Dismantling transnational fireworks smuggling rings.
On August 6th, the Quỳnh Lưu District Police initiated legal proceedings against two individuals who were the ringleaders of a smuggling ring that imported fireworks from Cambodia to Vietnam for sale, seizing over 200 kg of various types of fireworks.
Previously, through intelligence gathering, the Quỳnh Lưu District Police discovered an individual who had repeatedly sold illegal fireworks in Quỳnh Lưu District and other provinces. Following up on related information, the district police quickly arrested Trần Vĩnh An (born in 2002), residing in Hồng Phú village, Quỳnh Hồng commune, for the crime of trading prohibited goods.
Through further investigation, authorities determined that this was a large-scale fireworks trafficking ring operating across multiple provinces, employing sophisticated and complex methods. An was merely a link in the distribution chain. The suspects communicated and negotiated prices entirely online, while transportation and delivery were handled through various shipping services across the country to minimize detection and intervention by law enforcement. The Quỳnh Lưu District Police quickly reported the matter to the Provincial Police leadership, establishing a special task force to combat the ring.
After a period of surveillance, understanding the methods and tactics, and identifying the opportune moment, on July 31st, the Quỳnh Lưu District Police arrived at the suspects' operating location in Tây Ninh province. In coordination with local police forces, they arrested two ringleaders: Nguyễn Minh Hải (born in 2002), residing in Thạnh Trung hamlet, Thạnh Tân commune, Tây Ninh city, and Hồ Trần Xuân Nam (born in 1979), residing in Tân Lâm hamlet, Tân Hà commune, Tân Châu district, Tây Ninh province; seizing 213 kg of various types of firecrackers.
At the police station, the suspects confessed to smuggling fireworks from Cambodia into Vietnam through the Chang Riệc border gate in Tan Bien district, Tay Ninh province. They used the Zalo social network to collude with other individuals and sell the fireworks in many provinces and cities to make a profit.
Ho Tran Xuan Nam was serving a suspended sentence for the crime of possessing prohibited goods. During the arrest, Nam fiercely resisted in an attempt to escape; however, the authorities quickly subdued him and seized all the evidence.
