Key Concepts
- Khí N2O (Khí Cười): Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, used recreationally.
- Múa Lửa: Fire dancing performance.
- Bóng Cười: Balloons filled with N2O for recreational inhalation.
- Đào Nam/Đào Nữ: Male and female performers/entertainers.
- Trốn Thuế: Tax evasion.
Summary of Karaoke Raid and Illegal Operations
The Criminal Police Department of Hanoi City Police recently raided a karaoke establishment that was illegally operating and selling N2O, also known as laughing gas. This establishment had been a hub for entertainment for many years.
Illegal Activities Discovered
Upon inspection, law enforcement discovered that the karaoke facility was engaged in the sale of laughing gas and offering fire dancing services. At the time of the raid, all karaoke rooms were occupied by customers who were being served with balloons filled with laughing gas and fire dancing performances upon request.
Pricing and Service Structure
Each service had a different price. Fire dancing was a separate paid service. The pricing for laughing gas balloons was determined by the management and staff. A cylinder of laughing gas cost approximately 3 million to 3.5 million VND, while a fire dancing performance cost around 2.5 million VND per session.
Deception and Concealment Tactics
To conceal their illegal activities involving laughing gas and fire dancing, the operators used euphemisms such as "shrimp," "cherry," or "fruit" instead of explicitly mentioning the prohibited services. This was done to obscure the illicit nature of their operations.
Organizational Structure and Roles
Tuấn, the owner of the karaoke establishment, managed hundreds of employees. These employees were assigned various roles, including customer service, managing performers ("điều đảo"), supplying laughing gas balloons, and assisting with financial transactions. Phương was responsible for procuring the laughing gas. When customers requested laughing gas, Phương would arrange for 10 to 20 cylinders to be brought to the establishment and distributed to the rooms for customer use.
Evidence of Illegal Operations
The suspects had printed invoices for the establishment's services using alternative names to disguise their illegal activities. Furthermore, the cylinders of laughing gas were kept hidden and camouflaged in the basement of the karaoke bar. Specifically, they were stored behind a fire safety cabinet in the basement.
Financial Scale and Profitability
The monthly revenue of the establishment reached billions of Vietnamese dong. The fire dancing service, in particular, generated high profits.
Additional Illegal Activities and Exploitation
During the investigation, it was revealed that some of the male and female performers ("đào nam và đào nữ") were illegally using narcotics. Their performances included singing, dancing, and in some instances, nudity. Performers earned between several hundred thousand to several million Vietnamese dong per shift, depending on the amount of tips received from customers. However, 20% of these tips were deducted by the establishment and management. For fire dancing, performers received 2.5 million VND per session from customers, of which they took home 1.5 million VND, with 1 million VND going to the establishment.
Tax Evasion and Legal Ramifications
The establishment had been operating since 2009 and showed signs of tax evasion amounting to billions of Vietnamese dong. Law enforcement confiscated nearly a hundred cylinders of laughing gas and hundreds of mobile phones. Following verification, the investigative agency has initiated criminal proceedings, indicting the suspects and continuing to expand the investigation to identify and prosecute other individuals involved in accordance with the law.
Conclusion
This karaoke establishment was a sophisticated operation engaged in multiple illegal activities, including the sale of N2O (laughing gas), the provision of fire dancing services, drug use, and significant tax evasion. The owners employed elaborate methods to conceal their operations and exploit their staff. The recent raid and subsequent legal actions highlight the authorities' commitment to combating such illicit entertainment venues.
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