their crackdown against the production and distribution of drug-laced electronic cigarettes, commonly known as "pod chill."

A foreign suspect (C) is caught for lacing drugs into e-cigarettes in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo by police

Police began investigating the network in early July after detecting signs of its operation. Following weeks of surveillance, dozens of officers simultaneously raided a rented house on Cong Quynh Street in Cau Ong Lanh Ward, arresting the two leaders.

They seized 1,331 e-cigarette pods and 140 ml of Etomidate-laced e-liquid used to fill them.

Expanding the investigation, police arrested Singaporean Oh Jang Fong, who is accused of supplying the Etomidate-containing liquid to the group.

Evidence seized in the case. Photo by police

According to the police, Melvin and Hoo collected the drug-laced liquid from Oh Jang Fong before taking it to the rented house, where they injected it into vape pods.

The products were then distributed to Vietnamese and foreign customers. Many buyers allegedly resold the products or organized drug use.

Police later dismantled two additional distribution networks for the drug-laced e-cigarettes, allegedly run by two Vietnamese nationals, Le Ton Nu Diem Thuy, 23, and Tran Dinh Canh, 24.

In total, officers seized nearly 2,000 drug-laced vape pods and 140 ml of Etomidate e-liquid.

Marketed as 'won't show up on drug tests"

Etomidate is an anesthetic used in medicine but has been mixed into e-cigarette liquid for illicit use. Since Jan. 19, it has been classified as a narcotic in Vietnam.

According to HCMC police, Etomidate-laced vape pods are often promoted with claims that "it won't show up on drug tests" or "it's not a drug," misleading users into believing the products are safe.

Vietnamese and foreign suspects in a drug-laced vape network busted in HCMC. Photo by police

When inhaled, Etomidate is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream and affects the brain.

Users may initially experience relaxation and euphoria but can soon become extremely drowsy, with impaired awareness, poor concentration, slowed reflexes, dizziness, slurred speech, and difficulty walking.

In severe cases, the substance can cause confusion, disorientation, seizures, impaired consciousness, respiratory depression, low blood pressure, and even death.