Two trailer truck drivers tested positive for drugs on Wednesday as Ho Chi Minh City police began the second phase of a month-long comprehensive inspection aimed at tackling driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol and ensuring traffic safety.

Officers conducted administrative inspections and performed specialized tests on 23 drivers of container trucks at Cat Lai Port in District 2 from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm.

Some drivers were more than happy to cooperate, while others were rather upset, saying the inspections were unnecessary.

Among them, 31-year-old L.D.P. and 28-year-old N.N.Q. tested positive for drugs, and another truck driver failed to present his license.

Both P. and Q., however, denied consuming any stimulant, explaining that they had only taken some cough medicine prior to the tests.

An employee of a local medical center carries out tests at Cat Lai Port. Photo: Son Binh / Tuoi Tre

According to Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Thuy, deputy chief of the traffic police unit at Cat Lai, the drivers were given clinical urine tests, which were carried out by personnel from a local medical center.

The two allegedly drugged drivers were then escorted to the police station for further verification, Lt. Col. Thuy continued.

Another team of officers was dispatched to the Vietnam International Container Terminals (VICT) in District 7 on the same day.

Upon their inspection, officers found six out of 26 truck drivers not having a legitimate license, while none of them tested positive for drugs.

Officers make reports of violations after two drivers tested positive for drugs. Photo: Son Binh / Tuoi Tre

The examinations were part of Ho Chi Minh City police’s large-scale plan to manage the consumption of alcohol and drugs among car, truck, and bus drivers as well as motorcyclists across the metropolis, which runs for a month ending February 15.

The first phase lasted for seven days, from January 15 to 22, during which officers examined drivers along major routes at the city’s entrances from 6:00 pm to 2:00 am on a daily basis.

About 3,416 drivers underwent quick saliva screening tests and only 291 of them were found driving under the influence of alcohol, while no one tested positive for drugs.

During the second phase, the focus is directed on examining drivers at the Mien Tay (Western) Bus Station in Binh Tan District, Mien Dong (Eastern) Bus Station in Binh Thanh District, and Cat Lai Port in District 2 with clinical urine tests.

Officers also keep their inspection schedule secret this time.

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