Vietnamese Woman Arrested as Alleged 'Collector' in Drugstore Theft Ring That Stole Over 4,000 Medicine Items Worth ¥16.7 Million Across Tokyo and Six Prefectures
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A joint investigation team led by Kanagawa Prefectural Police announced by July 23, 2026 that it had arrested Tran Thi Xuan (49, transliteration), a Vietnamese national, on suspicion of theft. She is suspected of conspiring with accomplices to steal about 80,000 yen worth of medicine and other items from a drugstore in Kawasaki City in August 2025.
Investigators reportedly view Tran as having played the role of "collector," gathering items stolen by the shoplifting group. The stolen goods were reportedly stockpiled at a base in Chiba Prefecture and may have subsequently been shipped to Vietnam. The group's thefts are believed to span Tokyo and six prefectures, totaling around 4,700 items — including medicines — worth an estimated 16.7 million yen.
Current status: As of this writing, it is not yet known whether she will be referred for prosecution or indicted. Investigations into the full scope of the group and any additional offenses are ongoing; this article will be updated as further details become available.
Other reported cases of organized shoplifting-and-resale schemes involving foreign nationals include a Vietnamese theft ring whose ringleader, based in Vietnam, has yet to be apprehended (related coverage). Such cases repeatedly point to the existence of organized shoplifting groups with routes for shipping stolen goods overseas.