Authorities arrest gang leader who ran a gambling ring using firearms.
Cao Nguyen Thien Huu, 30 years old, gathered many gang members who used guns, organized inter-provincial football betting rings, and engaged in debt collection.
On December 14th, Huu, Ngo Vinh Quang, Ho Chi Phuc (all 31 years old), Nguyen Thi Kim Hue (40 years old), and several others were arrested by the Criminal Police Department (PC02) of the Ho Chi Minh City Police for their involvement in criminal activities.Organizing gambling;Gamble.
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Cao Nguyen Thien Huu (second from the left) and his accomplices. Photo:Nhat Vy |
Over two months ago, police discovered a gang in Ho Chi Minh City organizing online gambling. These individuals frequently changed residences, had close ties with notorious figures in several neighboring provinces and cities, and showed signs of involvement in organized crime.
After a period of surveillance, PC02 split into 8 teams, simultaneously searching multiple locations and arresting Huu and his accomplices; seizing several handguns and many related items and assets.
According to investigators, Huu was the ringleader of this gang. When the 2022 World Cup began, he contacted several gambling "bosses" to obtain a master account, then, together with his subordinates, divided the funds and distributed them to lower-level agents and players.
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A gang organizing gambling activities has been arrested. (Photo:)Nhat Vy |
During his activities, Huu gathered many influential followers. Among them, Ngo Vinh Quang was a former member of a criminal gang specializing in gambling and loan sharking, led by Vu "Bong Hong" (aka Lam Thanh Vu), which was dismantled by the Ministry of Public Security in early 2019. After serving his prison sentence, Quang joined Huu's gang.
Quang's job was to help Huu fight for gambling territories, provide protection, and collect debts. In many cases, Quang used a handgun to intimidate debtors into paying their debts.
"This group is mostly made up of drug addicts, so they are very violent," an investigating officer said.
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One of the military-grade weapons belonging to Cao Nguyen Thien Huu's gang. Photo:Nhat Vy |
To evade the police, primarily the Cyber Security department, Huu's group communicated using foreign apps; they frequently changed their gambling transaction accounts and transferred money using pre-agreed symbols.
Ho Chi Minh City police are expanding their investigation and pursuing those involved in Huu's gang.
