A local traffic policeman uses a breathalyzer to test the alcohol level of a driver in this file photo. The Road-Railway Traffic Police Division (PC08) on January 23 launched a drug testing campaign at Cat Lai Port in HCMC, finding two out of 23 truck drivers positive for drugs - PHOTO: VNA

HCMC - The Road-Railway Traffic Police Division (PC08), under the HCMC Department of Police, yesterday morning launched a drug testing campaign at Cat Lai Port in the city. Two out of 23 truck drivers tested positive for drugs, the local media reported.

The two drivers were identified as L.Đ.P, 30, residing in Binh Duong Province, and N.G.Q, 28, from Nghe An Province. The police also discovered a self-defense tool in the truck of P. Both suspects were taken to the police station of Cat Lai Ward for further questioning.

Chu Thanh Hung, head of the Cat Lai Ward’s Police agency, said that the police would run background investigations on the drivers who tested positive for drugs. The drivers will receive administrative fines and those with a confirmed fixed accommodation have been placed under the supervision of their families and local authorities. Those without fixed accommodation will be sent to drug detox centers.

The police continued to perform drug tests on 33 other drivers on the afternoon of the same day and one of them tested positive, while a machete was found in another container truck’s cabin.

Earlier, five days after the launch of the breath and drug testing campaign, PC08 had reviewed more than 3,000 drivers. No drivers were found doing drugs, while nearly 300 drivers were found to be drink driving and some 30 automobiles and over 250 motorbikes were temporarily seized for traffic rule violations.

During the campaign, between January 15 and February 15, PC08 will focus on checking the drivers of passenger coaches, delivery trucks, container trucks, small cars and motorcycles from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily.

Recent deadly traffic accidents in the Long An and Hai Duong provinces that claimed 12 lives in total and injured many others have provoked public concern. The two drivers that caused the accidents tested positive for drugs.