Police in Ho Chi Minh City have carried out an inspection of multiple trailer truck drivers over the past few days, after which several tested positive for drugs and were slapped with a fine or sent to local rehab centers.
Officers examined 30 drivers and driver assistants of container trucks in Truong Tho Ward, Thu Duc District on Sunday afternoon.
The inspection took place for about two hours, during which they were given a clinical urine test.
The result revealed that four people had consumed drugs before driving.
In one specific case, Nguyen Cong Thien, a 28-year-old truck driver, and his assistant, 19-year-old Le Ngoc Bao, both tested positive for drugs.
Officers also found a machete and several tools commonly used in the consumption of synthetic drugs inside their vehicle.
A similar inspection also took place in the neighborhood on Saturday afternoon, after which three drivers tested positive for narcotics.
Another driver was caught using a fake license.
According to an officer, the drivers who were found using drugs were escorted to the police station to have their identity verified.
Those who have a legitimate place of residence were slapped with a fine and will be subject to regular supervision from local authorities.
The others were sent to a rehabilitation center in Cu Chi District in the same city.
The inspection followed a serious accident in the Mekong Delta province of Long An on January 2, when a container truck crashed into 21 motorbikes stopping at a red light.
Four people were killed and 18 others injured in the crash.
The 32-year-old truck driver later tested positive for heroine and alcohol.
Khuat Viet Hung, vice-chairman of the National Committee for Traffic Safety, said he would ask authorities in all provinces and cities to beef up their management and inspection of container truck and passenger bus drivers regarding the use of drugs and alcohol in the first quarter of this year.
According to a report on Tuoi Tre